Which of the following were important changes that were introduced by the British after the revolt of 1857?
(A) The British Government accepted direct responsibility for ruling India.
(B) It was decided that all the territories of Indian rulers would be annexed immediately.
(C) The proportion of Indian soldiers in the army would be reduced and European soldiers would be increased.
(D) It was to protect landlords and zamindars and give them security of rights over their lands.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → (A), (C) and (D) Only
After the revolt of 1857 the British changed the way they ruled India, so that such a rising would not happen again. The changes aimed to take direct control, keep the army safe and win over the princes and landlords.
(A) The British Government accepted direct responsibility for ruling India. Correct. The Government of India Act, 1858 transferred power from the East India Company to the British Crown. A Secretary of State in Britain took charge of Indian affairs, and the Governor-General was given the title of Viceroy.
(B) It was decided that all the territories of Indian rulers would be annexed immediately. Incorrect. It was the opposite: the ruling chiefs were assured that their territory would never be annexed in future, and they could pass their kingdoms to their heirs, including adopted sons, as long as they accepted the British Queen as their sovereign.
(C) The proportion of Indian soldiers in the army would be reduced and European soldiers would be increased. Correct. The army was reorganised: there were fewer Indian and more European soldiers, and soldiers were recruited from groups such as the Gurkhas, Sikhs and Pathans rather than from Awadh, Bihar and central India.
(D) It was to protect landlords and zamindars and give them security of rights over their lands. Correct. The British adopted policies to protect landlords and zamindars and secure their rights over their lands, to keep them loyal.