CBSE Class 8 Answered

Awadh after the signing of the Subsidiary Alliance System, had become a subordinate state. Later in 1856, it was annexed by the Company on the basis of misgovernance. The Nawab of Awadh- Wajid Ali shah was exiled to Calcutta. The people of Awadh were symphthetic to their king and the queen whose powers were taken away. there was widespread sorrow and distress among the people of all the age groups in Awadh. The land settlement revenues of the British also created the feeling of dissatisfaction among the people of Awadh.

It were due to the above reasons that when the revolt first broke out in Delhi and the surrounding areas, it also simultaneousely broke out in Awadh. Begum Hazrat Mahal provided leadership and inspiration to the people to revolt against the tyrannical British rule. The people of Awadh due to their participation in the revolt inspired the people in the other terrtitories.

Awadh thus occupy a great place in the history of British India. It was a buffer state for the British before 1856. The Company earned substantial revenues from the state and in 1857, it had to fight hard to supress the people's rebellion.