Test: Rebels And The Raj- 2 - Humanities/Arts MCQ

The sepoy mutiny rapidly transformed into a full-fledged rebellion marked by a widespread defiance of authority and hierarchy. Throughout May and June, the British struggled to counter the rebels' actions, leaving them with no effective response. In the face of the turmoil, individual Britons focused on preserving their own lives and the safety of their families. A British officer observed that the once-dominant British rule crumbled swiftly, likening it to the collapse of a house made of cards.

• Nightly occurrence in the Kanpur sepoy lines:

• Panchayats: Panchayats were a nightly occurrence in the Kanpur sepoy lines.

• Panchayats: These were traditional village councils where the sepoys would gather every night to discuss various issues, resolve disputes, and make decisions collectively.


• Importance: Panchayats played a crucial role in maintaining order and discipline among the sepoys, fostering a sense of community and unity.


• Decision-making: Important decisions regarding military matters, grievances, and other issues were often taken during these panchayat meetings.


• Unity: The panchayat system helped in building solidarity among the sepoys, which was crucial during times of crisis or rebellion.

• Therefore, panchayats were a significant nightly occurrence in the Kanpur sepoy lines, playing a vital role in the functioning and cohesion of the military community.

• Leaders: The rebels looked to prominent individuals within their communities who had influence and power to lead their resistance against the British rule.


• Role of Leaders: These leaders provided direction, organization, and motivation to the rebels in their fight for independence.


• Support: Leaders played a crucial role in rallying the rebels, coordinating their efforts, and strategizing against the British forces.


• Inspiration: The leaders inspired the rebels with their words and actions, instilling a sense of unity and purpose in their struggle.


• Symbol of Resistance: The leaders became symbols of resistance and defiance against colonial oppression, guiding the rebels in their quest for freedom.

• Rush To Delhi: One of the first acts of the sepoys of Meerut was to rush to Delhi in 1857.

• Support for the Rebellion: The sepoys rushed to Delhi to show their support for the rebellion against the British East India Company.

• Symbolic Act: The sepoys rushing to Delhi was a symbolic act that marked the beginning of the Indian Rebellion of 1857.

• Spread of Rebellion: The actions of the sepoys in Meerut inspired others to join the rebellion across various parts of India.

• Location: Jhansi


• Reason: The Rani of Jhansi, Lakshmibai, was forced to assume the leadership of the uprising in the city of Jhansi during the Indian Rebellion of 1857.


• Background: The uprising was a significant event in Indian history, where Indian soldiers rebelled against the British East India Company's rule.


• Leadership: Lakshmibai took charge of the defense of Jhansi and played a crucial role in leading the rebellion in the region.


• Legacy: The Rani of Jhansi became a symbol of resistance against British colonialism and is remembered for her bravery and leadership during the uprising.

• Captain Wright was the commandant of the rifle instruction depot.


• William Bentinck, Khalasi, and Wright were not the commandant of the rifle instruction depot.

• Religion Targeted: Christianity


• Reasons for Conversion: The British wanted to convert Indians to Christianity as part of their colonial agenda to impose their cultural and religious beliefs on the Indian population.


• Political Control: By converting Indians to Christianity, the British aimed to exert more control over the local population and establish a sense of superiority over them.


• Cultural Imperialism: Conversion to Christianity was seen as a way to "civilize" the Indians and make them more like the British in terms of beliefs and values.


• Missionary Activities: The British supported missionary activities in India to spread Christianity and convert more people to their faith.

• Chapattis: The answer to what was distributed from village to village is chapattis. Chapattis are a type of unleavened bread that is a staple food in many parts of India. They are easy to make and transport, making them a practical choice for distribution.

• Historical Context: In certain regions of India, it was common practice for villagers to distribute chapattis from village to village. This tradition dates back to a time when resources were scarce, and communities relied on each other for support.



• Community Support: The distribution of chapattis from village to village was a way for communities to come together and help one another in times of need. It was a symbol of solidarity and cooperation among villagers.



• Practicality: Chapattis were chosen as the food item for distribution due to their simplicity and ease of transport. They could be made quickly and in large quantities, making them ideal for sharing with neighboring villages.



• Cultural Significance: The act of distributing chapattis from village to village also held cultural significance. It represented a tradition of sharing and caring for one's neighbors, reinforcing the bonds within the community.

• British: It was the British who introduced their own administration system, laws, and land settlement and revenue collection methods in many colonies around the world.

• The British established a bureaucratic administration system in their colonies, with officials appointed to govern and manage various aspects of the colony.

• The British implemented their own legal system in the colonies, often based on English common law, to regulate and govern the local population.

• The British introduced land settlement policies that often favored their own interests, leading to the displacement of indigenous populations and the concentration of land ownership in the hands of British settlers.


• They also established land revenue collection methods to generate income for the colonial administration and support their economic activities in the colonies.

• Year of Annexation: 1856


• Background: The kingdom of Awadh, also known as Oudh, was a princely state in Northern India. It was annexed by the British East India Company in 1856.


• Reasons for Annexation: The annexation of Awadh was primarily due to misrule and internal dissent within the kingdom. The British accused the ruler of Awadh, Wajid Ali Shah, of mismanagement and suppression of the rebellion against the British during the Indian Rebellion of 1857.


• Formal Annexation: The annexation of Awadh was formalized in 1856 when the British declared the kingdom as part of British India. Wajid Ali Shah was exiled to Calcutta, and the administration of Awadh was taken over by the British.


• Consequences: The annexation of Awadh was a significant event in the history of British colonial rule in India. It led to widespread resentment among the local population and played a role in the outbreak of the Indian Rebellion of 1857, also known as the Sepoy Mutiny.

When was the subsidiary alliance imposed on Awadh?

• Answer: d

• Background: The subsidiary alliance was a system devised by the British East India Company to control the princely states in India.


• Imposition on Awadh: The subsidiary alliance was imposed on Awadh in 1801.


• Reasons: The Nawab of Awadh, Wazir Ali Khan, faced internal dissent and sought British assistance to maintain his rule.


• Terms of the Alliance: Under the subsidiary alliance, the British East India Company agreed to protect Awadh from external threats in exchange for control over its foreign relations and a British garrison stationed in the state.


• Impact: The imposition of the subsidiary alliance weakened the autonomy of Awadh and paved the way for British interference in its internal affairs.

• The British East India Company exiled Nawab Wajid Ali Shah to Calcutta as they believed he was a threat to their authority in Awadh.


• He was known for his patronage of arts, music, and dance, and his exile was seen as a loss to the cultural heritage of Awadh.


• Despite his exile, Nawab Wajid Ali Shah continued to support and promote the arts in Calcutta, leaving a lasting impact on the cultural landscape of the city.