Revolt of 1857 — Set 6
Indian History · 1857 की क्रांति · Questions 51–60 of 70
The sepoys marched from Meerut to which city on 11th May 1857?
Correct Answer: A. Delhi
• Sepoys marched from Meerut to **Delhi on 11 May 1857** — proclaimed **Bahadur Shah Zafar** as leader. • This move gave the revolt **political legitimacy** — the last Mughal emperor as symbolic head. • The revolt formally began at Meerut on 10 May 1857; Delhi was reached the next morning. • 💡 Lucknow = Begum Hazrat Mahal led; Kanpur = Nana Saheb; Agra = Fort held by British; Delhi = Bahadur Shah.
Who described Rani Laxmibai as the 'best and bravest of the military leaders of the rebels'?
Correct Answer: C. Hugh Rose
• **General Hugh Rose** described Rani Lakshmibai as **'the best and bravest of the military leaders of the rebels'**. • Despite being her adversary, he admired her courage — **died fighting at Gwalior**. • She was the only leader who died on the battlefield — other leaders fled or were captured. • 💡 Same Hugh Rose defeated her at Jhansi + Gwalior; his tribute = most famous quote about 1857 women leaders.
What was the original name of Nana Saheb?
Correct Answer: B. Dhondu Pant
• **Nana Saheb's** original name was **Dhondu Pant** — adopted son of Peshwa **Baji Rao II**. • British denied his pension after Baji Rao II died — key reason for joining the revolt. • After revolt's failure, escaped to **Nepal** — ultimate fate remains unknown. • 💡 Tantia Tope's real name = Ramchandra Pandurang; Ramchandra = wrong for Nana; Gangadhar Rao = Jhansi Rani's husband.
Where did the Revolt of 1857 officially begin?
Correct Answer: D. Meerut
• The revolt officially began at **Meerut on 10 May 1857** — mass uprising, sepoys broke out of barracks. • **Barrackpore** saw an **earlier individual incident** (Mangal Pandey, 29 March) but not the main revolt. • Sepoys refused greased cartridges, released imprisoned sepoys, marched to Delhi. • 💡 Barrackpore = individual act (Mangal Pandey); Meerut = official start; Delhi = political centre.
Who was the Governor-General of India during the Revolt of 1857?
Correct Answer: D. Lord Canning
• **Lord Canning** was Governor-General during the Revolt of 1857. • He was the **last Governor-General** of the Company and **first Viceroy** under the Crown (after 1858). • Known for his **'Clemency' policy** — moderation after revolt; called 'Clemency Canning' by critics. • 💡 Lord Dalhousie = before revolt (annexed Awadh etc); Lord Ripon = 1880s; Lord Elgin = successor to Canning.
Kunwar Singh belonged to which place in Bihar?
Correct Answer: B. Jagdishpur
• **Kunwar Singh** belonged to **Jagdishpur** in **Arrah district, Bihar** — Rajput Zamindar. • Fought at age **80** — one of the most celebrated heroes of the 1857 uprising. • Famous for cutting his own wounded arm and offering it to Ganga — symbol of patriotic sacrifice. • 💡 Patna = where Peer Ali led; Gaya = no major revolt leader; Munger = no significant revolt leader.
Which British MP termed the 1857 revolt as a 'National Revolt'?
Correct Answer: A. Benjamin Disraeli
• **Benjamin Disraeli**, British MP, called the 1857 revolt a **'National Revolt'** in the House of Commons. • He rejected the 'Sepoy Mutiny' theory — argued it resulted from British interference in Indian society. • Disraeli later became British PM (1874–1880) — Queen Victoria was made Empress of India under him (1876). • 💡 Churchill = WWII PM; Attlee = India independence 1947; Gladstone = rival of Disraeli; Palmerston = 1857 PM.
What was the ultimate result of the Revolt of 1857 regarding administration?
Correct Answer: C. End of East India Company Rule
• Ultimate administrative result: **end of East India Company rule** — Government of India Act 1858. • Power transferred to **British Crown** — Governor-General given title of **Viceroy**. • **Secretary of State for India** created — India now directly governed by British Parliament. • 💡 Independence = 1947; Dominion Status = 1947 transitional; Mughal rule end = 1857 (Bahadur Shah exiled).
The greased cartridges were rumored to contain the fat of which animals?
Correct Answer: D. Cow and Pig
• Cartridges rumored to be greased with **cow + pig fat** — offended both Hindu and Muslim soldiers. • Cow = sacred to **Hindus**; pig = **forbidden (haram) in Islam** — maximum religious outrage. • Sepoys had to **bite the tip** of the cartridge before loading into the Enfield rifle. • 💡 Rumor started at Dum Dum (near Calcutta); the exact truth still debated; horse/sheep/buffalo = wrong animals.
Where did Henry Lawrence die defending the British position?
Correct Answer: B. Lucknow Residency
• **Henry Lawrence** died at the **Lucknow Residency** — besieged by rebel forces. • His death was a **significant blow to British command** in Awadh. • He died on **4 July 1857** — from a shell wound while directing the defense of the Residency. • 💡 Jhansi Fort = Rani Lakshmibai; Kanpur = Wheeler/Neill; Delhi Red Fort = Bahadur Shah's seat; Lucknow = Henry Lawrence.