The Great Uprising of 1857 was an important event which produced far-reaching results for freedom. Explain with reference to the following points :

(a) The changes introduced in the administrative set up of the British territory in India.

(b) The rights granted to the Indian princes and people.

(a) The changes introduced in the administrative set up of the British territory in India are:

1. In 1858, the British crown took direct control, ending the rule of the East India Company. The Board of Control was abolished and the Board of Directors was stripped of all it powers. A Secretary of State was appointed to look after the administration of India.
2. A 15 member Council, eight of whose members were appointed by the Queen and seven by the Directors of the Company, was constituted to aid and advise the Secretary of State. His office was in London but all his expenditures were met by the Indian Government.
3. The Governor-General became the Viceroy, representing the crown.
4. The British government thought it wise to follow the policy of appeasent towards the Indian princes and decided to honour all the treaties previously made with the East India Company.

(b) The British government followed the policy of appeasement towards the Indian princes and started using the policy of Divide and Rule.

1. The British decided to honour all the treaties entered by the Indian rulers with the East India Company, to try win back the trust of the princes.
2. Indian princes were assured that their kingdoms would never be annexed.
3. The Doctrine of Lapse was given a final goodbye and the Indian rulers were allowed the right of adoption.
4. They were also assured that there would be no interference in their internal matters except in case of misgovernance.
5. All these princes who had helped the British during this Uprising were decorated with big honours and rewarded fabulously to seek their appeasement.