QUESTION: Discuss the resentment of the rulers of the native state against the British which was a major factor in the 1857 Revolt
ANSWER: The last Mughal Emperor was Bahadur Shah. Lord Canning announced that Bahadur Shah’s successor would not be allowed to use the imperial title. Such a discourtesy to the Mughal Emperor hurt Muslim sentiments considerably. Dalhousie’s refusal to grant pension to Nana Saheb, the adopted son of the ex-Peshwa (Baji Rao II) was resented by the Hindus in general and Nana Saheb in particular. Nawab Wazid Ali Shah was deposed on the ground that Awadh was not being managed well. The annexation of Awadh was a case of high-handedness on the part of the Company. The Nawab of Awadh had been loyal to the Company for a long time. The British broke all their pledges and promises to the native rulers. This all caused resentment among the rulers.
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