- Immediate cause: Enfield rifle cartridge issue
- Political: Doctrine of Lapse, annexation of Awadh
- Economic: Land revenue, discontented sepoys
- Social: Fear of religious conversion, discrimination
- Major centres: Delhi (Bahadur Shah Zafar), Kanpur (Nana Sahib), Jhansi (Rani Lakshmi Bai), Lucknow (Begum Hazrat Mahal)
- British suppression: General Havelock, Colin Campbell
- Queen’s Proclamation 1858
- Historical debate: First War of Independence or sepoy mutiny?
Introduction:
The Revolt of 1857 was a significant uprising against British rule, primarily in North and Central India. It was immediately triggered by the introduction of the Pattern 1853 Enfield rifle-musket in 1856-57, which required biting off greased paper cartridges. The grease, reportedly made from cow and pig fat, directly violated the religious dietary laws of both Hindu and Muslim sepoys. This perceived insult to religious identity, along with political grievances like the Doctrine of Lapse and the annexation of Awadh, economic exploitation through various land revenue systems, and social fears of religious conversion, fueled the widespread rebellion
Immediate Cause of the Revolt of 1857: Enfield Rifle Cartridge Issue
Introduction of the Rifle
- Rifle Introduced: Pattern 1853 Enfield rifle-musket.
- Deployment: Introduced for Indian troops in 1856–57.
- Cartridge Mechanism: The rifle required biting off the tip of a greased paper cartridge to load the gunpowder.
Composition of the Grease
- Grease reportedly made from cow fat (offensive to Hindus) and pig fat (offensive to Muslims).
- The act of biting the cartridge directly violated religious dietary laws of both Hindu and Muslim sepoys.
Perceived Intent and Religious Sensitivity
- The grease issue was perceived not as an accident but as a deliberate attempt to pollute religious identity.
- The issue came amidst growing suspicion due to:
- The General Service Enlistment Act, 1856, which required sepoys to serve overseas (against Hindu beliefs).
- Christian missionary activity, backed by British officials and military chaplains.
- Sepoys interpreted these developments as an attack on their religion, rituals, and caste purity.
Chronology of Events
Strategic and Psychological Impact
- The cartridge issue triggered mass defiance because it insulted deeply held religious beliefs, not due to mere logistical problems.
- The belief in a British conspiracy to destroy Indian religions unified Hindu and Muslim sepoys.
- The symbolic action of biting the cartridge became a marker of resistance.
Key Static Facts
Note:-
- The cartridge issue was not an isolated error in military supply; it became the last catalyst in a series of religio-cultural, economic, and military grievances.
- The sequence of events beginning with Mangal Pandey’s resistance and Meerut’s mutiny proves the operational centrality of this issue to the outbreak.
Political: Doctrine of Lapse, annexation of Awadh
Political Causes of the Revolt of 1857
Key Factors:
- Doctrine of Lapse
- Annexation of Awadh (1856)
Doctrine of Lapse
🔹 Definition and Policy
- Introduced by Lord Dalhousie, Governor-General of India (1848–1856).
- Stated that any princely state under the suzerainty of the British East India Company would be annexed if the ruler died without a natural (biological) male heir.
- The right of adoption was not recognised, which violated Indian customs and Hindu law.
Territories Annexed under the Doctrine
(All annexations were carried out without popular consent and in violation of traditional rights, causing grievance among rulers and their subjects.)
Effects
- Displaced rulers (e.g., Rani Lakshmi Bai) became key rebel leaders.
- Legitimacy of British rule was questioned by Indian elites.
- Erosion of political autonomy created deep resentment among princes, nobles, and their dependents.
Annexation of Awadh (Oudh) – 1856
Background
- Unlike annexations through Doctrine of Lapse, Awadh was annexed under “misgovernance” despite the Nawab being loyal to the British.
- Annexation ordered by Lord Dalhousie, implemented in February 1856.
- Nawab Wajid Ali Shah was exiled to Calcutta, and his kingdom annexed.
Grounds of Annexation
British accused Awadh of:
- Corruption in administration
- Lawlessness and poor governance
- Failure to protect citizens and manage state affairs
- No heir or succession issue was involved, making it a purely political and strategic takeover.
🔹 Strategic Motive
- Awadh was seen as the “granary of North India” and had fertile land, rich revenue, and a strong sepoy base.
- The British wanted direct control over its resources and army recruitment pool.
Effects of Awadh Annexation
On Royalty:
- The Nawab’s dispossession hurt Muslim aristocracy.
- Cultural centres (Lucknow) faced decline.
- Royal patronage of poets, musicians, and scholars collapsed.
On Sepoys:
- Awadh was a major recruitment zone for Bengal Army sepoys.
- Sepoys felt personally affected:
- The annexation insulted their regional pride.
- Their relatives faced increased land revenue, loss of jobs, and eviction.
On Population:
- Talukdars (landed elites) were displaced or heavily taxed.
- Peasants were subjected to British revenue extraction.
- Sense of betrayal and humiliation pervaded all classes.
Awadh’s annexation directly contributed to the massive participation of civilians and sepoys from the region in the Revolt of 1857.
Key Static Facts
Note:-“The annexation of Awadh proved to be not just a strategic miscalculation but also a political blunder—it alienated both the landed aristocracy and sepoy community, turning them into fierce opponents of British rule.”
Economic: Land revenue, discontented sepoys
Economic Causes of the Revolt of 1857
Focus:
- Land Revenue Systems and Peasant Exploitation
- Discontent of Sepoys (Military Economic Grievances)
Land Revenue Systems and Peasant Exploitation
Permanent Settlement (Introduced: 1793, Bengal Presidency)
- Zamindars were given proprietary rights over land; cultivators became tenants-at-will.
- Company fixed high revenue demand, often exceeding what zamindars could collect.
- Failure to pay led to auction of estates.
- Peasants faced eviction and had no legal rights to the land.
Ryotwari Settlement (Introduced: Madras and Bombay Presidencies)
- Peasants (ryots) directly dealt with the British for land revenue.
- High and inflexible revenue demands.
- In case of crop failure, ryots were forced to take loans from moneylenders at exorbitant interest rates.
- This led to chronic indebtedness and land alienation.
Mahalwari System (Introduced: North-Western Provinces, parts of Punjab)
- Revenue is fixed at the level of the entire village (mahal).
- Each household is liable for the full amount, leading to communal pressure.
- Revenue reassessments increased burden periodically.
Impact on Peasantry
- All land settlements led to excessive taxation.
- No investment in irrigation, inputs, or relief during famines.
- Moneylenders became landowners by grabbing mortgaged land.
- Records, revenue offices, and account books were attacked during the revolt.
- Many peasants supported the rebellion to resist this exploitative system.
Discontent of Sepoys: Economic Factors
•Salary Structure and Service Conditions
- Indian sepoys received Rs. 7–9 per month.
- From their salary, they had to pay for:
- Uniform
- Food
- Transport of personal belongings
• In contrast, British soldiers had these expenses covered.
• An Indian sepoy cost one-third of a British soldier to the East India Company.
•Lack of Promotion and Status
- Indian sepoys were restricted to the rank of Subedar.
- British officers, even junior recruits, held superior command positions.
- Racial hierarchy embedded in military structure.
• Deductions and Allowances
- Batta (field allowance) was often denied or reduced arbitrarily.
- No pension or reward for long years of service.
•Impact of Rural Distress
- Most sepoys came from agricultural backgrounds, especially from Awadh, Bihar, and North-West Provinces.
- Their families suffered due to increased taxation and land dispossession.
- Their military income was insufficient to support their indebted rural households.
Summary of Sepoy Economic Grievances
Key Static Facts
Note:-
The economic discontent of both peasants and sepoys was interlinked. The same oppressive land revenue policies that bankrupted rural families also undermined the morale of the sepoys drawn from them. The sepoy’s sword became the arm of the peasant’s revenge, directed at British revenue offices and military installations alike.
Social: Fear of religious conversion, discrimination
Social Causes of the Revolt of 1857: Fear of Religious Conversion and Discrimination
• Religious Interference by the British State
- The East India Company, especially after the Charter Act of 1813, allowed Christian missionaries to operate freely in India. This state-sponsored proselytism generated widespread suspicion.
The British administration:
- Funded Christian chaplains in army regiments and civil establishments.
- Allowed missionary preaching even among sepoys during military training and deployments.
- Provided police protection to missionaries, reinforcing the belief that conversion to Christianity was a colonial objective.
•Military Reforms and Religious Offense
Sepoys, mainly from upper-caste Hindus and Muslims, felt targeted:
- In 1856, the General Service Enlistment Act required new recruits to serve overseas if ordered. This violated orthodox Hindu norms, where crossing the ‘Kala Pani’ (black waters) meant loss of caste purity.
- Wearing of caste-marks and beards was prohibited in the army, directly insulting both Hindu and Muslim religious identity.
- Christian prayers and activities were introduced in cantonments, undermining traditional practices.
•The Greased Cartridge Incident – Immediate Cause
•The newly introduced Enfield rifle cartridges, coated with beef and pig fat, had to be bitten off before loading.
- Hindus were offended due to the use of cow fat (sacred animal).
- Muslims were offended due to the use of pig fat (prohibited animal).
•The event not only confirmed fears of religious violation but was seen as proof of a deliberate British plan to defile Indian religions and convert sepoys.
•The sepoy revolt began in Barrackpore (Mangal Pandey incident) and rapidly spread after the Meerut mutiny.
•Broader Civilian Perception of Religious Threat
- Conversions to Christianity were reported in several regions, especially among tribal and rural populations.
- Hindu and Muslim clerics (pandits and maulvis), once state-supported in princely courts, lost their influence under British rule and feared annihilation of their traditional authority.
- Religious reform laws like abolition of Sati (1829) and legalisation of widow remarriage (1856), though progressive, were perceived as attacks on Hindu customs by traditionalists.
• Impact on Sepoy Sentiment
- The British were already unpopular due to:
- Poor pay and unequal treatment of Indian soldiers.
- Inability to rise beyond the rank of Subedar, while British officers—even new recruits—were made commanders.
- These administrative discriminations, combined with religious policies, alienated the sepoys, making them a central force in the uprising.
Contemporary and Scholarly Opinions
| •W.H. Russell, a British journalist, noted the depth of native resentment: “The language of the eye says it all. Not even fear remains—only dislike and hatred.” •Benjamin Disraeli stated in British Parliament (1857): “Empires do not fall due to greased cartridges alone… deeper causes are at work.” •Savarkar later interpreted the revolt as a Hindu-Muslim unified response to protect “Dharma and Desh” from religious and cultural destruction. |
Major centres: Delhi (Bahadur Shah Zafar), Kanpur (Nana Sahib), Jhansi (Rani Lakshmi Bai), Lucknow (Begum Hazrat Mahal)
Major Centres of the Revolt of 1857 and Their Leadership
Delhi – Bahadur Shah Zafar
Strategic Role:
- Delhi was the symbolic and political heart of the rebellion.
Leadership:
- Bahadur Shah II (Zafar), the last Mughal Emperor, was declared the Emperor of Hindustan by the sepoys from Meerut.
- Though aged and lacking real power, his name held tremendous symbolic significance for unifying rebel forces.
- Bakht Khan, a former Subedar from Bareilly, took real command of military operations in Delhi after July 1857 and set up a Court of Administration, which included both Hindu and Muslim representatives.
Significance:
- The proclamation of Bahadur Shah as Emperor helped establish a pan-Indian identity for the revolt.
- Delhi became the nerve centre of the rebellion, and its fall on 20 September 1857 marked a decisive turning point.
Outcome:
- Delhi was recaptured after fierce fighting; Bahadur Shah was arrested, tried, and exiled to Rangoon; his sons were executed by Captain Hudson.
Kanpur – Nana Saheb
Leadership:
- Nana Saheb, the adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao II, was denied pension by the British, which became a major personal and political grievance.
- He declared himself the Peshwa and established his rule in Kanpur while acknowledging Bahadur Shah Zafar as Emperor.
- He was supported by Tantya Tope, his general and a formidable guerrilla strategist.
Major Events:
- Initial British forces surrendered, but during their evacuation, the Bibighar massacre took place, where many British women and children were killed (a highly controversial episode).
- Tantya Tope continued resistance after Nana Saheb fled to Nepal post-defeat in 1859.
Significance:
- The Kanpur episode was one of the bloodiest of the rebellion, heavily used by British media to justify reprisals.
- Showed effective coordination between civil and military wings.
Jhansi – Rani Lakshmibai
Background:
- After the Doctrine of Lapse, Lord Dalhousie annexed Jhansi in 1854, rejecting Rani Lakshmi Bai’s adopted son’s claim.
Leadership:
- Initially hesitant, she became a central figure in the revolt once it began.
- Known for her unparalleled bravery and military strategy, she led her troops personally and formed an alliance with Tantya Tope.
Events:
- Jhansi was attacked by British forces led by Sir Hugh Rose.
- Rani Lakshmibai died in the Battle of Gwalior (June 1858) while fighting valiantly in disguise.
Significance:
- Symbol of woman-led resistance against colonial power.
- Her martyrdom made her a national icon of Indian independence.
Lucknow – Begum Hazrat Mahal
Background:
- The British annexed Awadh in 1856 citing “misgovernance” by Nawab Wajid Ali Shah.
- Begum Hazrat Mahal, his wife, took over political leadership and declared her son Birjis Qadr the Nawab of Awadh.
Leadership:
- She forged an effective rebel government and was supported by Maulavi Ahmadullah Shah of Faizabad, a dynamic military leader.
Events:
- The British Residency at Lucknow was under siege for months.
- After initial victories, the city was recaptured by the British under Sir Colin Campbell.
Outcome:
- Begum Hazrat Mahal escaped to Nepal.
Significance:
- Marked the largest and most organized urban resistance.
- Highlighted Muslim-led opposition in Awadh and added religious and nationalist colour to the revolt.
Summary Table for Quick Revision
| Mnemonic: “DELHI-JKL” D – Delhi (Bahadur Shah Zafar & Bakht Khan)E – Emperor proclaimed (symbolic unity)L – Lucknow (Begum Hazrat Mahal)H – Heroine of Jhansi (Rani Lakshmi Bai)I – Indianised command (Tantya Tope, Bakht Khan)J – Jhansi (Valour & Vengeance)K – Kanpur (Nana Saheb & massacre)L – Last stand of traditional India |
British Suppression of the Revolt of 1857: Role of General Havelock and Colin Campbell
Background to the British Suppression Strategy
- After the outbreak of the revolt at Meerut (10 May 1857) and its spread to major centers like Delhi, Kanpur, Lucknow, and Jhansi, the British aimed to recapture these key nodes swiftly.
The suppression strategy was characterized by:
- Swift and ruthless military retaliation
- Concentrated attacks on major rebel strongholds
- Divide-and-rule tactics
- Reliance on loyal Indian princely states and regiments (e.g., Sikhs, Gorkhas)
General Henry Havelock: Role in Kanpur
Appointment & Initial Actions:
- Sent from Allahabad with a small but disciplined force in June 1857.
- Played a key role in relieving Kanpur, which had fallen under Nana Saheb’s control.
Military Engagements:
- Defeated rebel forces at Fatehpur, Aong, and Pandoo Nadi, showcasing superior tactical planning.
- Entered Kanpur on 17 July 1857, but found the garrison already massacred in the Bibighar incident (British women and children killed).
Significance:
- His victories helped re-establish British morale.
- Became a national hero in Britain.
- Died of dysentery shortly after, in November 1857.
Evaluation:
- Though a skilled tactician, his force was too small for sustained operations. Nevertheless, he laid the groundwork for further British consolidation.
Sir Colin Campbell: Commander-in-Chief & Strategic Leadership
Appointment:
- Appointed as Commander-in-Chief of the British forces in India during the revolt.
- Known for meticulous planning and methodical execution.
Key Operations:
First Relief of Lucknow (Nov 1857):
- Rescued besieged British civilians and soldiers from the Residency.
- Used disciplined military manoeuvres avoiding high-casualty frontal assaults.
Second Relief and Recapture of Lucknow (March 1858):
- Along with Sir James Outram and General Havelock’s successors, launched a full-scale assault and regained full control over Lucknow.
- Followed a systematic campaign using heavy artillery and engineering corps.
Final Suppression:
- Played a crucial role in defeating rebel forces in Central India, coordinating with loyalist native rulers like Scindia of Gwalior.
- Ensured rebels like Tantya Tope were pursued and eventually executed.
Strategic Contributions:
- Focused on logistical strength and systematic siege warfare.
- Emphasized avoiding overextension—relied heavily on reinforcements from Britain.
| Repression Tactics Used by the British Martial law imposed across North India.Public executions (e.g., blowing rebels from cannons).Destruction of entire villages suspected of aiding rebels.Use of Indian collaborators: Punjab troops, Gorkhas, and Princely states like Hyderabad, Patiala.Targeted reprisals: Massacre in Delhi after its fall in September 1857, including the killing of Bahadur Shah Zafar’s sons. |
Final Phase and Consolidation (1858–59)
- Delhi was recaptured in September 1857.
- Kanpur, Lucknow, and Jhansi pacified by mid-1858.
- Tantya Tope captured and executed in April 1859.
- By July 1859, the revolt was officially declared over.
Timeline: British Suppression of the Revolt of 1857
| Memory Tip (Mnemonic for Major Events): “M-K-C-L-D-L-L-G-J”Meerut → Kanpur → Campbell arrives → Lucknow 1st Relief → Delhi Recaptured → Lucknow Final Recapture → Gwalior (Rani’s death) → July 1859 (Revolt over) |
Queen’s Proclamation of 1858
- Issued on: November 1, 1858
- By: Queen Victoria (read publicly at Allahabad by Lord Canning)
- Context: In the aftermath of the Revolt of 1857, the British Crown formally took over governance from the East India Company. The Proclamation was meant to mark this transition and pacify Indian sentiment.
Historical Background
- The Government of India Act 1858 abolished the East India Company and transferred administrative control to the British Crown.
- This proclamation was the formal announcement of that transfer and was intended to win over Indian princes and subjects, especially after the traumatic revolt.
Key Provisions of the Proclamation
Abolition of Company Rule
- Declared that the Queen would now assume direct governance of India.
- The East India Company was abolished.
Non-Intervention in Religion
- “We disclaim the right and the desire to impose Our Convictions on any of Our subjects.”
- Promised tolerance and neutrality in religious matters.
- Aimed to reverse the perception of forced Christianization under Company rule.
Equal Treatment Under Law
- Equal and impartial protection of law to Indians and British subjects alike.
- No discrimination based on race, caste, religion, or place of birth.
- This marked the early articulation of equality before law, though not fully realized.
Honouring of Treaties and Alliances
- Past treaties with princely states to be respected.
- Future annexations were renounced.
- Signaled the end of the Doctrine of Lapse and sought loyalty from native rulers.
Assurance to Landholders
- Promised that land rights of loyal subjects would be respected.
- Intended to pacify zamindars and taluqdars, many of whom had sided with rebels.
Administrative Appointments
- Indians could be employed in public services, subject to qualifications.
- Though vague, this was a foundational step towards Indianization of services.
Clemency to Rebels (Except Murderers)
- General amnesty offered to those who had taken part in the rebellion, except those found guilty of murder or atrocities.
- This was to pacify moderate rebels and prevent further resistance.
Commitment to Development
- Promised welfare, prosperity, and progress of Indian subjects.
- Marked the Crown’s intention to ‘civilize’ and ‘improve’ governance, in line with liberal imperialism.
Significance and Impact
Political Significance
- Marked the beginning of British Crown Rule (1858–1947).
- Initiated the era of Viceroyalty – Lord Canning became the first Viceroy of India.
- The Doctrine of Lapse officially ended, reassuring native states of their sovereignty under British suzerainty.
Administrative Impact
- Introduction of Secretary of State for India with a 15-member Council in London.
- Reforms in civil services and administration were promised but remained exclusive to British elites for decades.
Social Impact
- Religious neutrality clause aimed at rebuilding trust with Indians, especially after fears generated by missionary zeal.
- Land and property assurances pacified influential zamindars.
Criticism and Limitations
- Despite lofty promises, racial discrimination continued in appointments and treatment.
- Indian representation in administration remained minimal.
- Real participation in governance was denied until Indian Councils Act 1861, and even then in a limited form.
- The promised religious neutrality was used selectively, and the divide-and-rule policy grew stronger later.
The Revolt of 1857: First War of Independence or Sepoy Mutiny?
Background of the Revolt
- Immediate Trigger: Introduction of the Enfield rifle with greased cartridges (made from cow and pig fat) offended both Hindu and Muslim religious sentiments.
Underlying Causes:
- Economic exploitation (e.g., oppressive land revenue systems—Permanent, Ryotwari, Mahalwari).
- Political annexations under Dalhousie’s Doctrine of Lapse.
- Social and cultural interference (missionary activity, attempts at westernization).
- Discontent among sepoys due to poor pay, racial discrimination, and fear of forced Christianization.
- Alienation of middle and upper Indian classes from administration.
Nature of the Revolt: Mutiny or War of Independence?
- British Official Viewpoint: Sepoy Mutiny
- Seen as a military insubordination, especially by the Bengal Army.
- British officials like John Lawrence and Lord Canning termed it a limited disturbance.
- The British focus was on military discipline breakdown, not political rebellion.
Nationalist Historians’ Viewpoint: First War of Independence
- Vinayak Damodar Savarkar (1909): Called it the “First War of Indian Independence.” He highlighted its pan-Indian character, unity among Hindus and Muslims, and patriotic motivations.
- Supported by S.B. Chaudhury and Talmiz Khaldun, who viewed it as a popular uprising against colonial exploitation, transcending religious and regional boundaries.
Marxist and Revisionist Views
- R.C. Majumdar argued it was neither national nor a war of independence, but a series of uncoordinated local revolts with diverse motivations.
- Bipan Chandra emphasized the feudal and backward-looking nature of leadership (e.g., Bahadur Shah, Rani of Jhansi, Nana Saheb) and lack of modern ideology or national unity.
Scope and Organization
- Revolt spread across North and Central India: Delhi, Kanpur, Lucknow, Jhansi, Arrah.
- Included both civilian and military participation—sepoys, peasants, zamindars, artisans.
- Symbols of resistance: Red lotuses, chapatis circulated to coordinate rebellion.
| Leadership was regionally fragmented: Bahadur Shah II (Delhi)Nana Saheb and Tantya Tope (Kanpur)Rani Lakshmi Bai (Jhansi)Begum Hazrat Mahal (Awadh)Kunwar Singh (Bihar) Lack of central coordination weakened the resistance. |
Reasons for Failure
- Lack of Pan-Indian Unity – Revolt confined largely to the Gangetic plain; south and east remained passive.
- No Common Ideology or Vision – Absence of a coherent plan for post-British governance.
- Lack of Modern Leadership – Dominated by conservative, feudal interests.
- British Military Superiority – Better equipment, reinforcements, and strategic command.
- Disunity among Rebel Leaders – Rivalries, lack of trust (e.g., Begum Hazrat Mahal vs. Maulvi Ahmadullah).
- Neutrality or Support of Indian Princes and Educated Classes – Many feared Mughal or Maratha restoration more than British rule.
Consequences and Impact
- End of Company Rule: The Government of India Act 1858 transferred power to the British Crown.
- Reorganization of Army: Increased ratio of European to Indian soldiers; artillery kept in British hands.
- Divide and Rule: Communal, caste, and regional divisions institutionalized.
- Changed Policy Towards Princes: Doctrine of Lapse abandoned; native princes co-opted.
- Social Repercussions: Emerging Indian nationalism realized the need for modern, organized resistance—eventually leading to the Indian National Movement.
Conclusion:
The British ultimately suppressed the Revolt of 1857 through ruthless military retaliation and concentrated attacks on rebel strongholds. Key figures in this suppression included General Henry Havelock at Kanpur and Sir Colin Campbell, who commanded forces for the recapture of Lucknow. The defeat of the revolt led to the formal end of East India Company rule and the transfer of administrative control to the British Crown via the Queen’s Proclamation of 1858. This proclamation abolished the Company, promised non-intervention in religion, and renounced future annexations, ending the Doctrine of Lapse. Despite its suppression, the revolt’s legacy influenced the emerging Indian nationalism, highlighting the need for organized resistance.
MCQ :-
1. Consider the following statements regarding the immediate cause of the Revolt of 1857:
The Pattern 1853 Enfield rifle-musket was introduced for Indian troops in 1856-57.
The greased cartridges were reportedly made from cow fat and pig fat.
The act of biting the cartridge violated the religious dietary laws of both Hindu and Muslim sepoys.
The General Service Enlistment Act, 1856, which required sepoys to serve overseas, was a part of the immediate trigger.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Correct Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 3 only
Explanation: The General Service Enlistment Act, 1856, was a contributing factor to the growing suspicion, but the immediate trigger was specifically the Enfield rifle and its greased cartridges. The act itself was a long-term grievance, not the single immediate trigger like the cartridges.
2 . Which of the following princely states were annexed under the Doctrine of Lapse by Lord Dalhousie?
Satara
Jhansi
Awadh
Nagpur
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Correct Answer: (c) 1, 2 and 4 only
Explanation: Awadh was annexed on the grounds of “misgovernance,” not under the Doctrine of Lapse. Satara, Jhansi, and Nagpur were annexed under the Doctrine of Lapse.
3. With reference to the economic causes of the Revolt of 1857, consider the following statements:
Under the Permanent Settlement, zamindars were given proprietary rights over land.
In the Ryotwari Settlement, peasants directly dealt with the British for land revenue.
Indian sepoys received a higher salary compared to British soldiers.
Most sepoys came from agricultural backgrounds and their families suffered due to increased taxation.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1, 2 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 3 and 4 only
Correct Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 4 only
Explanation: Indian sepoys received significantly lower pay (Rs. 7-9 per month) compared to British soldiers, and their expenses were not covered, unlike British soldiers.
4. Match the following major centres of the Revolt of 1857 with their respective leaders:
List-I (Centre) List-II (Leader)
A. Delhi 1. Nana Saheb
B. Kanpur 2. Rani Lakshmibai
C. Jhansi 3. Bahadur Shah Zafar
D. Lucknow 4. Begum Hazrat Mahal
Select the correct matching using the codes given below:
(a) A-3, B-1, C-2, D-4
(b) A-1, B-3, C-4, D-2
(c) A-3, B-2, C-1, D-4
(d) A-4, B-1, C-2, D-3
Correct Answer: (a) A-3, B-1, C-2, D-4
Explanation:
Delhi: Bahadur Shah Zafar (and Bakht Khan for military operations )
Kanpur: Nana Saheb
Jhansi: Rani Lakshmibai
Lucknow: Begum Hazrat Mahal
