Q1: What was the immediate cause that sparked the Revolt of 1857? (a) Introduction of the Doctrine of Lapse (b) Annexation of Awadh (c) Introduction of Enfield rifle with cartridges rumoured to be coated with cow and pig fat (d) Removal of Mughal names from Company coins
Solution:
Ans: (c) Explanation: The Enfield rifle cartridges were rumoured to contain cow and pig fat, offending Hindu and Muslim sepoys' religious beliefs, leading them to refuse using these cartridges and sparking widespread anger.
Q2: Who proclaimed Bahadur Shah Zafar as Emperor of Hindustan during the revolt? (a) British officers at Meerut (b) Rebels who captured the Red Fort in Delhi (c) Governor General Dalhousie (d) Nana Saheb at Kanpur
Solution:
Ans: (b) Explanation: After the rebels captured Delhi and the Red Fort, they proclaimed Bahadur Shah Zafar as Emperor of Hindustan, making him the symbolic leader of the revolt against British rule.
Q3: Which British policy required new army recruits to serve overseas, offending religious beliefs? (a) Subsidiary Alliance (b) Doctrine of Lapse (c) General Service Enlistment Act of 1856 (d) Government of India Act 1858
Solution:
Ans: (c) Explanation: The General Service Enlistment Act of 1856 required new recruits to serve overseas if needed, which offended religious beliefs about crossing the sea, causing dissatisfaction among sepoys.
Q4: What happened to Bahadur Shah Zafar after Delhi was recaptured by the British? (a) He was executed in Delhi (b) He escaped to Nepal (c) He was imprisoned and deported to Rangoon where he died in 1862 (d) He was allowed to stay in the Red Fort
Solution:
Ans: (c) Explanation: After Delhi was recaptured in September 1857, Bahadur Shah Zafar was imprisoned, tried, and then deported to Rangoon, where he died in 1862, ending the Mughal dynasty.
Q5: Which leader led the revolt in Jhansi after the British refused to recognise her adopted son's claim to the throne? (a) Begum Hazrat Mahal (b) Rani Lakshmibai (c) Nana Saheb (d) Tantia Tope
Solution:
Ans: (b) Explanation: Rani Lakshmibai led the revolt in Jhansi after the British refused to recognise her adopted son as heir to the throne, forcing her to fight for her kingdom's rights.
Fill in the Blanks
Q1: On March 29, 1857, _____ at Barrackpore fired at a British officer, urging others to join the revolt.
Solution:
Ans: Mangal Pandey
Q2: Governor General _____ announced that Bahadur Shah Zafar's descendants would not stay in the Red Fort after his death.
Solution:
Ans: Dalhousie
Q3: The _____ policy was adopted by the British to prevent unity among Indians after the revolt.
Solution:
Ans: Divide and Rule
Q4: In Lucknow, _____ led the revolt and declared her son Birjis Qadr as Nawab.
Solution:
Ans: Begum Hazrat Mahal
Q5: The East India Company's rule ended with the _____ Act of 1858.
Solution:
Ans: Government of India
True or False
Q1: Nana Saheb was granted his father Peshwa Baji Rao II's pension by the British.
Solution:
Ans: False Explanation: Nana Saheb, the adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao II, was denied his father's pension by the British, causing resentment among ruling families.
Q2: The Industrial Revolution led to the decline of Indian handicraft industries.
Solution:
Ans: True Explanation: The Industrial Revolution caused cheap British machine-made goods to flood the Indian market, leading to the decline of traditional Indian handicraft industries and unemployment.
Q3: Sepoys were allowed to wear religious marks like tilak, turbans, and beards throughout British rule.
Solution:
Ans: False Explanation: Sepoys were later barred from wearing religious marks like tilak, turbans, or beards, which disturbed their religious practices and caused dissatisfaction among them.
Q4: At Meerut, 85 sepoys refused to use new cartridges and were sentenced to 10 years in jail.
Solution:
Ans: True Explanation: At Meerut, 85 sepoys who refused to use the new cartridges were dismissed from service and sentenced to ten years in jail for their defiance.
Q5: The revolt received support from Bengal, Punjab, and South India.
Solution:
Ans: False Explanation: The revolt was limited to North and Central India, with Bengal, Punjab, and South India not participating in the uprising against the British.
Match the Following
Column A
Column B
1. Kunwar Singh
A. Led revolt in Bareilly
2. Tantia Tope
B. Led Khurda Uprising in 1817
3. Khan Bahadur Khan
C. Fought guerrilla warfare until captured in 1859
4. Bakht Khan
D. 80-year-old zamindar who destroyed indigo factories
5. Buxi Jagabandhu
E. Soldier from Bareilly who led revolt at Delhi
Solution:
Ans:
1 - D: Kunwar Singh was an 80-year-old zamindar from Arrah who led rebels to destroy indigo factories, which were symbols of British oppression.
2 - C: Tantia Tope fought guerrilla warfare against the British until he was captured and killed in April 1859.
3 - A: Khan Bahadur Khan, a former British pensioner, took leadership of the revolt in Bareilly and fought against British forces during the uprising.
4 - E: Bakht Khan was a soldier from Bareilly who came to Delhi and took command of the revolt, leading rebel forces in the capital.
5 - B: Buxi Jagabandhu led the armed uprising in Khurda, Odisha in 1817 alongside Raja Mukunda Deva II against British policies and oppression.
Short Answer Questions
Q1: What were the political causes that contributed to the Revolt of 1857?
Solution:
Ans: British policies like Subsidiary Alliance and Doctrine of Lapse weakened Indian rulers, making them subordinates. The British stationed residents in courts, disbanded rulers' armies, and seized their revenues and territories. Many rulers lost titles and pensions, causing resentment among ruling families. Awadh was annexed in 1856, and Mughal emperors lost real power, with their names removed from coins.
Q2: Describe the role of Rani Lakshmibai in the Revolt of 1857.
Solution:
Ans: Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi led the revolt after the British refused to recognise her adopted son's claim to the throne. She fought bravely alongside Tantia Tope and briefly regained control of Jhansi. When the British recaptured Jhansi in 1858, she fled to Gwalior where she continued fighting. She died in battle in June 1858, becoming a symbol of resistance.
Q3: What were the economic causes that led to the Revolt of 1857?
Solution:
Ans: British land revenue policies extracted maximum revenue, leaving peasants oppressed by high rates from zamindars and moneylenders. Many old zamindars lost their lands, which were confiscated. Famines became frequent due to harsh revenue policies. The Industrial Revolution led to the decline of Indian handicraft industries as cheap British machine-made goods flooded the market, causing unemployment among artisans.
Q4: How did the revolt begin and spread from Meerut to Delhi?
Solution:
Ans: At Meerut, 85 sepoys who refused to use new cartridges were dismissed and sentenced to ten years in jail. The next day, Meerut sepoys freed their colleagues, captured weapons, killed British officers, and set British property on fire. They then marched to Delhi, where local sepoys joined them, killed British officers, and captured arms. At the Red Fort, rebels proclaimed Bahadur Shah Zafar as Emperor.
Q5: What were the effects of the Revolt of 1857 on British policies in India?
Solution:
Ans: The East India Company's rule ended with the Government of India Act 1858, transferring power to the British Crown. A Secretary of State for India was appointed. The British assured Indian rulers their rights and lands would be respected. The army was restructured, increasing European soldiers. The British promised non-interference in religious matters and adopted a Divide and Rule policy.
1. What were the main causes of the Revolt of 1857?
Ans. The main causes of the Revolt of 1857 included widespread discontent among Indian soldiers (sepoys) due to harsh service conditions, cultural insensitivity shown by the British, the introduction of the Enfield rifle, and the economic exploitation of Indian farmers and artisans. These factors collectively led to a significant uprising against British rule.
2. Who were the prominent leaders of the Revolt of 1857?
Ans. The prominent leaders of the Revolt of 1857 included figures such as Mangal Pandey, who ignited the rebellion, Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, who fought valiantly against British forces, and Bahadur Shah II, the last Mughal emperor, who was symbolic of the uprising and its initial leadership.
3. How did the British respond to the Revolt of 1857?
Ans. The British response to the Revolt of 1857 was marked by severe military action to suppress the uprising. They employed brutal tactics, including mass executions, destruction of villages, and the imposition of martial law. The revolt was ultimately crushed, leading to the dissolution of the East India Company and the establishment of direct British rule over India.
4. What were the consequences of the Revolt of 1857 for India?
Ans. The consequences of the Revolt of 1857 included significant changes in British policy towards India. It resulted in the end of the East India Company's rule and the establishment of direct control by the British Crown. It also led to reforms in the military and administration and sparked a nationalistic movement among Indians seeking independence.
5. How is the Revolt of 1857 viewed in contemporary India?
Ans. In contemporary India, the Revolt of 1857 is often viewed as the first war of independence against colonial rule. It is commemorated for its role in igniting the spirit of nationalism and is seen as a pivotal moment in Indian history that laid the groundwork for future struggles for freedom.
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