Revolt of 1857 — Set 3

Correct Answer: B. Karl Marx

Karl Marx wrote extensively about the 1857 revolt in a series of articles for the New York Daily Tribune, analyzing it as a national uprising against British colonialism. He described British rule in India as oppressive and exploitative, and expressed sympathy for the Indian rebels. Marx saw the revolt as evidence of the contradictions of colonial capitalism and its impact on Indian society. His writings provided an important early anti-colonial analysis of the 1857 uprising.

Correct Answer: B. The systematic transfer of India's economic resources to Britain without adequate returns

The 'Drain of Wealth' referred to the systematic extraction of India's economic resources—land revenue, profits from trade, and salaries—which were transferred to Britain without equivalent return. Indian handicraft industries were destroyed by the influx of cheap British manufactured goods, leading to widespread unemployment among artisans. Indian weavers, potters, and craftsmen who had thriving industries were rendered destitute by British economic policies. This economic exploitation created widespread resentment that contributed to the 1857 uprising.

Correct Answer: B. Lack of unity, coordination, clear leadership, and modern weapons among rebels

The Revolt of 1857 failed due to a combination of factors, the most important being the lack of unity and coordination among the rebel leaders. The revolt remained confined to certain regions and did not spread to all parts of India — Bengal, Punjab, Madras, and Bombay remained largely unaffected. The rebels lacked modern weapons, a unified command, and a common political vision. Additionally, some Indian rulers and zamindars actively supported the British in suppressing the revolt.

Correct Answer: B. Sepoy Mutiny with no national character

British historians such as John Seeley, Charles Ball, and George Dowell characterized the 1857 revolt as merely a 'Sepoy Mutiny' — a revolt of disgruntled soldiers driven by religious and military grievances with no national significance. They denied that it had any broader anti-colonial character or popular support among the Indian people. This interpretation served British imperial interests by minimizing the political significance of the uprising. Indian nationalists like Savarkar strongly contested this view, arguing it was a planned national liberation struggle.

Correct Answer: B. Raja Gangadhar Rao died without a natural heir, and his adopted son was not recognized

Jhansi was annexed by the British in 1853 under the Doctrine of Lapse after Raja Gangadhar Rao died without a natural male heir. On his deathbed, the Raja had adopted a son named Damodar Rao, but Lord Dalhousie refused to recognize the adoption under the Doctrine of Lapse. Rani Lakshmibai, the widowed queen, was deeply aggrieved by this annexation and her inability to ensure the throne for her adopted son. This injustice became a direct personal motivation for her participation in the 1857 revolt.

Correct Answer: B. Barrackpore

The Mangal Pandey incident took place at the Barrackpore cantonment near Calcutta (present-day Kolkata) on March 29, 1857. Mangal Pandey attacked a British sergeant-major and adjutant, calling on his fellow sepoys to revolt. He was quickly overpowered when other sepoys did not join his call. He was court-martialed and hanged on April 8, 1857, and his regiment — the 34th Bengal Native Infantry — was subsequently disbanded.

Correct Answer: B. Missionaries were suspected of interfering with Indian religions to convert people, causing religious insecurity

Christian missionary activity in India was perceived by many Indians as a direct threat to their religious beliefs and social practices. The British government, under evangelical influence, allowed missionaries to actively proselytize in India from 1813 onwards. Many Indians feared that the British intended to forcibly convert them to Christianity, a fear amplified by the outlawing of practices like sati and support for widow remarriage. This perceived threat to religion was a significant cause of the 1857 revolt and made soldiers more receptive to the cartridge controversy.

Correct Answer: B. He was captured, tried, and exiled to Rangoon (Burma) where he died in 1862

After Delhi fell to the British in September 1857, Bahadur Shah Zafar fled and took refuge at Humayun's Tomb. He was captured by British officer William Hodson and brought back to Delhi. His sons were executed by Hodson. Zafar was tried for treason and exiled to Rangoon (now Yangon, Myanmar) where he died in 1862 at the age of about 87, ending the Mughal dynasty. He was buried in Rangoon, far from his beloved Delhi, and wrote poignant poetry about his fate in exile.

Correct Answer: B. It was the site of a prolonged siege where British defenders held out for months

The Lucknow Residency was the official residence of the British Resident in Awadh and became the focal point of the 1857 revolt in Lucknow. When the revolt broke out, Sir Henry Lawrence gathered British soldiers and civilians within the Residency and it was besieged by rebel forces from June 30, 1857 onwards. The defenders endured over 80 days of siege until the first relief by Havelock and Outram in September 1857. The final evacuation and relief came under Sir Colin Campbell in November 1857, and the ruins of the Residency are today a national monument.

Correct Answer: B. Its annexation in 1856 angered not just the ruler but the entire population including nobles, soldiers, and peasants

The annexation of Awadh by Lord Dalhousie in 1856 on charges of 'misgovernment' was particularly provocative because it affected not just the Nawab but the entire society. Thousands of nobles (taluqdars), soldiers, and peasants who depended on the Nawab's patronage were affected. The Bengal Army had a large number of soldiers from Awadh who were now outraged at the treatment of their home state. This made Awadh one of the strongest centers of the revolt, with deep popular participation beyond just the sepoys.