Q.Read the given source carefully and answer the questions that follow : (1+1+2=4) The Nawab has left Another song mourned the plight of the ruler who had to leave his motherland : Noble and peasant all wept together and all the world wept and wailed Alas! The chief has bidden adieu to his country and gone abroad. (33.1) What was the immediate impact of the removal of the Nawab ?
You're viewing a preview — the full solution, concept, methods & PYQ mapping are locked.
Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →The removal of the Nawab of Awadh caused immediate economic and social collapse, emotional upheaval because he was a beloved paternal figure, and the annexation fit the British strategy of consolidating control over a rich, strategically vital region under the Doctrine of Lapse and administrative pretext.
1. Immediate impact of the removal of the Nawab
The Nawab’s removal left a power vacuum that the British filled with direct rule. The immediate impact was the collapse of the traditional patronage system — the court, the nobility, and the thousands of artisans, musicians, and servants who depended on the Nawab’s generosity lost their livelihoods. The British administration imposed heavy taxes, dismantled local industries, and introduced alien legal and revenue systems. This caused widespread economic distress and social disorientation among the people of Awadh.
2. Why was there emotional upheaval at the dethroning and departure of the Nawab?
The Nawab of Awadh was not just a ruler; he was seen as a paternal figure — a protector of culture, religion, and the old way of life. The people of Awadh had a deep emotional bond with him. His dethronement and exile (to Calcutta) symbolised the humiliation of their entire community and culture. The song quoted in the passage captures this grief: “Noble and peasant all wept together” — the loss was felt across all classes because the Nawab embodied the identity and dignity of Awadh itself.
A common mistake is to think the emotional upheaval was only about the Nawab as a person. In reality, it was about the symbolic destruction of a way of life — the courtly culture, the patronage of arts, and the sense of belonging to a sovereign state.
3. How did the annexation of Awadh fit into the British colonial strategy?
The annexation of Awadh in 1856 was a calculated move in the British strategy of territorial consolidation and economic exploitation. Here’s how it fit:
-
Strategic location: Awadh was the breadbasket of northern India — fertile, populous, and lying right between the British strongholds of Bengal and the Punjab. Controlling it gave the British a continuous land corridor and a rich source of revenue.
-
Doctrine of Lapse and pretext: The British used the Doctrine of Lapse (denying the right of adoption) and later the charge of “misgovernment” to justify annexation. Governor-General Dalhousie argued that the Nawab had failed to administer properly, so the British had a duty to take over — a classic colonial justification. …
Unlock everything free for 14 days
- Full step-by-step solutions
- Concept-first explanations
- Methods, shortcuts & mistakes
- PYQ mapping + timed mock tests
Full access for 14 days. No credit card required.