Answer in three or four sentences.

(a) State the effects of the uprising of 1857?

(b) Why did the British organize the Indian Army?

(a) The Revolt of 1857 had far-reaching effects –

1. The rulers in Britain realized that the British power in India was not in safe hands and therefore the British Parliament took charge of the Indian affairs, abolishing the rule of East India Company.

2. Queen Victoria of England issued a proclamation stating a series of changes. Declaring Indians as her subjects, she promised non-interference in religious matters, honour of the treaties made with Indian princes and no annexation of states in future.

3. The British Army was reorganized to prevent Indian soldiers from coming together and rising in rebellion again in future.

4. Several internal policy changes were also made in the path of following the main policy of “Divide and Rule” i.e. dividing Indian people and creating discontent amongst them.

(b) After the revolt of 1857, the rulers in Britain realized the need to establish greater as well as systematic control over the Army. Following the uprising, the Indian battalions were rearranged on the basis of caste in order to prevent them from coming together and rising in rebellion once again.