Read the passage and answer the question :
The annexation displaced not just the Nawab. It also dispossessed the taluqdars of the region. The country side of Awadh was dotted with the estates and forts of taluqdars who for many generations had controlled land and power in the countryside. Before the coming of the British, taluqdars maintained armed retainers, built forts and enjoyed a degree of autonomy, as long as they accepted the suzerainty of the Nawab and paid the revenue of their taluqs. Some of the bigger taluqdars had as many as 12,000 foot-soldiers and even the smaller ones had about 200. The British were unwilling to tolerate the power of the taluqdars. Immediately after the annexation, the taluqdars were disarmed and their forts destroyed.
Why did the British disarm the 'Taluqdars' and destroy their forts?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → To down-size the might and autonomy of this class so that British power can be established.
Before the British came, the taluqdars kept armed retainers, built forts and enjoyed a degree of autonomy; the bigger ones had as many as 12,000 foot-soldiers. The British were unwilling to tolerate the power of the taluqdars, so immediately after the annexation the taluqdars were disarmed and their forts destroyed.
Option (2) To help the Nawab to rule over Awadh more firmly. — Incorrect. The annexation had already displaced the Nawab, who was dethroned and exiled to Calcutta. There was no Nawab left for the British to help.
Option (3) To introduce reforms in the armies of the Taluqdars. — Incorrect. The British did not reform these armed bands; they took away their arms altogether and pulled down their forts.
Option (4) To unburden the Taluqdars from financial and military responsibilities. — Incorrect. The step was meant to weaken the taluqdars, not to relieve them. The British land revenue policy further undermined their position, and the Summary Settlement of 1856 removed them wherever possible.
NCERT (2026-27): “2.3 Firangi raj and the end of a world … The annexation displaced not just the Nawab. It also dispossessed the taluqdars of the region. The countryside of Awadh was dotted with the estates and forts of taluqdars who for many generations had controlled land and power in the countryside. Before the coming of the British, taluqdars maintained armed retainers, built forts, and enjoyed a degree of autonomy, as long as they accepted the suzerainty of the Nawab and paid the revenue of their taluqs. Some of the bigger taluqdars had as many as 12,000 foot-soldiers and even the smaller ones had about 200. The British were unwilling to tolerate the power of the taluqdars. Immediately after the annexation, the taluqdars were disarmed and their forts destroyed.…” |