Describe the 'Hindi-Urdu Controversy'.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2023). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. (a) it took place in 1867
2. (a) Hindus demanded Hindi be the official language [1] not Urdu [1]
3. (a) Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and members of the Muslim community saw this as an attack on their rights [1] as it had a special meaning to them [1]
4. (a) Hindu members of Sir Syed's Scientific Society [1] wanted their journal published in Hindi [1]
5. (a) there was a growing belief that interests of Hindus clashed with those of Muslims
6. (a) this led to Sir Syed's Two Nation Theory
7. (b) Aurangzeb introduced a tax called Jizya on non-Muslims alongside existing taxes on Muslims
8. (b) taxation was kept high
9. (b) the fighting of the Deccan Wars was expensive
10. (b) the military lacked investment
11. (b) some measures ensured that people lived their lives according to Islamic traditions
12. (c) some princes were fearful of losing British support
13. (c) some rulers supported the British, supplying them with the weapons and men
14. (c) Kashmir was uninterested in helping the rebellion
15. (c) different Indian groups found it difficult to put aside their differences
16. (c) there was an absence of a common aim/ the aim of the War was unclear
17. (c) British troops were well-trained and disciplined
18. (c) British troops had modern weapons
19. (c) the British army were experienced
20. (c) British army leaders were skilled strategists/diplomats