Spectrum Test: The Revolt of 1857 - UPSC MCQ

Statement-I correctly highlights that the British policies of economic exploitation played a significant role in fostering discontent in India, which eventually led to the Revolt of 1857. Statement-II effectively supports Statement-I by explaining how the East India Company's actions, such as imposing high tariff duties on Indian goods and favoring the import of British products with low tariffs, directly impacted Indian industries and artisans, contributing to their decline. Therefore, both statements are accurate, and Statement-II logically explains the implications of Statement-I within the context of the Revolt of 1857.

1. General Service Enlistment Act - Passed in 1856
This is correctly matched. The General Service Enlistment Act was indeed passed in 1856 and it required new recruits to serve anywhere required by the government.

2. Mangal Pande - Sepoy of the 34th Native Infantry
This is correctly matched. Mangal Pande was a sepoy in the 34th Native Infantry who played a key role in the events leading up to the Revolt of 1857.

3. Nana Saheb - Leader associated with Lucknow
This is incorrectly matched. Nana Saheb was a leader associated with Kanpur, not Lucknow. Begum Hazrat Mahal was the leader associated with Lucknow.

4. Kunwar Singh - Zamindar of Jagdishpur
This is correctly matched. Kunwar Singh was indeed the zamindar of Jagdishpur and a prominent leader in the Revolt of 1857.

Hence, only three pairs are correctly matched.

• As per the Queen's proclamation, the era of annexations and expansion had ended, and the British promised to respect the dignity and rights of the native princes. 

• Henceforth, the Indian states were to recognise the Paramountcy of the British Crown and were to be treated as parts of a single charge. 

• The people of India were promised freedom of religion without interference from British officials. The proclamation also promised equal and impartial protection under the law to all Indians, besides equal opportunities in government services irrespective of race or creed. 

V D Savarkar in his book, the Indian war of independence, 1857 called The Revolt the first war of Indian independence. He said the lofty ideal of self-Rule inspired it by Indians through a Nationalist upsurge.

• During the entire revolt, there was complete cooperation between Hindus and Muslims at all levels-people, soldiers, leaders. 

• All rebels acknowledged Bahadur Shah Zafar, a Muslim, as the emperor and the first impulse of the Hindu sepoys at Meerut was to march to Delhi, the Mughal imperial capital.

• According to Maulana Azad, "Two facts stand out clearly in the midst of the tangled story of the Rising of 1857. 

• The first is the remarkable sense of unity among the Hindus and the Muslims of India in this period. The other is the deep loyalty which the people felt for the Mughal Crown." 

• Rebels and sepoys, both Hindu and Muslim, respected each other's sentiments. Immediate banning of cow slaughter was ordered once the revolt was successful in a particular area. 

• Both Hindus and Muslims were well represented in leadership; for instance, Nana Saheb had Azimullah, a Muslim and an expert in political propaganda, as an aide. In contrast, Laxmibai had the solid support of Afghan soldiers. 

• The events of 1857 demonstrated India's people and politics was not basically communal or sectarian before 1858.

1. Sir John Seeley: "Planned war of national independence" - Incorrect. Sir John Seeley did not describe the Revolt of 1857 as a "planned war of national independence." He viewed it more as a series of uncoordinated uprisings.

2. Dr. K. Datta: Marxist historian - Incorrect. Dr. K. Datta is not identified as a Marxist historian. Marxist historians, such as R.P. Dutt, typically analyzed the Revolt of 1857 from a class struggle perspective.

3. M.N. Roy: Commercial capitalism - Correct. M.N. Roy viewed the Revolt of 1857 within the broader context of commercial capitalism and its impacts.

4. S.B. Chaudhuri: Feudalism - Incorrect. S.B. Chaudhuri is known for his work on the economic history of India, but he did not specifically focus on feudalism in the context of the Revolt of 1857.

Thus, only one pair is correctly matched.

The British Resistance: 

Delhi - Lieutenant Willoughby, John Nicholson, Lieutenant Hudson 

Kanpur - Sir Hugh Wheeler, Sir Colin Campbell 

Lucknow - Henry Lawrence, Brigadier Inglis, Henry Havelock, James Outram, Sir Colin Campbell 

Jhansi - Sir Hugh Rose 

Benaras - Colonel James Neill

Statement 1: The annexation of Indian states by the East India Company indeed cut off a major source of patronage for artisans and handicrafts people. This led to significant economic distress among these communities, as they lost their traditional sources of support and income.

Statement 2: The Doctrine of Lapse was a policy implemented by the British which allowed them to annex any princely state where the ruler did not have a direct heir. This policy contributed significantly to the suspicion and discontent among Indian rulers, as it threatened their sovereignty and autonomy.

Statement 3: The Religious Disabilities Act, 1856, did not aim to protect religious rights and properties; rather, it was perceived as an interference in religious affairs. It allowed individuals who converted to other religions to inherit property, which was seen as undermining traditional religious practices and beliefs.

Therefore, the correct statements are 1 and 2, making Option B: 1 and 2 Only the correct answer.

• White Mutiny: In the wake of the transfer of power from the British East India Company to the British Crown, a section of European forces employed under the Company resented the move that required three Presidency Armies to transfer their allegiance from the defunct Company to the Queen, as in the British Army. This resentment resulted in some unrest termed as White Mutiny. 

• Lord Canning's legalistic interpretation of the laws surrounding the transfer also infuriated the affected White soldiers. 

• The White Mutiny was seen as a potential threat to India's already precarious British position with a potential of inciting renewed rebellion among the 'still excited population in India'. The demands of the European Forces' included an enlistment bonus or a choice of release from their obligations. 

• Finally, the demand for free and clear release with free passage home was accepted, and men opted to return home. It is also believed that open rebellion and physical violence on the part of European Forces' were such that there was little possibility of being accepted into the 'Queen's Army.

The correct answer is:

b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I

• Statement-I is correct because the British did face significant challenges and losses in the First Afghan War, Punjab Wars, and Crimean Wars around the time of the 1857 revolt. These conflicts impacted the British resources and focus.
• Statement-II is also correct, as the issue of foreign service allowance (Bhatta) was a point of contention and dissatisfaction among the sepoys, contributing to their grievances.

However, Statement-II does not explain Statement-I, as the dissatisfaction over Bhatta is not directly related to the British losses in the wars mentioned in Statement-I.