Revolt of 1857 — Set 7

Correct Answer: B. General Anson

• **General George Anson** was the Commander-in-Chief when the revolt started. • He **died of cholera** on his way to recapture Delhi — a major early setback for the British. • He was succeeded by **Sir Henry Barnard** and then **Archdale Wilson** (who led the assault on Delhi). • 💡 Hugh Rose = Central India; Outram = Lucknow; Campbell = overall C-in-C later; Anson = first, died of cholera.

Correct Answer: C. Crossing the Sea (Loss of Caste)

• Main grievance of General Service Enlistment Act: **serving overseas = crossing the sea ('Kala Pani')**. • In Hindu tradition of that era, **crossing the sea meant loss of caste** — deeply feared by upper-caste sepoys. • This alienated the **upper-caste Hindu sepoys** who were dominant in the Bengal Army. • 💡 Low salary = economic grievance (separate); heavy uniforms = not a recorded grievance; food = not main issue.

Correct Answer: A. S.N. Sen

• **S.N. Sen** wrote **'Eighteen Fifty Seven'** — the official history commissioned by Govt of India. • Published in **1957** to mark the **centenary** of the revolt — balanced perspective. • He acknowledged both the sepoy mutiny dimension and the popular uprising dimension. • 💡 Savarkar = '1857: First War of Independence'; Majumdar = 'Sepoy Mutiny and Revolt of 1857'; Chaudhuri = 'Civil Rebellion'.

Correct Answer: A. Hanged

• **Tantia Tope** was **hanged** by the British after being captured. • Betrayed by friend Man Singh while sleeping in jungle; **executed on 18 April 1859**. • His execution marked the **effective end of military resistance** of the 1857 revolt. • 💡 Mangal Pandey = hanged (8 April 1857); Kunwar Singh = died 1858 (natural/battle); Bahadur Shah = exiled.

Correct Answer: B. Foreigner (Derogatory)

• **'Firangi'** is a **Persian term meaning Frank/European** — used as derogatory name for the British. • During the revolt, it reflected **deep-seated resentment** against foreign/alien rule. • The term was commonly used in folk songs, slogans, and common speech during the 1857 uprising. • 💡 'Firangi' = foreigner (derogatory); NOT 'friend' (mitra) or 'traitor' (gaddar) or 'soldier' (sipahi).

Correct Answer: B. Colin Campbell

• **Sir Colin Campbell** succeeded as **Commander-in-Chief** after General Anson died of cholera. • Sent from England to suppress the revolt — played decisive role in **Lucknow and Kanpur campaigns**. • He finally relieved Lucknow in **November 1857** and retook Kanpur in December 1857. • 💡 Havelock = died after first Lucknow relief; Neill = died en route to Lucknow; Wilson = Delhi siege commander.

Correct Answer: A. Scindia of Gwalior

• **Scindia of Gwalior (Jayajirao Scindia)** remained loyal to the British during the revolt. • His troops rebelled and joined Tantia Tope — but Scindia himself sought British protection. • His loyalty was crucial for British in maintaining control over **Central India**. • 💡 Hyderabad's Nizam + Scindia + Patiala + Kashmir = major rulers loyal to British during 1857.

Correct Answer: B. Act of 1858

• **Government of India Act 1858** transferred power from East India Company to the **British Crown**. • Created the office of **Secretary of State for India** — oversaw India from London. • This marked the beginning of the **British Raj** — direct Crown rule over India. • 💡 Act of 1861 = Indian Councils Act; Act of 1853 = last Company Charter; Act of 1892 = Councils expansion.

Correct Answer: B. Bahadur Shah II (Zafar)

• **Bahadur Shah II (Zafar)** was the Mughal Emperor during 1857 — proclaimed leader of the revolt. • He was the **last Mughal Emperor** — died in exile in Rangoon in **1862**. • He was primarily a poet and symbolic figure; actual military command was by **Bakht Khan**. • 💡 Akbar II = Bahadur Shah's father; Shah Alam II = 18th century emperor; Aurangzeb = 17th century.

Correct Answer: A. The Indian Mutiny

• In Britain, 1857 is commonly known as the **'Indian Mutiny'** or **'Sepoy Mutiny'**. • This frames it as a **military rebellion** rather than a national uprising — Indian historians disagree. • Indian historians prefer **'First War of Independence'** (Savarkar) or **'Great Revolt'**. • 💡 British term = Indian Mutiny; Indian nationalist term = First War of Independence; Disraeli's term = National Revolt.