Glimpses of the Past

Before you read

Here are some pictorial glimpses of the history of our country from 1757 to 1857. These pictures and ‘speech bubbles’ will help clarify your understanding of the conditions that led to the event known as the First War of Independence in 1857.

1. the martyrs

 

2. The Company’s conquests (1757-1849)

3. British Rule (1765-1836)

Comprehension Check

1. Look at picture 1 and recall the opening lines of the original song in Hindi. Who is the singer? Who else do you see in this picture?

2. In picture 2 what do you understand by the Company’s “superior weapons”?

3. Who is an artisan? Why do you think the artisans suffered? (picture 3)

4. Which picture, according to you, reveals the first sparks of the fire of revolt?

Answer the following questions.

1. Do you think the Indian princes were short-sighted in their approach to the events of 1757?

2. How did the East India Company subdue the Indian princes?

3. Quote the words used by Ram Mohan Roy to say that every religion teaches the same principles.

4. In what ways did the British officers exploit Indians?

5. Name these people.

(i) The ruler who fought pitched battles against the British and died fighting.

(ii) The person who wanted to reform the society.

(iii) The person who recommended the introduction of English education in India.

(iv) Two popular leaders who led the revolt (Choices may vary.)

6. Mention the following.

(i) Two examples of social practices prevailing then.

(ii) Two oppressive policies of the British.

(iii) Two ways in which common people suffered.

(iv) Four reasons for the discontent that led to the 1857 War of Independence.

In comics what the characters speak is put in bubbles. This is direct narration. When we report what the characters speak, we use the method of indirect narration.

Study these examples.

First farmer: Why are your men taking away the entire crop?

Second farmer: Your men have taken away everything.

Officer: You are still in arrears. If you don’t pay tax next week, I’ll send you to jail.

 The first farmer asked the officer why his men were taking away the entire crop.

 The second farmer said that their men had taken away everything.

 The officer replied that they were still in arrears and warned them that if they did not pay tax the following week, he (the officer) would send them (the farmers) to jail.

1. Change the following sentences into indirect speech.

(i) First man: We must educate our brothers.

Second man: And try to improve their material conditions.

Third man: For that we must convey our grievances to the British Parliament.

The first man said that ______________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

The second man added that _______________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

The third man suggested that ________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

(ii) First soldier: The white soldier gets huge pay, mansions and servants.

Second soldier: We get a pittance and slow promotions.

Third soldier: Who are the British to abolish our customs?

The first soldier said that ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

The second soldier remarked that __________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

The third soldier asked __________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

1. Playact the role of farmers who have grievances against the policies
of the government. Rewrite their ‘speech bubbles’ in dialogue form first.

2. Look at the pictures.

(i) Ask one another questions about the pictures.

 Where is the fox?  How did it happen?

 What is the fox thinking?  Who is the visitor?

 What does she want to know?  What is the fox’s reply?

 What happens next?  Where is the goat?

 Where is the fox now?  What is the goat thinking?

(ii) Write the story in your own words. Give it a title.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

3. Read the following news item.

Based on this news item, write a paragraph on what you think about this new method of teaching history.

4. Find the chapters in your history book that correspond to the episodes and events described in this comic. Note how the information contained in a few chapters of history has been condensed to a few pages with the help of pictures and ‘speech bubbles’.

5. Create a comic of your own using this story.

Once the Sun and the Wind began to quarrel, each one saying that he was stronger than the other. At last they decided to test each other’s strength. A man with a cloak around his shoulders was passing by. The Wind boasted, “Using my strength I can make that man take off the cloak.” The Sun agreed. The Wind blew hard. The man felt so cold that he clasped his cloak round his body as tightly as possible.

His coat is dusty from neglect, his whiskers are uncombed.

He sways his head from side to side, with movements like a snake;

And when you think he’s half asleep, he’s always wide awake.

Macavity, Macavity, there’s no one like Macavity,

For he’s a fiend in feline shape, a monster of depravity.

You may meet him in a by-street, you may see him in the square —

But when a crime’s discovered, then Macavity’s not there!

T.S. Eliot

defy:

disobey or resist openly

Scotland Yard:

the headquarters of the London police force

Flying Squad:

a group of police or soldiers ready to move into action quickly

levitation:

floating in the air without support

fiend:

devil

feline:

 of, or relating to, a cat

depravity:

moral corruption