The Indian Rebellion
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how, following the Indian Rebellion in 1857, Britain increased its control over India by making it a Crown Colony governed by a Viceroy.
Key learning points
- By the 1850s, most of the Indian subcontinent was under the control of the East India Company.
- The unpopular 'doctrine of lapse' was introduced which allowed Britain to control more Indian territory.
- The Indian Rebellion took place in 1857 and represented a serious challenge to British rule.
- British soldiers defeated the Indian rebellion and India became a Crown Colony governed by a viceroy.
Keywords
Rebellion - an act of rising up against rulers or authority
Viceroy - a person who governs a territory on behalf of a sovereign
Crown Colony - a colony administered by the British government within the British Empire
Common misconception
India was totally controlled by the East India Company at the time of the Indian Rebellion in 1857.
Two-thirds of India was controlled by the East India Company at the time of the Indian Rebellion in 1857.
Teacher tip
Ensure students are aware that even though they fought in the army of the British East India Company, Indian sepoys were far from content with the treatment they were receiving, leading to them revolting.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word describes an Indian soldier serving in the British or another European order?
Q2.Which word describes a native governor during the time of the Mughal Empire?
Q3.Which famous conquerors invaded India?
Q4.Under whose rule did the power of the Mughals decrease?
Q5.What was the British East India Company (EIC) granted in 1600?
Q6.Put the following events in chronological order.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word describes an act of rising up against rulers or authority?
Q2.Which word describes a person who governs a territory on behalf of a sovereign?
Q3.Which actions did the East India Company (EIC) undertake in India, causing resentment of British rule?
Q4.Put the following events in chronological order.
Q5.How much of India was controlled by the EIC at the time of the Indian Rebellion in 1857?
Q6.What was the Indian Rebellion of 1857 known as in India?
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: The Indian Rebellion, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: The Indian Rebellion, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
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