The Revolt of 1857 was the beginning of the independence struggle against the colonial rule of the British. With reference to the consequences of the Revolt, answer the following:
State any three policies promised to Indians in Queen Victoria’s Proclamation.
Topic: Queen Victoria's Proclamation
Answer
(1) The policy of ANNEXATION was abandoned. The rights, dignity and honour of the Indian princes were to be respected, and the treaties made with them by the Company would be scrupulously honoured; the Doctrine of Lapse was given up and adoption recognised. (2) There would be no interference in the religious beliefs and practices of the Indian people; all would enjoy equal protection of the law regardless of religion. (3) Indians would be admitted to the services of the government freely and impartially, without distinction of race or creed, the only test being education, ability and integrity; and a general amnesty was granted to all who had taken part in the Revolt, except those guilty of murder.
One mark per promise. The Proclamation was read out by Lord Canning at Allahabad on 1 November 1858 — worth stating in your opening line. The three promises answer the three great grievances of 1857: annexation, interference with religion, and exclusion from office. Making that link shows understanding rather than recall. The honest closing line, if you have room: many of these promises were not kept in practice, which is why nationalist leaders later quoted the Proclamation back at the British.