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Representations of 1857: NBSE Class 12 (Arts) History answers
Get summary, textual answers, solutions, notes, extras, PDF to NBSE Class 12 (Arts) History (Themes in Indian History) chapter 10 “Representations of 1857”. However, the educational materials should only be used for reference and students are encouraged to make necessary changes.
Introduction
The Revolt of 1857, also known as the First War of Indian Independence, marked a significant turning point in India’s struggle against British rule. This widespread uprising was a reaction to the British policies that led to political, economic, and social degeneration in the country. The British ruthlessly exploited Indian society, following expansionist policies that ruined the local cottage and handicraft industries, impoverished the nation, and led to numerous local revolts. Although these earlier uprisings, such as the Kutch Rebellion, the Kol uprising of 1831, and the Santhal uprising of 1858, were local in nature and easily suppressed, the Revolt of 1857 sowed the seeds for India’s eventual independence in 1947. Numerous sources offer insight into the events of the Mutiny, including official records, contemporary accounts, newspaper reports, and artistic representations. These sources help to piece together a comprehensive understanding of the Revolt of 1857, its causes, and its impact on the Indian freedom struggle.
Exercise/textual questions and answers
Very Short Answer Type Questions
1. Who led the freedom fighters at Jagdishpur?
Answer: Kunwar Singh
2. Who was the chief supporter of Nana Sahib?
Answer: Tantia Tope
3. Give the names of any two areas of South India where there were occurrences of revolts.
Answer: Hyderabad and Karnataka
4. Who committed atrocities on the sepoys at Ajnala?
Answer: Fredrick Cooper
5. Give the name of the writer who interpreted the Revolt of 1857 as a Muslim-organised revolt.
Answer: James Outram
Short Answer Type Questions
1. How did the British dispossess Taluqdars of Awadh during 1857? Explain with examples.
Answer: The British dispossessed Taluqdars of Awadh during 1857 by confiscating their lands and estates. The British administration accused the Taluqdars of harbouring rebels and used this as a pretext to take over their properties. This policy was implemented aggressively, leading to widespread resentment among the Taluqdars and their followers.
2. Examine how Lord Dalhousie’s policy of annexation created dissatisfaction amongst the people of Awadh.
Answer: Lord Dalhousie’s policy of annexation created dissatisfaction amongst the people of Awadh by undermining the traditional rights and privileges of the local rulers and nobility. His Doctrine of Lapse policy, which allowed the British to annex any princely state where the ruler did not have a direct heir, was seen as an arbitrary and unjust measure. This led to widespread anger and a sense of betrayal among the people of Awadh.
3. Describe the role of Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi in the uprising of 1857.
Answer: Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi played a pivotal role in the uprising of 1857. She became a symbol of resistance against British rule and led her troops with great courage and determination. Her leadership in the battles at Jhansi and later at Gwalior inspired many Indians to join the rebellion. Despite being outnumbered and facing a well-equipped British army, she fought valiantly until her death in battle.
4. Briefly describe the events of the uprising of 1857 in South India.
Answer: The events of the uprising of 1857 in South India were not as widespread as in the northern parts of the country. However, there were significant rebellions in certain areas such as Hyderabad, where the local rulers and the populace showed resistance to British authority. The uprisings in South India were marked by smaller skirmishes and localized conflicts rather than large-scale battles.
5. What were the views of the newspaper The Calcutta Hindoo Patriot about the reaction of common people to the rising of 1857?
Answer: The newspaper The Calcutta Hindoo Patriot expressed that the reaction of common people to the rising of 1857 was one of widespread support and participation. The newspaper highlighted the unity among different sections of Indian society in their opposition to British rule and their willingness to fight for their rights and freedom. It emphasized that the uprising was not just a mutiny of the sepoys but a broader movement involving the masses.
Long Answer Type Questions
1. Describe the main sources for constructing the history of the uprising of 1857.
Answer: The events of the Mutiny are recorded and narrated in both published and unpublished official records. They are also found in the accounts given by contemporary writers, military officers, and many scholars in the post-Mutiny period. Such works have been placed in the National Archives of India and in the Commonwealth Relations Office (formerly India Office) Library, London. The National Archives has published a list of Mutiny Papers in Urdu and Persian.
2. Describe the main events of the uprising of 1857 at Lucknow.
Answer: Revolt breaks out at Lucknow on May 30, 1857. This marks the beginning of the uprising in Lucknow. The sepoys and common people attacked the British Residency, leading to a prolonged siege. The British forces under Havelock and Outram entered the Residency in Lucknow on September 25, 1857. The siege continued for months, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides until the British finally regained control.
3. Write a note on Fredrick Cooper’s action at Ajnala.
Answer: Fredrick Cooper’s action at Ajnala involved the massacre of several hundred sepoys who had surrendered. After being sentenced to death by a Court Martial, they were blown from guns in the presence of a whole brigade. Cooper justified his action by stating that it was necessary to give an awful punishment to the mutineers to maintain British control. His actions met with immediate official approval, and he was commended for his decisive measures.
4. Why was the revolt particularly widespread in Awadh? What prompted the peasants, taluqdars, and zamindars to join the revolt?
Answer: The revolt was particularly widespread in Awadh because of the British annexation of the region and the subsequent dispossession of the taluqdars. The British officers examined the titles to the estates and confiscated lands that had been in families for generations. This created deep resentment among the taluqdars and zamindars. Additionally, the peasants were discontented due to heavy taxation and exploitation. These factors collectively prompted them to join the revolt against British rule.
5. Is it proper to call the uprising of 1857 as the First War of Indian Independence?
Answer: It is proper to call the uprising of 1857 the First War of Indian Independence because it was the first large-scale rebellion against British rule that involved various sections of Indian society. It was not just a sepoy mutiny but a widespread revolt that included native rulers, taluqdars, zamindars, peasants, and common people. Although it was eventually suppressed, it sowed the seeds of the Indian freedom struggle, leading to the eventual independence of India in 1947.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. When was temporary settlement system implemented under the British Empire?
A. 1850 B. 1852 C. 1856 D. 1860
Answer: C. 1856
2. The immediate cause of the 1857 revolt was:
A. cartridges consisting animal skin B. less wages of the soldiers C. exploiting policies of the British D. none of the above
Answer: A. cartridges consisting animal skin
3. What was the most important element of the revolt of 1857?
A. Leadership of Nana Saheb B. Support of Bahadur Shah Zafar II C. Hindu-Muslim Unity D. None of the above
Answer: C. Hindu-Muslim Unity
4. In December 1857, the British try to make the Hindus of Bareilly fight with the:
A. Muslims B. Sikhs C. Portuguese D. all of the above
Answer: A. Muslims
5. Where did the rebellions try to establish power and rule?
A. Delhi B. Lucknow C. Kanpur D. all the above
Answer: D. all the above
Competency-Based Questions
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Find out the chronological order of the events of the Revolt of 1857:
I. Subsidiary Alliance introduced by Wellesley in Awadh.
II. Nawab Wajid Ali Shah deposed.
III. Summary Revenue settlement introduced in Awadh by the British.
IV. Mutiny started in Meerut.
A. I, II, III, and IV
B. I, III, IV, and II
C. II, I, III, and IV
D. IV, I, II, and III
Answer: B. I, III, IV, and II
2. Which among the following is Correctly matched?
i. Delhi (A) Nana Saheb
ii. Kanpur (B) Kunwar Singh
iii. Arrah (C) Bahadur Shah
iv. Lucknow (D) Birjis Qadr
Answer: iii. Arrah (C) Bahadur Shah
3. Which of the following sources from the 19th century will NOT provide facts surrounding the events of the sepoy mutiny?
A. Articles from the Delhi Urdu Akhbar
B. Coins and jewellery used by people
C. Images from the Punch Magazine
D. The Azamgarh Proclamation
Answer: B. Coins and jewellery used by people
4. Match the following:
i. Implementation of subsidiary alliance in Awadh (A) 11-12 May, 1857
ii. Death of Rani Laxmi Bai in the battle (B) 30 May, 1857
iii. Rebellion in Lucknow (C) 1801
iv. Bahadur Shah accepted the symbolic leadership (D) 1858
A. (i) (D), (ii) (C), (iii) (A), (iv) (B)
B. (i) (A), (ii) (B), (iii) (C), (iv) (D)
C. (i) (B), (ii) (C), (iii) (D), (iv) (A)
D. (i) (C), (ii) (D), (iii) (B), (iv) (A)
Answer: D. (i) (C), (ii) (D), (iii) (B), (iv) (A)
5. The names of some notable individuals linked to the Indian uprising of 1857 are listed below, which among the following is CORRECTLY matched?
A. Lord Dalhousie – Viceroy of India
B. Wajid Ali Shah – Mughal Emperor
C. Shah Mal – Rebel leader of the Kol tribals
D. Nana Saheb – Successor to Peshwa Baji Rao II
Answer: D. Nana Saheb – Successor to Peshwa Baji Rao II
Case-based Questions
1. Read the following excerpt carefully and answer any three questions:
Rumours and prophecies played a part in moving people to action. The Sepoys who had arrived in Delhi from Meerut had told Bahadur Shah about the bullets coated with the fat of cow and pigs and that biting those bullets would corrupt their caste and religion. They were referring to the cartridges of the Enfield Rifles that had just been given to them. The British tried to explain to the Sepoys that this was not the case but the rumour of greased cartridge spread like wild fire across the Sepoy lines of North India.
(a) Why did the Sepoys march to Delhi from Meerut?
(i) The Governor General of East India Company lived in Delhi.
(ii) Delhi was the seat and symbol of Mughal authority.
(iii) Rani Lakshmi Bai urged the Sepoys to move to Delhi.
(iv) The greased cartridges were being made in Delhi.
Answer: (ii) Delhi was the seat and symbol of Mughal authority.
(b) How did the rumour of greased cartridges spread like wildfire across the cantonments?
(i) The cantonments were connected through the Telegraph Lines.
(ii) The cantonments published their own newspapers, in which this was reported.
(iii) This news was broadcasted on the Television.
(iv) All of the above.
Answer: (i) The cantonments were connected through the Telegraph Lines.
(c) Choose the correct option.
Assertion(A): According to the rumour the cartridges were greased with the fat of cows and pigs.
Reason(R): The Sepoys refused to use these cartridges because for Hindu Sepoys, cow was a revered animal and for the Muslims the pig was a hated animal.
(i) Both A and R are correct and R is the correct explanation of A.
(ii) Both A and R are correct but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(iii) A is incorrect but R is correct.
(iv) R is incorrect but A is correct.
Answer: (i) Both A and R are correct and R is the correct explanation of A.
(d) Consider the following statements:
(a) The greased cartridges were to be used in the new Enfield Rifles.
(b) The British officers tried to explain to the Sepoys that cartridges were not greased. It was just a rumour.
(i) Only (a) is correct.
(ii) Both (a) and (b) are correct.
(iii) Only (b) is correct.
(iv) Neither (a) nor (b) is correct.
Answer: (ii) Both (a) and (b) are correct.
2. What Taluqdars thought?
The attitude of the ‘taluqdars’ was best expressed by Hanwant Singh, the Raja of Kalakankar, neg Rae Bareli. During the mutiny, Hanwant Singh had given shelter to a British officer, and conveyed him to safety. While taking leave of the officer, Hanwant Singh told him. Sahib, your countrymen came into this country and drove out our king. You sent your officers round the districts to examine the titles to the estates. At one blow you took from me lands which from time immemorial had been in my family. I submitted. Suddenly misfortune fell upon you. The people of the land rose against you. You came to me whom you had despoiled. Ihave saved you. But now — now I march at the head of my retainers to Lucknow to try and drive you from the country.
a. Why were the people angry, according to Hanwant Singh? What happened to his family?
Answer: Sahib, your countrymen came into this country and drove out our king. You sent your officers round the districts to examine the titles to the estates. At one blow you took from me lands which from time immemorial had been in my family.
b. According to you, why did he save the British official?
Answer: Sahib, your countrymen came into this country and drove out our king. You sent your officers round the districts to examine the titles to the estates. At one blow you took from me lands which from time immemorial had been in my family. I submitted. Suddenly misfortune fell upon you. The people of the land rose against you. You came to me whom you had despoiled. I have saved you.
c. What happened under the Summary Settlement of 1856? Explain.
Answer: The British land revenue policy further gave a setback to the position and authority of the Taluqdars. In 1856, the British made revenue settlement (known as Summary Settlement) of Awadh. They assumed that the Taluqdars had established their hold over land through force and fraud. The summary settlement proceeded to remove the taluqdars wherever possible. In pre-British times, taluqdars had held 67 per cent of the total number of villages in Awadh but by the Summary Settlement, this number had come down to 38 per cent. The taluqdars of Southern Awadh were hit hardest because some of them lost more than half of the total number of the villages they had previously held.
d. What was the result of the dispossession of Taluqdars? Explain.
Answer: The dispossession of the taluqdars broke down the entire social order. The ties of loyalty and patronage that had bound the peasants with the taluqdars were shaken. In the pre-British times, though the taluqdars were oppressors, yet many of them were generous father figures. They helped the peasants in times of need. But under the British, there was no longer any guarantee that the British revenue officers would come to their rescue, or the collection of revenue demand of the state would be reduced or collection postponed in times of hardship or failure of crops.
Extra/additional questions and answers
1. What are some important sources for studying the events of the Mutiny?
Answer: Some important sources for studying the events of the Mutiny are:
- Official records and accounts in published and unpublished form found in the National Archives of India and Commonwealth Relations Office (formerly India Office) Library, London.
- Press list of Mutiny Papers in Urdu and Persian.
- Proceedings of the Foreign Department, Political and Secret, Home Department Public Proceedings, Military Department Proceedings, and Persian and Urdu papers recovered from the palace after the fall of Delhi.
- Punjab Government Record Office’s papers of Maulvi Rajab Ali, Persian and Urdu correspondence with Punjab princes, and manuscript collections entitled Naqal-i-Marasalajat and Naqal-i- Siqajat and Mutiny Papers styled as Intzam Mafsadan.
- West Bengal Record Office’s papers relating to Mutiny in Bihar and Rattray’s Sikhs, and the proceedings of trials preserved among the District Records of Bihar.
- Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh archives’ papers relating to the Uprising of 1857.
- India Office Library London’s four volumes of notes and documents used by Sir John Kaye (Home Misc. 724-27).
- Parliamentary Papers, British News Papers, and General Works.
2. What is the significance of the Revolt of May 1857 in Indian history?
Answer: The Revolt of May 1857 was significant in Indian history as it was the First War of Indian Independence. Although the revolt failed, it sowed the seeds of the freedom struggle, which ultimately led to India achieving independence in August 1947.
3. List three general works that can be used as sources for studying the events of the Mutiny.
Answer: Three general works are: (1) A Personal Journal of the Siege of Lucknow by Captain R.P. Anderson, (2) The Campaign in India (1857-58) by Captain G.F. Atkinson, and (3) Indian Gup: Untold Stories of the Indian Mutiny by Rev. J.R. Baldwin.
4. How do British paintings from the period contribute to our understanding of the events of the Mutiny?
Answer: British paintings from the period contribute to our understanding of the events of the Mutiny by visually capturing and depicting key moments and scenes from the uprising. Examples include Barker’s painting celebrating Campbell’s entry into Lucknow, Thomas Jones Barker’s 1859 painting of the relief of Lucknow, and Joseph Noel Paton’s “In Memorium,” painted two years after the Mutiny. These paintings provide visual representations of historical events and help us understand the emotions and experiences of the people involved, as well as the perspectives of the artists who created them.
Q. When and where did the uprising of 1857 begin, and who was the first martyr of the freedom struggle?
Answer: The uprising of 1857 began at Barrackpur in Bengal on 28th March. Mangal Pandey was the first martyr of the freedom struggle.
Q. What happened at Meerut on 9th May 1857?
Answer: On 9th May 1857, 85 sepoys of the Native Cavalry at Meerut refused to use the greased cartridges. They were court-martialled and sentenced to eight to ten years of imprisonment, sparking a general rising among the Indian soldiers stationed at Meerut.
Q. Describe the events that took place in Delhi during the uprising.
Answer: On 11th May, rebel sepoys from Meerut arrived at the gates of Red Fort in Delhi, proclaimed Bahadur Shah as the Emperor of India, and unfurled the Mughal banner. The local infantry and ordinary people joined them in killing their European officers and occupying the city. Later, the British laid siege to Delhi, and the city was recaptured by the British troops on 14th September 1857 after three months of fighting.
Q. Who was Shah Mal, and what role did he play during the uprising?
Answer: Shah Mal was a Jat cultivator who lived in a large village of Barout in Uttar Pradesh. He mobilized the headman and cultivators of 84 villages and urged them to rebel against the British, sending supplies to mutineed sepoys in Delhi and stopping official communication between British headquarters and Meerut.
Q. Describe the siege of Delhi and its outcome.
Answer: The siege of Delhi was initiated by Lord Canning, the Governor General, who sent a large force to suppress the uprising and sought military assistance from native rulers. The British set up an Espionage Department to create dissensions between the Hindus and the Muslims. After receiving help from rulers of Hyderabad, Gwalior, Patiala, Nabha, Jind, and Nepal, the British commander-in-chief, Henry Bernard Wilson, laid siege to Delhi. The British troops occupied Delhi on 14th September 1857 after fighting for three months. The Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah II was taken prisoner, his two sons were shot dead, and he was exiled to Rangoon, where he died in 1862, marking the end of the great Mughal dynasty.
Q. What happened to Mangal Pandey, and what was the impact on his regiment?
Answer: Mangal Pandey was captured by British officers and hanged on 8th April 1857 for revolting single-handedly and attacking his superior officers. His regiment was disarmed and disbanded.
Q. Who was the leader of the revolt at Kanpur?
Answer: The leader of the revolt at Kanpur was Nana Sahib.
Q. Who was Nana Sahib’s most loyal servant?
Answer: Tantia Tope was Nana Sahib’s most loyal servant.
Q. Describe the events that led to the massacre of British men at Sati Chora Ghatt in Kanpur.
Answer: Nana Sahib had promised to transport the Englishmen safely by boat to Allahabad. However, when they started boarding the boat at Sati Chora Ghatt, some Indian soldiers became enraged after hearing news of the atrocities committed by General Neill at Allahabad and Benaras. As a result, they attacked the British soldiers, massacring a large number of them. Only four British soldiers managed to reach Allahabad safely.
Q. Explain the role of Begum Hazrat Mahal in the revolt at Lucknow.
Answer: Begum Hazrat Mahal played a significant role in organizing the revolt in Awadh, particularly in Lucknow. She, along with other leaders, led the revolt against the British, declaring her young son, Burijis Kadar, as the Nawab of Awadh. The Begum organized an all-out attack on the British, freeing the whole of Awadh in a few days and besieging the British Residency building at Lucknow.
Q. Detail the events that led to the recapture of Lucknow by the British forces.
Answer: In December 1857, Campbell received reinforcements which increased his strength. In February 1858, a large British army marched from Kanpur to Lucknow, with Outram already reaching Alam Bagh with 4,000 soldiers. The combined forces of Campbell and Outram completely routed the rebels, leading to the British occupation of the whole city of Lucknow. The loss of Lucknow broke the backbone of the rebels, significantly weakening their resistance.
Q. Describe Rani Lakshmi Bai’s role in the revolts at Jhansi and Gwalior.
Answer: Rani Lakshmi Bai, the widow of Raja Ganga Dhar Rai, led the revolt in Jhansi. In June 1857, she fought bravely against the British, driving them away after a fierce battle and establishing her rule over Jhansi. After the loss of Kanpur, Tantia Tope joined her in Jhansi. In April 1858, the British troops under Sir Hugh Rose invaded Jhansi, leading to a tough fight between them and the forces led by Rani Lakshmi Bai and Tantia Tope. Eventually, they were defeated and the British occupied Kalpi. The Rani and Tantia Tope then moved to Gwalior, where they defeated the Scindhiya ruler, who had refused to join them. However, in June 1858, British forces led by Hugh Rose, along with the Scindhiya, invaded Gwalior, leading to a fierce battle in which Rani Lakshmi Bai died fighting on June 17.
Q. What were the consequences of the revolts in Benaras and Allahabad?
Answer: After the rebels had captured Delhi, the uprising spread to Allahabad and Benaras. General Neill was sent to crush the revolt, and he attacked the rebels with the help of Sikh and Madras regiments. Neill occupied Benaras before the rebels could, massacring thousands of rebels, women, and children. From Benaras, Neill proceeded to Allahabad, where he massacred thousands of innocent people along the way. He successfully occupied Allahabad on 18th June, effectively suppressing the revolts in both Benaras and Allahabad.
Q. Who led the revolt at Bareilly during the uprising of 1857?
Answer: Khan Bahadur Khan led the revolt at Bareilly during the uprising of 1857.
Q. Describe the role of Maulvi Ahmed Ullah Shah in the uprising of 1857.
Answer: Maulvi Ahmed Ullah Shah was one of the many Maulvis who played an important role in the uprising of 1857. He was popularly called Dantra Shah. He fought in the famous battle of Chinhat in which the British forces under Henry Lawrence were defeated. Many people believed that he was invested with magical power and could not be killed by the British. This belief formed the basis of his authority. He joined Khan Bahadur Khan at Bareilly and later escaped to Awadh, where he was murdered through a conspiracy hatched by a brother of Raja Jagan Nath Singh in June 1858.
Q. Who was Kunwar Singh and what was his role in the Bihar uprising during 1857?
Answer: Kunwar Singh was a discontented Zamindar of Jagdishpur and the chief organizer of the revolt in Bihar. Though 80 years old, he was an outstanding military leader and strategist of the revolt. He adopted guerrilla tactics of warfare and killed several Europeans. He later joined hands with Nana Sahib’s forces and campaigned in Awadh and Central India. Racing back to Bihar, he defeated the British forces at Arrah but sustained a fatal injury and died in April 1858.
Q. Explain the occurrences of revolts in South India during the uprising of 1857.
Answer: South India did not remain unaffected by the uprising. There were occurrences of revolts in the present-day Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. Even Goa and Pondicherry did not remain unaffected. In Maharashtra, the leader of the rebels was Ranga Bapuji Gupte. In Andhra Pradesh, major centres of revolt included the coastal areas from Vishakhapatnam to Nellore, Hyderabad, Rajahmundry, Kurnool, Guntur, and Kadappa. In Tamil Nadu, major centres of revolt were Chengalpet, North Arcot, Salem, Thanjavur, Madurai, Coimbatore, and Trichrapalli. In Kerala, the revolt took place especially in Travancore. The revolt continued till 1859.
Q. Discuss the role of rumours during the uprising of 1857 and the impact they had on the people.
Answer: Rumours played a significant part in moving people during the uprising of 1857. One of the rumours was about the bullets supplied to the sepoys being coated with the fat of cows and pigs, which would corrupt their caste and religion. The British officers tried to explain that this was not the case, but the rumour spread quickly. Another rumour was about a conspiracy hatched by the British Government to destroy the caste and religion of the Hindus and Muslims by mixing bone dust of cows and pigs into the flour sold in the market. The sepoys and the common people refused to touch this atta. There was also a rumour that the British wanted to convert Indians to Christianity. Panic spread quickly, and the British officers tried to remove their fear, but all in vain.
These rumours made sense when studied in the context of the policies that the British followed from the late 1820s. Governor General Lord William Bentinck adopted policies aimed at “reforming” Indian society by introducing western education, western ideas, and western institutions. With the cooperation of some reformers in Indian society, the British established English medium schools, colleges, and universities which propagated liberal ideas. They passed laws to abolish customs like Sati in 1829 and to permit the remarriage of Hindu widows.
The people, however, felt that the British were destroying their cherished socio-religious customs and were replacing them with a system that was more impersonal, alien, and oppressive. Their suspicions were aggravated by the activities of Christian missionaries. In such a condition of uncertainty, rumours spread very quickly.
We cannot understand whether the rumours were factually correct or not, but they reflect the minds of the people who believed them, their fears and apprehensions, their faiths and convictions. Rumours spread due to the deeper fears and suspicions of the people. These fears stirred men to action, and the call for action was reinforced by the prophecy that British rule would come to an end on the centenary of the Battle of Plassey, on 23 June, 1857.
The officers received reports from various parts of the country that chappatis were being distributed from village to village as a mysterious sign. A watchman would come at night and deliver the chappatis to the village watchman, asking him to make five more and distribute them in the next village, and so on. The meaning and purpose of the distribution of chappatis were unclear, but people read it as an omen of an upheaval.
Q. Explain the subsidiary alliance imposed on the Nawab of Awadh in 1801 by the British.
Answer: The subsidiary alliance imposed on the Nawab of Awadh in 1801 by the British required the Nawab to disband his military force, allow the British to station their military force within the kingdom, and to act according to the advice of the British Resident. This made the Nawab dependent on the British to maintain law and order within his kingdom and diminished his authority over rebellious chiefs and taluqdars.
Q. Why did the British want to acquire the territory of Awadh?
Answer: The British wanted to acquire the territory of Awadh because it was good for producing indigo and cotton, and the region was ideally located for the development of a principal market of Upper India.
Q. What was Lord Dalhousie’s policy of wholesale annexations, and how did it affect the Kingdom of Awadh?
Answer: Lord Dalhousie’s policy of wholesale annexations involved the aggressive expansion and annexation of territories in India by the British. In 1856, he deposed Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, the ruler of the Kingdom of Awadh, and exiled him to Calcutta (Kolkata) on the ground of misgovernment. He wrongly assumed that the Nawab was unpopular, but in reality, the Nawab was widely loved by his subjects. The annexation of Awadh displaced the taluqdars of the region and contributed to widespread dissatisfaction among the native rulers.
Q. How did the British land revenue policy affect the taluqdars of Awadh?
Answer: The British land revenue policy, particularly the Summary Settlement of 1856, aimed to remove the taluqdars wherever possible, assuming that they had established their hold over land through force and fraud. This policy drastically reduced the number of villages under the taluqdars’ control. The taluqdars of Southern Awadh were hit hardest, with some losing more than half of the villages they had previously held. The British also disarmed the taluqdars and demolished their forts, diminishing their power in the countryside. This breakdown of the social order disrupted the ties of loyalty and patronage between the taluqdars and the peasants, leading to discontent among both groups.
Q. What were some reasons for the discontent of sepoys in the British army?
Answer: There were several reasons for the discontent of sepoys in the British army:
- Low levels of pay: The sepoys were unhappy with the low pay they received, which made it difficult for them to support their families and maintain a decent standard of living.
- Difficulty of getting leave: The sepoys faced challenges in getting leave to visit their families, which added to their dissatisfaction with their service in the British army.
- Change in officers’ attitudes: In the 1840s, the attitudes of white officers towards the sepoys began to change, with the officers developing a sense of superiority and treating sepoys as their racial inferiors. This shift in attitude led to increased instances of abuse and physical violence against the sepoys.
- Loss of friendly relations: Earlier, the white officers had maintained friendly relations with the sepoys, participating in leisure activities and understanding the customs and culture of India. However, with the change in attitude, the distance between the sepoys and officers grew, leading to mistrust and discontent.
- Greased cartridges episode: The introduction of greased cartridges in the new Enfield rifles, rumored to be coated in a mixture of cow and pig fat, was offensive to both Hindu and Muslim sepoys due to their religious beliefs. This incident further fueled the discontent among the sepoys.
- Disconnection with the countryside: The sepoys, mostly recruited from villages in Awadh and eastern Uttar Pradesh, felt disconnected from their roots and were deeply affected by the changes and hardships faced by their families in their native villages.
- Spread of rumors and fears: Fears and rumors about the intentions of the British, such as the alleged plan to destroy the religion and culture of India, contributed to the growing discontent among the sepoys.
- Collective resistance: The discontent among the sepoys was further fueled by the collective resistance against the British, as sepoys from different regions and backgrounds joined forces in the uprising.
Q. What was the nature of proclamations of the rebels during the uprising of 1857?
Answer: The nature of proclamations of the rebels during the uprising of 1857 indicated a vision of unity. They appealed to all sections of Indian society irrespective of their castes and creeds. Proclamations issued by the Muslim princes took care to appeal to the sentiments of Hindus and reminded the pre-British Hindu-Muslim past, glorifying the co-existence of different communities under the Mughal Empire.
Q. What were the grievances of the sepoys as mentioned in the surviving petition?
Answer: The grievances of the sepoys mentioned in the surviving petition were as follows:
- The British issued an order introducing new cartridges and muskets that were coated with the fat of cows and pigs, which was offensive to their religious beliefs.
- The atta (flour) given to them for eating was mixed with powdered bones, which would pollute their faith and religion. The sepoys felt that if their Hindu or Muslim religion was lost, they would have nothing left in the world.
Q. What were the issues raised by the Azamgarh Proclamation of 25 August 1857?
Answer: The issues raised by the Azamgarh Proclamation of 25 August 1857 were as follows:
- Regarding Zamindars: The British Government imposed exorbitant revenue demands and ruined several Zamindars by auctioning their estates for arrears of rent.
- About merchants: The British monopolised the trade of valuable merchandise, leaving only the trade of trifles to the natives.
- Regarding Public Servants: Natives employed in civil and military services had little respect, low pay, and no influence, while all prestigious posts were reserved for Englishmen.
- Plight of the Artisans: Europeans, by introducing English articles into India, put weavers, carpenters, blacksmiths, and shoemakers out of employment.
- About Pandits, Faqirs and other learned persons: Europeans were considered sworn enemies of both Hindu and Muslim religions, leading to the uprising against the British.
Q. How did the rebels raise their voice against the symbols of British oppression?
Answer: The rebels raised their voice against the symbols of British oppression by rejecting all things associated with British rule. They condemned annexations of native territories and broken treaties. They accused the British of destroying a way of life they cherished and sought to restore it. The rebels expressed widespread fear that the British planned to destroy the castes and religions of Hindus and Muslims and convert them to Christianity. They urged the people to come together and fight to save their faith, livelihood, honour, and identity for the “greater public good.”
Q. What was the quest for an alternative during the risings when British rule had collapsed?
Answer: The quest for an alternative during the risings when British rule had collapsed was to set up a structure of authority and administration in places like Lucknow and Kanpur. The rebel leaders wanted to restore the pre-British world of the 18th century and turned to the culture of the Mughal court. They made appointments for the collection of land revenue, arranged payment for troops, and issued orders to end loot and plunder. They also made plans to fight battles against the British and established chains of command in the army. In setting up this system, they went back to the 18th century Mughal system as a symbol of all that had been lost. However, the administrative system set up by the rebels was primarily aimed to meet the demands of war against the British. The structure did not survive the British onslaught. This attempt, though short-lived, showed the rebels’ desire to find an alternative to British rule and restore their lost heritage and way of life.
Q. Where was the first act of cruelty motivated by racial hatred committed?
Answer: The first act of cruelty motivated by racial hatred was committed in Meerut.
Q. What happened to the Englishmen, women, and children when the sepoys of Meerut reached Delhi?
Answer: When the sepoys of Meerut reached Delhi, the bloody scenes were repeated, and a number of Englishmen, women, and children were put to death by the sepoys and others in cold blood.
Q. Describe the events at Kanpur after Mr. Wheeler’s surrender.
Answer: After Mr. Wheeler, the British commander of the fort at Kanpur, surrendered, Nana Sahib assured the Englishmen that he would transport them safely by boat to Allahabad. However, when the Englishmen started boarding the boat, some Indian soldiers attacked the British soldiers, massacring a large number of them. Only four British soldiers managed to reach Allahabad safely. About 125 women and children were killed at Bibigarh, and their bodies were thrown into a well.
Q. What happened to the Europeans who left the fort at Jhansi under the promise of personal security?
Answer: At Jhansi, the mutineers promised personal security to all the Europeans provided they left the fort without taking any arms. But as soon as they came out of the fort, all of them- men, women, and children were taken to a garden and massacred in cold blood.
Q. Describe the ghastly tragedy witnessed by V.C. Ball at Allahabad.
Answer: A letter from Varanasi dated June 16, 1857, described a ghastly scene witnessed by V.C. Ball at Allahabad. A gang of upwards of two dozen sepoys cut into two an infant boy of two or three years of age, while playing about his mother. Next, they hacked into pieces the lady, and while she was crying out in agonizing pain for safety, they felled the husband most shockingly and horridly. Similar incidents happened at Bareilly as reported by Durgadas Bandhopadhaya, a Bengali officer there.
Q. Provide examples of atrocities committed by the British during the uprising of 1857.
Answer: Unfortunately, the Indians have left no record of the atrocities committed by the British. However, some Englishmen had sunk so low in the scale of humanity that they had no scruples on proclaiming their misdeeds, but even took pride in them, as if they had done some heroic and chivalrous acts. Thus, we find not only in official records and correspondence but also in private letters and memoirs, free and frank accounts of terrible and inhuman acts of violence perpetrated by men and officers of the British army. Specific examples are not provided in the text, but it is clear that the British committed heinous acts during this time period as well.
Q. What was the reaction of the people of Britain to the news of atrocities committed on British men and women in India by the rebels?
Answer: The news of atrocities committed on British men and women in India by the rebels spread a wave of anger and shock in Britain. The demand for retribution grew louder, and the people of Britain demanded that the challenge to British honour and power be met ruthlessly.
Q. How were the rebels punished by the British officers?
Answer: The British officers expressed their urge for vengeance in the brutal way the mutineers had killed the Englishmen. The rebels were blown from cannons or hanged from the gallows, and images of these executions were printed in the popular journals.
Q. What were General Neil’s instructions to Major Renaud during their march?
Answer: General Neil gave written instructions to Major Renaund to attack and destroy all places en route close to the road occupied by the enemy. Certain guilty villages were marked out for destruction, and all the men inhabiting them were to be slaughtered. All sepoys of mutinous regiments not giving a good account of themselves were to be hanged. The town of Fatehpur, which had revolted, was to be attacked, and the Pathan quarters destroyed with all their inhabitants.
Q. Describe the actions taken by Frederick Cooper, Deputy Commissioner of Amritsar, at Ajnala against the disbanded soldiers.
Answer: Frederick Cooper’s action at Ajnala against the disbanded soldiers involved capturing and executing them. The main body of the spies took refuge in an island in the river Ravi near Ajnala. Cooper ordered boats with soldiers to go after them. About 50 prisoners plunged into the river in despair and were drowned or shot dead. The remaining 280 were marched off to Ajnala, where they were executed in the morning. Due to a shortage of ropes, they were shot in batches of ten. Out of the 66 locked up in a small dungeon, only 11 came out to be executed, while the rest died of suffocation. Cooper’s actions were considered righteous and met with official approval.
Q. What was the impact of the British atrocities on the Indian society?
Answer: The impact of the British atrocities on Indian society was the creation of racial hatred, which disfigured social life in post-mutiny India. The indiscriminate massacre of the guilty and innocent alike by English officers in various parts of India further deepened this racial hatred and widened the gap between the two communities.
Q. How was Governor General Canning’s plea for moderation and leniency received in England?
Answer: When Canning, the Governor General of India, declared that a gesture of leniency and a show of mercy would help in winning back the loyalty of the Sepoys, his plea for moderation was ridiculed and mocked in the British press, with a cartoon published in PUNCH condemning his gesture.
Q. What did the Calcutta “Hindoo Patriot” comment about the revolt of 1857?
Answer: The Calcutta “Hindoo Patriot” commented that the British Government had a slight hold on the affection of Indian subjects, and the events of the last few weeks made it painfully evident. The revolt was not just a mutiny but a rebellion that had drawn sympathy from the country, with the mutineers being viewed as martyrs to a holy and national cause. The native population believed that the British government had a fixed purpose of destroying their religion and converting them to Christianity.
Q. How did the Young Bengal Movement view the revolt of 1857?
Answer: The Young Bengal Movement viewed the revolt of 1857 as a retribution of providence for the atrocities perpetrated by the British in India and as “a token for good.” They did not wish for the British to be overthrown, fearing the consequences, but they did derive some satisfaction from their troubles.
Q. What was the attitude of English educated Indians towards the revolt of 1857?
Answer: The attitude of English educated Indians towards the revolt of 1857 was ambivalent. They considered the rebels to be misguided, but they sympathized with them as their brethren and admired their courage for rising in a just cause. They disliked the British but did not wish to see them swept into the sea, and they derived some satisfaction from the troubles the British faced during the revolt.
Q. What are the arguments given by European writers in support of the view that the revolt of 1857 was a sepoy mutiny?
Answer: European writers like John Lawrence, John Seeley, Charles Raikes, Kaye, Malleson, and Syed Ahmed Khan argued that the revolt of 1857 was a sepoy mutiny based on the following points:
- The Indian sepoys faced contempt, meager salaries, and injured religious sentiments, which led to a general mutiny.
- The main cause of the revolt was the issue of greased cartridges, which hurt the religious sentiments of the soldiers.
- The revolt started with dissatisfied soldiers and was taken advantage of by disaffected persons in the country.
- The rebels had no support from the common people and even looted them at some places.
- The revolt was confined mainly to Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Central India, with little effect on Punjab, Sindh, and South India.
- Only a few contingents of sepoys rose in revolt, with Sikh, Rajput, and Gurkha regiments remaining loyal to the British.
- Only those native rulers with personal grievances against the British rule joined the revolt.
Q. What are the counterarguments against the view that the revolt of 1857 was only a sepoy mutiny?
Answer: Some writers disagree with the view that the revolt of 1857 was only a sepoy mutiny, arguing that there were other political, social, and economic causes of the revolt as well. Not only the sepoys, but Nana Sahib, Bahadur Shah, Lakshmi Bai, Ahmed Shah, and many other rulers and prominent persons also took an active part in the revolt. It was due to their involvement that the revolt took such a formidable form. If it had been only a sepoy mutiny, it would not have lasted so long or had such a significant impact.
Q. What is the first view of the Revolt of 1857?
Answer: The first view is that it was a Sepoy Mutiny, a rebellion limited to Indian soldiers in the British army.
Q. Who are some historians that support the second view of the Revolt of 1857 as an organized Hindu-Muslim uprising?
Answer: James Outram, Kaye and Malleson, Vir Savarker, and Ashok Mehta are some historians who support the second view of the Revolt of 1857 as an organized Hindu-Muslim uprising.
Q. How did women participate in the Revolt of 1857?
Answer: Women played an active role in the Revolt of 1857. They not only inspired the rebels to fight against the enemy, but also fought alongside men in battles. The most prominent example is Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi, who sacrificed her life fighting in the battlefield.
Q. Explain how the leaders of the Revolt of 1857 were not motivated by selfish interests.
Answer: Many leaders of the Revolt of 1857 were driven by the desire to free India from British rule, rather than selfish interests. Emperor Bahadur Shah II wrote to Rajput chiefs about expelling the British and uniting Indian rulers under one banner. He also assured people in the streets of Delhi that the war was against the British and no Indian community should fear. Tantia Tope, another leader, joined the revolt not for personal gain but to liberate his countrymen from foreign rule.
Q. Describe the factors that contributed to the outbreak of the Revolt of 1857.
Answer: The Revolt of 1857 was influenced by a combination of social, economic, and political factors that had been accumulating since the British arrived in India. These factors include:
- Discontent among the Indian soldiers in the British army
- Grievances of native rulers and Nawabs
- Participation of various sections of Indian society, including Hindus, Muslims, rich, and poor
- Role of women in inspiring and participating in the revolt
- Long-standing grievances of the Indian population against British rule
- Emerging national awakening in the country
The immediate cause of the revolt was the issue of greased cartridges, which was the spark that ignited the accumulated discontent among the Indian population. The revolt was pre-planned, with secret organizations among Indian soldiers and propaganda efforts by Sanyasis and Faquirs. The outbreak of the revolt before the fixed date led to its limited spread, but had it not been suppressed quickly, it could have spread throughout India.
Q. What role did the events of 1857 play in the nationalist movement in the twentieth century?
Answer: The events of 1857 served as a source of inspiration for the nationalist movement in the twentieth century. They were celebrated as the first war of Indian independence, bringing all sections of the people of the country together to fight against British rule. This uprising helped shape nationalist ideas and fostered unity among Indians.
Q. How did art, literature, and history contribute to the memory of the 1857 uprising?
Answer: Art, literature, and history played a significant role in keeping the memory of the 1857 uprising alive. Leaders of the uprising were presented as heroic figures leading the country into battle and rousing the nation against oppressive colonial rulers. Heroic poems, such as those about the valour of Rani of Jhansi, were composed and became popular recitations. Depictions of Rani Lakshmi Bai in battle armor, sword in hand, and riding a horse became symbols of determination to fight against injustice and foreign rule. These works of art and literature helped shape the nationalist imagination and solidify ideas of resistance against colonialism.
Q. What is the significance of the lines “Khoob lari mardani who to Jhansi Wali rani thee”?
Answer: These lines, meaning “Like a man she fought, she was the Rani of Jhansi,” celebrate the bravery and courage of Rani Lakshmi Bai, who fought valiantly for her country’s freedom.
Q. What was the immediate cause of the 1857 revolt?
Answer: The immediate cause of the 1857 revolt was the introduction of the new Enfield rifles and the cartridges that were thought to be greased with beef and pork, which were offensive to the religious beliefs of the Indian soldiers.
Q. What were the main military causes of the 1857 revolt?
Answer: The main military causes of the 1857 revolt included contemptuous treatment of Indian sepoys by English officers, meagre salaries and allowances, and the violation of religious sentiments. These factors combined to spark off a general mutiny of the Indian soldiers.
60. What impact did the events of 1857 have on the future of Indian politics?
Answer: The events of 1857 had a significant impact on the future of Indian politics, as they served as a constant reminder of courage, patriotism, and resistance against colonial rule. This memory of the uprising fueled the birth and growth of nationalism in Indian politics. The events of 1857 helped unite different sections of society and encouraged them to work together for the liberation of the country. The sense of nationalism and unity that emerged from the 1857 revolt laid the foundation for the National Movement and future struggles for independence in India.
Extra/additional MCQs
1. Which rebellion took place in 1831?
A. Kutch Rebellion B. Kol uprising C. Santhal uprising D. Meerut Mutiny
Answer: B. Kol uprising
2. When did the Santhal uprising occur?
A. 1856 B. 1857 C. 1858 D. 1860
Answer: C. 1858
3. Where can the press list of Mutiny Papers in Urdu and Persian be found?
A. India Office Library B. West Bengal Record Office C. National Archives of India D. Punjab Government Record Office
Answer: C. National Archives of India
Q. Which department’s proceedings from 1857-59 can be found in the National Archives of India?
A. Foreign Department B. Home Department C. Military Department D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Q. Whose papers are in the possession of the Punjab Government Record Office?
A. Sir John Kaye B. Maulvi Rajab Ali C. Hakim Ahsanullah D. Mohan Lal
Answer: B. Maulvi Rajab Ali
Q. What was the title of the painting by Thomas Jones Barker that depicted the relief of Lucknow?
A. In Memorium B. The Illustrated London C. The Relief of Lucknow D. Campbell’s Entry
Answer: C. The Relief of Lucknow
Q. In which year did India achieve independence?
A. 1945 B. 1946 C. 1947 D. 1948
Answer: C. 1947
Q. Which officer’s account of the Mutiny was written for Brigadier Chamberlain?
A. Sir John Kaye B. Kedarnath C. Hakim Ahsanullah D. Mohan Lal
Answer: D. Mohan Lal
Q. Which general work provides untold stories of the Indian Mutiny?
A. A Personal Journal of the Siege of Lucknow B. The Campaign in India (1857-58) C. Indian Gup D. The Indian War of Independence 1857
Answer: C. Indian Gup
Q. Whose diary shows that as early as May 20, 1857, Hakim Ahsanullah, Mahbub Ali Khan, and Queen Zinat Mahal were suspected of collusion with the English?
A. Sir John Kaye B. Kedarnath C. Mohan Lal D. Lord Elphinston
Answer: B. Kedarnath
Q. Where did the uprising of 1857 begin?
A. Meerut B. Delhi C. Barrackpur D. Lucknow
Answer: C. Barrackpur
Q. Who was the first martyr of the freedom struggle?
A. Bahadur Shah Zafar B. Mangal Pandey C. Peshwa Baji Rao D. Shah Mal
Answer: B. Mangal Pandey
Q. On what date was Mangal Pandey hanged?
A. 28th March 1857 B. 9th May 1857 C. 8th April 1857 D. 11th May 1857
Answer: C. 8th April 1857
Q. Which city did the sepoys march towards after the Barrackpur incident?
A. Delhi B. Meerut C. Aligarh D. Lucknow
Answer: B. Meerut
Q. On which date did the rebel sepoys from Meerut arrive in Delhi?
A. 10th May 1857 B. 11th May 1857 C. 12th May 1857 D. 14th May 1857
Answer: B. 11th May 1857
Q. Who was proclaimed as the Emperor of India by the rebellious soldiers in Delhi?
A. Shah Mal B. Mangal Pandey C. Bahadur Shah Zafar D. Peshwa Baji Rao
Answer: C. Bahadur Shah Zafar
Q. Who was the British commander-in-chief during the siege of Delhi?
A. Lord Canning B. General Willoughby C. Nicholson D. Henry Bernard Wilson
Answer: D. Henry Bernard Wilson
Q. On which date did the British troops occupy Delhi?
A. 14th August 1857 B. 14th September 1857 C. 15th September 1857 D. 15th August 1857
Answer: B. 14th September 1857
Q. Where was Bahadur Shah II exiled to?
A. London B. Rangoon C. Delhi D. Calcutta
Answer: B. Rangoon
Q. Who mobilized the headman and cultivators of 84 villages to rebel against the British?
A. Bahadur Shah Zafar B. Peshwa Baji Rao C. Shah Mal D. Mangal Pandey
Answer: C. Shah Mal
Q. Who was the leader of the revolt at Kanpur?
A. Rani Lakshmi Bai B. Tantia Tope C. Nana Sahib D. Begum Hazrat Mahal
Answer: C. Nana Sahib
Q. Where did the Englishmen believe they would be safely transported to by Nana Sahib?
A. Benaras B. Kanpur C. Lucknow D. Allahabad
Answer: D. Allahabad
Q. How many British soldiers managed to reach Allahabad safely after the attack at Sati Chora Ghatt?
A. 4 B. 10 C. 20 D. 50
Answer: A. 4
Q. Who crushed the rebels and reoccupied Kanpur?
A. General Havelock B. General Neill C. General Campbell D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Q. Which city’s revolt is considered to be the most well-organized according to Dr. Ishwari Prasad?
A. Delhi B. Lucknow C. Kanpur D. Jhansi
Answer: B. Lucknow
Q. Who declared her young son Burijis Kadar as the Nawab of Awadh during the revolt?
A. Rani Lakshmi Bai B. Begum Hazrat Mahal C. Nana Sahib D. Tantia Tope
Answer: B. Begum Hazrat Mahal
Q. Who was the British commander struck by a cannonball and died during the siege of the Residency in Lucknow?
A. General Neill B. General Havelock C. Henry Lawrence D. General Campbell
Answer: C. Henry Lawrence
Q. Who joined Rani Lakshmi Bai in Jhansi after the loss of Kanpur?
A. Nana Sahib B. Tantia Tope C. Begum Hazrat Mahal D. General Neill
Answer: B. Tantia Tope
Q. Who was the British commander that invaded Jhansi along with Tantia Tope?
A. General Neill B. General Havelock C. Sir Hugh Rose D. General Campbell
Answer: C. Sir Hugh Rose
Q. When was Tantia Tope hanged to death?
A. 18th April, 1859 B. 20th June, 1858 C. 17th June, 1858 D. 11th June, 1858
Answer: A. 18th April, 1859
Q. Who led the revolt at Bareilly during the uprising of 1857?
A. Ranga Bapuji Gupte B. Amar Singh C. Khan Bahadur Khan D. Kunwar Singh
Answer: C. Khan Bahadur Khan
Q. What was the popular name of Maulvi Ahmed Ullah Shah during the uprising of 1857?
A. Dantra Shah B. Nana Sahib C. Amar Singh D. Ranga Bapuji
Answer: A. Dantra Shah
Q. In which battle did Maulvi Ahmed Ullah Shah fight against the British forces?
A. Battle of Arrah B. Battle of Chinhat C. Battle of Plassey D. Battle of Kabul
Answer: B. Battle of Chinhat
Q. Who was the leader of the rebels in Maharashtra during the 1857 uprising?
A. Khan Bahadur Khan B. Ranga Bapuji Gupte C. Kunwar Singh D. Amar Singh
Answer: B. Ranga Bapuji Gupte
Q. In which year did the British pass a law to abolish the custom of Sati?
A. 1857 B. 1858 C. 1829 D. 1830
Answer: C. 1829
Q. Which prophecy reinforced the call for action during the uprising of 1857?
A. Centenary of Battle of Plassey B. End of British rule C. Collapse of Hindu-Muslim unity D. Christian missionaries’ success
Answer: A. Centenary of Battle of Plassey
Q. Which British Governor General adopted policies aimed at “reforming” Indian society?
A. Lord Dalhousie B. Lord William Bentinck C. Lord Canning D. Lord Cornwallis
Answer: B. Lord William Bentinck
Q. Which Indian leader sustained a fatal injury in the Battle of Arrah and died in April 1858?
A. Khan Bahadur Khan B. Amar Singh C. Maulvi Ahmed Ullah Shah D. Kunwar Singh
Answer: D. Kunwar Singh
Q. What was rumored to be mixed with the flour sold in the market during the uprising of 1857?
A. Cow and pig fat B. Bone dust of cows and pigs C. Poison D. Dirt
Answer: B. Bone dust of cows and pigs
Q. In which Indian state did the revolt take place especially in Travancore during the uprising of 1857?
A. Tamil Nadu B. Andhra Pradesh C. Kerala D. Karnataka
Answer: C. Kerala
Q. Which leader was hanged in public on June 29, 1858?
A. Khan Bahadur Khan B. Ranga Bapuji Gupte C. Mansingh Rajput D. Amar Singh
Answer: C. Mansingh Rajput
Q. Which river formed the north-western boundary of the Kingdom of Awadh?
A. Ganges B. Yamuna C. Sarju D. Godavari
Answer: C. Sarju
Q. In which year was the subsidiary alliance imposed on the Nawab of Awadh by the British?
A. 1757 B. 1801 C. 1848 D. 1856
Answer: B. 1801
Q. Which two crops made the territory of Awadh attractive to the British?
A. Wheat and rice B. Indigo and cotton C. Sugarcane and jute D. Tea and coffee
Answer: B. Indigo and cotton
Q. Who was the Governor General of India responsible for the annexation of Awadh?
A. Lord Cornwallis B. Lord Wellesley C. Lord Canning D. Lord Dalhousie
Answer: D. Lord Dalhousie
Q. Which Nawab of Awadh was deposed by Lord Dalhousie in 1856?
A. Saadat Ali Khan B. Ghazi-ud-Din Haidar C. Amjad Ali Shah D. Wajid Ali Shah
Answer: D. Wajid Ali Shah
Q. In which city was Nawab Wajid Ali Shah exiled to after his deposition?
A. Delhi B. Calcutta (Kolkata) C. Bombay (Mumbai) D. Madras (Chennai)
Answer: B. Calcutta (Kolkata)
Q. What was the name of the British land revenue policy in Awadh in 1856?
A. Permanent Settlement B. Ryotwari Settlement C. Summary Settlement D. Mahalwari Settlement
Answer: C. Summary Settlement
Q. By what percentage did the number of villages under taluqdars’ control decrease after the Summary Settlement in Awadh?
A. 29% B. 38% C. 50% D. 67%
Answer: B. 38%
Q. Who was the wife of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah who fought against the British during the 1857 rebellion?
A. Rani Lakshmibai B. Begum Hazrat Mahal C. Rani Jindan D. Maharani Gayatri Devi
Answer: B. Begum Hazrat Mahal
Q. Which region in India had a large number of sepoys recruited from its villages?
A. Punjab B. Maratha lands C. Awadh and eastern Uttar Pradesh D. Bengal
Answer: C. Awadh and eastern Uttar Pradesh
Q. During the uprising of 1857, what did the proclamations issued by the Muslim princes remind people of?
A. British rule B. Hindu-Muslim past C. European trade D. Sepoy grievances
Answer: B. Hindu-Muslim past
Q. Which two religious figures were mentioned in a proclamation issued under the name of Bahadur Shah II?
A. Jesus and Buddha B. Muhammad and Mahavir C. Rama and Krishna D. Moses and Zoroaster
Answer: B. Muhammad and Mahavir
Q. In December 1857, how much did the British spend to incite Hindus against Muslims in Bareilly?
A. 10,000 B. 25,000 C. 50,000 D. 75,000
Answer: C. 50,000
Q. What were the new cartridges coated with that offended the sepoys’ religious beliefs?
A. Beef and pork fat B. Cow and pig fat C. Sheep and goat fat D. Chicken and fish fat
Answer: B. Cow and pig fat
Q. What was mixed with the atta given to sepoys that would pollute their faith?
A. Sand B. Powdered bones C. Gravel D. Ash
Answer: B. Powdered bones
Q. Which two religions were considered under threat by the European presence in India, according to the Azamgarh Proclamation?
A. Hinduism and Christianity B. Hinduism and Islam C. Islam and Judaism D. Buddhism and Zoroastrianism
Answer: B. Hinduism and Islam
Q. Which trade did the British leave for the natives according to the Azamgarh Proclamation?
A. Textiles B. Spices C. Trifles D. Indigo
Answer: C. Trifles
Q. What did the introduction of English articles do to Indian artisans, according to the Azamgarh Proclamation?
A. Increased their income B. Created new opportunities C. Put them out of employment D. Improved their working conditions
Answer: C. Put them out of employment
Q. Which two cities were mentioned as examples of places where rebels set up a structure of authority and administration?
A. Delhi and Agra B. Lucknow and Kanpur C. Mumbai and Kolkata D. Chennai and Hyderabad
Answer: B. Lucknow and Kanpur
Q. In which city were the first acts of cruelty motivated by racial hatred during the uprising of 1857 committed?
A. Delhi B. Meerut C. Kanpur D. Jhansi
Answer: B. Meerut
Q. What was the name of the British commander of the fort at Kanpur?
A. Nana Sahib B. Mr. Wheeler C. Ahsahullah D. Malleson
Answer: B. Mr. Wheeler
Q. How many British soldiers managed to reach Allahabad safely after the massacre at Kanpur?
A. Four B. Ten C. Twenty D. Fifty
Answer: A. Four
Q. How many women and children were killed at Bibigarh?
A. 50 B. 100 C. 125 D. 150
Answer: C. 125
Q. What did the mutineers promise the Europeans in Jhansi in exchange for their leaving the fort without arms?
A. Money B. Transportation C. Personal security D. Food
Answer: C. Personal security
Q. What happened to the Europeans after they left the fort in Jhansi?
A. Escaped B. Imprisoned C. Massacred D. Deported
Answer: C. Massacred
Q. What is the title of the painting by Joseph Noel Paton depicting the plight of English women and children during the uprising?
A. “The Uprising” B. “In Memorium” C. “The Fall” D. “The Sacrifice”
Answer: B. “In Memorium”
Q. In which city did V.C. Ball witness the ghastly tragedy involving a family during the uprising of 1857?
A. Varanasi B. Bareilly C. Allahabad D. Delhi
Answer: C. Allahabad
Q. How many sepoys were involved in the ghastly tragedy witnessed by V.C. Ball?
A. 12 B. 24 C. 36 D. 48
Answer: B. 24
Q. In which city were similar incidents to the one witnessed by V.C. Ball reported to have happened?
A. Kanpur B. Jhansi C. Bareilly D. Delhi
Answer: C. Bareilly
Q. Who was instructed by General Neil to attack and destroy all places en route close to the road occupied by the enemy?
A. Major Havelock B. Major Renaud C. Major Cooper D. Major Montgomery
Answer: B. Major Renaud
Q. In which town were the Pathan quarters to be destroyed along with all their inhabitants, as per General Neil’s instructions?
A. Benaras B. Calcutta C. Fatehpur D. Allahabad
Answer: C. Fatehpur
Q. Who was the Deputy Commissioner of Amritsar during the atrocities committed at Ajnala?
A. Frederick Cooper B. Robert Montgomery C. H.J.M. Sherer D. Sir W.H. Russel
Answer: A. Frederick Cooper
Q. Which river did the spies take refuge in an island near Ajnala?
A. Ganges B. Yamuna C. Ravi D. Sutlej
Answer: C. Ravi
Q. What method was used to execute the prisoners at Ajnala due to a shortage of ropes?
A. Beheading B. Firing squad C. Blowing from guns D. Drowning
Answer: B. Firing squad
Q. Who was the Governor General of India who declared that a gesture of leniency and a show of mercy would help in winning back the loyalty of the Sepoys?
A. Lord Dalhousie B. Lord Canning C. Lord Cornwallis D. Lord Curzon
Answer: B. Lord Canning
Q. Which newspaper provided a sophisticated and revealing comment on the revolt of 1857?
A. Hindustan Times B. Hindoo Patriot C. The Times of India D. Indian Express
Answer: B. Hindoo Patriot
Q. What did the native population believe about the British government’s intentions regarding their religion?
A. Preservation B. Encouragement C. Neutrality D. Destruction
Answer: D. Destruction
Q. Which movement viewed the revolt of 1857 as a retribution of providence for British atrocities in India?
A. Swadeshi Movement B. Young Bengal Movement C. Indian National Movement D. Non-cooperation Movement
Answer: B. Young Bengal Movement
Q. In which year did the revolt of 1857 take place?
A. 1850 B. 1856 C. 1857 D. 1860
Answer: C. 1857
Q. Which city did the sepoys proceed to after starting the revolt in Meerut?
A. Agra B. Delhi C. Kanpur D. Lucknow
Answer: B. Delhi
Q. What sparked the revolt due to its effect on the religious sentiments of Indian soldiers?
A. Uniforms B. Food C. Greased cartridges D. Training
Answer: C. Greased cartridges
Q. Which Indian leader was refused a pension, leading to dissatisfaction with the British rule?
A. Bahadur Shah II B. Nana Sahib C. Rani Laxmi Bai D. Ahmed Shah
Answer: B. Nana Sahib
Q. Which native ruler was not allowed to install her adopted son on the throne after her husband’s death?
A. Rani of Jhansi B. Maharani of Gwalior C. Begum of Awadh D. Queen of Mysore
Answer: A. Rani of Jhansi
Q. Which regions of India were not significantly affected by the revolt of 1857?
A. Punjab and Sindh B. Uttar Pradesh and Bihar C. Rajasthan and Gujarat D. Maharashtra and Karnataka
Answer: A. Punjab and Sindh
Q. Which group of soldiers remained loyal to the British during the revolt of 1857?
A. Marathas B. Rajputs C. Sikhs and Gurkhas D. Mughals
Answer: C. Sikhs and Gurkhas
Q. According to the first view, the Revolt of 1857 was mainly a:
A. National Uprising B. Sepoy Mutiny C. Muslim Revolt D. Hindu Revolt
Answer: B. Sepoy Mutiny
Q. Which of the following historians supports the second view of the Revolt of 1857 as the “First War of Indian Independence”?
A. James Outram B. Vir Savarker C. Dr. R.C. Majumdar D. Dr. S.N. Sen
Answer: B. Vir Savarker
Q. Who was the Mughal Emperor that participated in the Revolt of 1857?
A. Aurangzeb B. Akbar C. Shah Jahan D. Bahadur Shah
Answer: D. Bahadur Shah
Q. Which Indian queen is known for her active participation in the Revolt of 1857?
A. Rani Padmavati B. Rani Lakshmi Bai C. Rani Padmini D. Rani Ahilyabai
Answer: B. Rani Lakshmi Bai
Q. What was the immediate cause of the Revolt of 1857?
A. Economic Policies B. Social Reforms C. Political Grievances D. Greased Cartridges
Answer: D. Greased Cartridges
Q. What was the fixed date for the uprising according to the secret organization of Indian sepoys?
A. May 30, 1857 B. May 31, 1857 C. June 1, 1857 D. June 2, 1857
Answer: B. May 31, 1857
Q. According to Dr. Ashok Mehta, the Revolt of 1857 saw Hindus and Muslims:
A. Work Separately B. Work Together C. Fight Each Other D. Remain Neutral
Answer: B. Work Together
Q. According to Dr. R.C. Majumdar, the rebels in the Revolt of 1857 were motivated by:
A. National Feelings B. Personal Interests C. Social Reforms D. Economic Grievances
Answer: B. Personal Interests
Q. What does Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru describe the Revolt of 1857 as in his work, “Discovery of India”?
A. Sepoy Mutiny B. First War of Indian Independence C. Muslim Revolt D. Revolt of the Jagirdars
Answer: D. Revolt of the Jagirdars
Q. According to the third view, the Revolt of 1857 was primarily a:
A. Hindu-Muslim Uprising B. National Uprising C. Muslim-Organised Revolt D. Sepoy Mutiny
Answer: C. Muslim-Organised Revolt
Q. The 1857 events are celebrated as the first war of which country’s independence?
A. America B. India C. France D. China
Answer: B. India
Q. Who was the valiant queen of Jhansi?
A. Rani Padmini B. Rani Lakshmi Bai C. Rani Mukerji D. Rani Gayatri Devi
Answer: B. Rani Lakshmi Bai
Q. What type of rifles led to the immediate cause of the 1857 revolt?
A. Brown Bess B. Snider-Enfield C. Martini-Henry D. Enfield
Answer: D. Enfield
Q. What was believed to be used as grease in the cartridges that caused the 1857 revolt?
A. Olive oil B. Beef and pork C. Vegetable oil D. Tallow
Answer: B. Beef and pork
Q. What impact did the 1857 events have on Indian politics?
A. Economic growth B. Birth of nationalism C. Technological advancement D. Agricultural revolution
Answer: B. Birth of nationalism
Q. What type of poems were composed about Rani of Jhansi?
A. Romantic B. Heroic C. Tragic D. Comedic
Answer: B. Heroic
Q. How were the leaders of the 1857 uprising presented in art and literature?
A. Tragic figures B. Comedic figures C. Romantic figures D. Heroic figures
Answer: D. Heroic figures
Q. What was the main reason for the Indian sepoys’ general mutiny?
A. Economic grievances B. Religious sentiments C. Political ambitions D. Personal vendettas
Answer: B. Religious sentiments
107. Which British historian believed that beef and pork were used in the making of the cartridges?
A. Winston Churchill B. Sir John Kaye C. Edward Gibbon D. Arnold Toynbee
Answer: B. Sir John Kaye
106. What did the 1857 events inspire in Indian politics?
A. Regionalism B. Imperialism C. Nationalism D. Secularism
Answer: C. Nationalism
