Question

The attitude of the taluqdars was best expressed by Hanwant Singh, the Raja of Kalakankar, near Rae Bareli. During the mutiny, Hanwant Singh had given shelter to a British officer and conveyed him to safety. While taking leave of the officer, Hanwant Singh told him: Sahib, your countrymen came into this country and drove out our King. You sent your officers round the districts to examine the titles to the estates. At one blow you took from me lands which from time immemorial had been in my family. I submitted. Suddenly misfortune fell upon you. The people of the land rose against you. You came to me whom you had despoiled. I have saved you. But now – now I march at the head of my retainers to Lucknow to try and drive you from the country

What does this excerpt tell you about the attitude of the taluqdars? Who did Hanwant Singh mean by the people of the land? What reason does Hanwant Singh give for the anger of the people?

Answer 1

1. The excerpt shows that the taluqdars were angry with the British because their power and lands had been taken away.
2. Hanwant Singh says that the British had driven out their king and had taken control of the region.
3. He also says that the British had taken away lands that had remained in his family for many generations.
4. By the “people of the land,” Hanwant Singh meant the local people of Awadh, including peasants, taluqdars and others living in the region.
5. According to him, the people were angry because the British had deprived them of their rights, land and traditional authority.
6. He says that this anger caused the people to rise against British rule.
7. Even though Hanwant Singh helped a British officer escape, he made it clear that he still intended to fight against the British.

Thus, the excerpt shows that the taluqdars strongly resented British rule because it had weakened their position and disturbed the old social and political order.