Consider the following statements regarding the British policy in Awadh immediately after its annexation in 1856 :
- 1.The taluqdars were dispossessed of their estates but allowed to retain their arms and forts.
- 2.A Summary Revenue Settlement was made in 1856 assuming that the taluqdars were outsiders.
- 3.The British believed in taking revenue directly from the peasants by removing the taluqdars.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Show answer
Answer: A. Statement 1 is wrong: after annexation the taluqdars were disarmed and their forts destroyed. Statement 2 is correct: the Summary Settlement of 1856 treated taluqdars as outsiders with no lasting rights. Statement 3 is correct: the British wanted to remove taluqdars and collect revenue directly from peasants. So 2 and 3 only.
Watch for: Students mix up post-1856 policy with the British reconciliation with taluqdars after the 1857 revolt.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Wrong because the taluqdars were disarmed and their forts demolished.
- C. Wrong because statement 1 is false.
- D. Wrong because statement 3 is also correct.
Source to check: NCERT Class 12 'Themes in Indian History Part III', Chapter 11 'Rebels and the Raj' (section on Awadh)
Answer from the provisional UPSC key; it may change when the final key is out. Written and fact-checked by AI against the official key. Spotted a mistake? Report it.