Important Questions Test: When People Revolt (1857 & After) - UPSC MCQ

Reasons why countryside peasants and zamindars resented the British:
1. Colonization: The British colonization of India created a sense of resentment among the countryside peasants and zamindars. They felt oppressed and exploited by the British rule.
2. High Taxes: The British imposed high taxes on the peasants and zamindars, which put a significant burden on their livelihoods. This led to economic hardships and resentment towards the British.
3. Rigid Revenue Collection Methods: The British implemented rigid methods of revenue collection, which often resulted in unfair practices and harassment for the peasants and zamindars. This further fueled their resentment towards the British administration.
4. Loss of Lands: Many peasants and zamindars lost their lands to moneylenders due to the high taxes and strict revenue collection methods. This caused a loss of livelihood and further deepened their resentment towards the British.
5. Racial Discrimination: The British followed a policy of racial discrimination by denying high-ranking jobs to Indians. This created a sense of injustice and inequality, leading to resentment among the peasants and zamindars.
Overall, the combination of economic hardships, loss of lands, harsh revenue collection methods, and racial discrimination contributed to the resentment of countryside peasants and zamindars towards the British rule in India.

The term "Sepoy" refers to Indian soldiers who were employed by the British East India Company and later by the British Crown. These soldiers played a crucial role in the British colonial army, but resentment among them over issues such as poor pay, cultural insensitivity, and forced service led to uprisings like the Revolt of 1857.

The sepoys were not paying any taxes and were not the victim of the rigid revenue system. Poor peasants were actually victims of those and sepoys were actually forced to do that with the farmers.

Explanation:
The new amendment in the law passed by the East India Company in 1856 was as follows:
A: Every new person who took up employment in the Company's army had to agree to serve overseas if required.
- This meant that individuals joining the Company's army would be obligated to serve overseas if the Company required them to do so.
- The amendment aimed to ensure a steady supply of soldiers for the Company's military operations abroad.
B: Every new person who took up employment in the Company's army will be paid only a low salary
- This statement is not accurate and does not relate to the amendment in question.
C: Every new person who took up employment in the Company's army had to collect the revenues set by the British.
- This statement is not accurate and does not relate to the amendment in question.
D: Every new person who took up employment in the Company's army had to pay a tax.
- This statement is not accurate and does not relate to the amendment in question.
Therefore, the correct answer is option A: Every new person who took up employment in the Company's army had to agree to serve overseas if required.

Sitaram Pande: A Detailed Explanation
Introduction:
Subedar Sitaram Pande was a significant figure during the Indian Rebellion of 1857, also known as the Indian Mutiny or the First War of Independence. He played a crucial role in the rebellion and his actions were both praised and criticized by different parties involved. Let's explore who Subedar Sitaram Pande was and his role in the rebellion.
Sitaram Pande's Background:
- Sitaram Pande was a sepoy, which means a soldier in the Indian army who served under the British East India Company.
- He hailed from the Bengal region of British India.
Actions during the Rebellion:
- Sitaram Pande actively participated in the rebellion against the British rule.
- He was known for his bravery and leadership skills, which earned him a prominent position among the rebels.
- Pande's notable act during the rebellion was his involvement in the attack on Lieutenant Baugh.
The Attack on Lieutenant Baugh:
- Sitaram Pande, along with other rebels, attacked Lieutenant Baugh with a sword in the cantonment at Barrackpore.
- The attack was ferocious, and Lieutenant Baugh was severely injured, but he survived.
- The attack on Baugh was seen as a significant act of rebellion against British authority.
Controversies and Different Perspectives:
- Sitaram Pande's actions received mixed reactions from various quarters.
- While some hailed him as a hero and a symbol of resistance against British oppression, others criticized him for his violent acts.
- It is important to note that Sitaram Pande's actions were not without personal loss. It is believed that his own son was killed by the British in front of his eyes.
Sitaram Pande's Role as a Guide:
- Sitaram Pande also had a role as a guide for the British forces during the rebellion.
- Despite his personal loss, he chose to aid the British in suppressing the rebellion.
- This decision might have been influenced by various factors, including pressure or coercion from the British or a strategic move to protect his own interests.
Conclusion:
Subedar Sitaram Pande was a significant figure during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. He was a sepoy who actively participated in the rebellion, including the attack on Lieutenant Baugh. His actions received mixed reactions, with some considering him a hero and others criticizing him for his violent acts. Despite his personal loss, he also played a role as a guide for the British forces during the rebellion. Sitaram Pande's actions and choices highlight the complex dynamics and perspectives of the rebellion.

Sita Ram Pandey was a sepoy who served in the Bengal Army under East India Company. He came from a village near Rae Bareilly, where his father was a respected man, owning 150 acres of land. As a child he had the opportunity to learn to read and write as an acolyte of the village priest.

Meerut was the place where on 9 May 1857, a group of soldiers mutinied and walked out of their military barracks and a rebellion started.

C is the correct option.When soldiers as a group disobey their officers in the army they r called mutiny. It is the revolt or rebellion against constituted authority, especially by sailors against their officers. rebellion against any authority.

To determine the correct order of events that happened on 9 May 1857, we need to consider the chronological sequence of the given statements. Let's analyze each statement and arrange them in the correct order:
- (ii) A group of soldiers mutinied and walked out of their military barracks.
- (iv) The soldiers were dismissed and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for refusing to use the greased cartridges.
- (i) Other soldiers stationed at Meerut revolted, and British officers released the imprisoned soldiers.
- (iii) The released soldiers kill the British officers and after marching to Delhi proclaim the Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar as the emperor of India.
Arranging the statements in the correct order, we get:
(ii), (iv), (i), (iii)
Therefore, option D: (ii), (iv), (i), (iii) is the correct order of events that happened on 9 May 1857.

Revolt in Kanpur: Nana Saheb
Nana Saheb was the leader of the revolt in Kanpur. He played a significant role in the Indian Rebellion of 1857, also known as the Sepoy Mutiny. Here are some key points about Nana Saheb and his involvement in the revolt:
1. Background: Nana Saheb, also known as Dhondu Pant, was born in 1824. He was the adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao II, the last Peshwa of the Maratha Empire.
2. Grievances: Nana Saheb had several grievances against the British East India Company. He was denied his father's pension, and the annexation of his father's territories by the British further fueled his anger.
3. Leadership: When the rebellion broke out in 1857, Nana Saheb emerged as one of the prominent leaders. He organized and led the revolt in Kanpur, which was a major center of British power in North India.
4. Cawnpore Massacre: Nana Saheb's forces besieged the British garrison in Kanpur, which was led by General Hugh Wheeler. After negotiations failed, the British surrendered on June 27, 1857. However, instead of honoring the terms of surrender, Nana Saheb ordered the massacre of British men, women, and children at the Sati Chaura Ghat.
5. Aftermath: The rebellion in Kanpur was a significant setback for the British. However, their forces eventually recaptured the city in July 1857. Nana Saheb fled and his whereabouts remained unknown. There are conflicting accounts of his fate, with some suggesting he died in exile while others believe he may have survived.
In conclusion, Nana Saheb was the leader of the revolt in Kanpur during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. His actions and leadership had a significant impact on the course of the revolt in the region.

Tatya Tope also misspelled as Tantia Tope (1814 - 1859), was a general in the Indian Rebellion of 1857 and one of its notable leaders. Despite lacking formal military training, Tatya Tope is widely considered as the best and most effective rebel general.

Begum Hazrat Mahal, a prominent figure from Awadh, played a significant role in the Revolt of 1857. She led the rebellion in Lucknow along with Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah and other leaders. Known for her courage and leadership, she opposed British colonial rule and fought valiantly to protect her kingdom after her husband, Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, was exiled to Calcutta.

Mangal Pandey was arrested and sentenced to death after he attacked British officers in Barrackpore on March 29, 1857. Anticipating a revolt, British authorities moved up his initial execution date from April 18 to April 8, when he was hanged.