Revolt of 1857: Key Events and Leaders

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What was one key political cause of the Revolt of 1857 related to Lord Dalhousie's policies?

The Indian National Congress was formed.

The establishment of local self-governments.

Dalhousie's Doctrine of Lapse caused resentment. (correct)

Increased taxation on agricultural products.

Which territory was NOT annexed under the Doctrine of Lapse by Lord Dalhousie?

Nagpur

Jhansi

Satara

Awadh (correct)

How did the British treat the Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar during this period?

He was reinstated as the Emperor of India.

He was given substantial power in governance.

He led the rebellion against the British.

He became a British pensioner. (correct)

What was a common misconception regarding the nature of the Revolt of 1857?

It was a unified national movement against British rule. Signup and view all the answers

What role did Nana Sahib play in the Revolt of 1857?

The adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao II who sought revenge. Signup and view all the answers

What was the British imperial title system that angered Indian leaders during the revolt?

No successors could use imperial titles. Signup and view all the answers

What was a major social consequence of the British policies leading up to the Revolt of 1857?

A rise in poverty and widespread misery among the populace. Signup and view all the answers

The Revolt of 1857 is often referred to as the Sepoy Mutiny by British historians. What is the term used by some Indian historians?

The First War of Independence Signup and view all the answers

What was one significant effect of British economic policies on Indian artisans?

They faced competition from cheap machine-made products. Signup and view all the answers

Which event highlighted the vulnerability of the British Empire in India?

The First Afghan War Signup and view all the answers

How did the land revenue system imposed by the British impact Indian peasants?

It led to severe hardship and land loss. Signup and view all the answers

What was the general sentiment among Indian rulers towards British respect for their treaties?

They felt humiliated and insecure. Signup and view all the answers

Which consequence did the destruction of traditional economic structures have on Indian society?

Impoverishment of both peasants and artisans. Signup and view all the answers

What did the British do to landlords who failed to produce written deeds of ownership?

They confiscated their jagirs or estates. Signup and view all the answers

What issue did corrupt administration primarily create for the Indian masses?

Difficulty in dealing with law enforcement and courts. Signup and view all the answers

What impact did heavy duties on Indian handicraft products have on local craftsmen?

It led to their impoverishment and loss of market. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the social consequences of British rule in India?

Many Indians felt their cultural identity was threatened. Signup and view all the answers

How did the end of royal patronage impact certain groups in India?

It led to poverty among artists, craftsmen, and preachers. Signup and view all the answers

Which social reform was initiated by the British that faced resistance from Indians?

Abolition of sati. Signup and view all the answers

What role did Indian soldiers have during the British rule?

They played a major role in expanding the British Empire. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant grievance of the Indian sepoys regarding the policies of the British?

They were required to undertake overseas service, conflicting with their religious beliefs. Signup and view all the answers

How were Indian sepoys treated by British officers?

With contempt, often facing humiliation. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the social reforms introduced by the British?

They were perceived as intrusions into Indian culture. Signup and view all the answers

What was the impact of British rule on employment for certain classes in India?

Large-scale unemployment occurred among those in former court administrations. Signup and view all the answers

What sparked the initial discontent among Indian soldiers in the British army during the period leading up to 1857?

The annexation of Awadh by Lord Dalhousie Signup and view all the answers

Which event was a direct result of the refusal of soldiers to use the new Enfield Rifles?

The storming of the jail in Meerut Signup and view all the answers

Who emerged as the leader of the Revolt of 1857 in Kanpur?

Nana Sahib Signup and view all the answers

Which city became the center of the Revolt of 1857 and saw a proclamation of resistance against the British?

Delhi Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary religious concern regarding the Enfield Rifles that led to the soldiers' protest?

The cartridges were rumored to be greased with animal fat Signup and view all the answers

What title did the revolting soldiers give to Bahadur Shah Zafar during the revolt?

Emperor of Hindustan Signup and view all the answers

Who led the Revolt in Lucknow during the 1857 uprising?

Begum Hazrat Mahal Signup and view all the answers

What event happened in 1857 that signified a major uprising against British rule?

The Sepoy Mutiny Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi joined the Revolt of 1857?

The annexation of Jhansi under the Doctrine of Lapse Signup and view all the answers

Who was the British Commissioner of Lucknow during the siege?

Sir Henry Lawrence Signup and view all the answers

Which leader fought valiantly but was killed in the battlefield during the Revolt?

Rani Lakshmibai Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the Revolt of 1857 by the end of 1859?

The British regained control over India Signup and view all the answers

What was one significant consequence of the Revolt of 1857 regarding British governance in India?

India came under direct rule of the British Parliament Signup and view all the answers

Who led the Revolt in Bihar and was known for his military leadership?

Kunwar Singh Signup and view all the answers

What did the British Parliament declare in 1876 concerning India?

Queen Victoria was proclaimed Empress of India Signup and view all the answers

How do some scholars characterize the nature of the Revolt of 1857?

A spontaneous act of defiance or a planned action by a secret organization Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Beginning of the Revolt of 1857

The Revolt started in Meerut when soldiers refused to use the controversial greased cartridges, which were believed to be tainted with animal fat, violating Hindu and Muslim religious beliefs.
The sepoys, angered by the British disregard for their religious sentiments and the punishment for their refusal to use the cartridges, rose in revolt, stormed the jail, released prisoners, and killed several British officials.
They then marched to Delhi, igniting the rebellion across India.

Main Centres and Leaders of the Revolt of 1857

Delhi: The revolting soldiers from Meerut were joined by local infantry in Delhi, leading to the seizure of the city.
- Bahadur Shah Zafar, the Mughal Emperor, was proclaimed the leader of the revolt, making Delhi the center and the Emperor its symbol.
Kanpur: Nana Sahib, the adopted son of the last Peshwa Baji Rao II, led the revolt in Kanpur.
- He expelled British officers with help from the sepoys and proclaimed himself the Peshwa, recognizing Bahadur Shah Zafar as the Emperor.
Lucknow: The revolt in Lucknow was led by Begum Hazrat Mahal, who proclaimed her young son, Birjis Kadr, the Nawab of Awadh.
- The rebels, consisting of disbanded soldiers and local people, besieged the British forces in the Residency compound.
- While the British ultimately regained control, Begum Hazrat Mahal escaped to Nepal.
Jhansi: Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi fought bravely alongside the rebels after the British annexed her kingdom.
- She became a symbol of bravery and courage, inspiring future generations.
Bihar: Kunwar Singh, a zamindar of Jagdishpur, led the revolt in Bihar.
- He was an outstanding military leader and strategist, fighting the British in Bihar and joining forces with Nana Sahib.

Immediate Cause of the Revolt

In 1857, the British introduced the Enfield rifle, which used cartridges rumored to be greased with animal fat.
- This sparked outrage among both Hindu and Muslim sepoys, who saw it as an attack on their religious beliefs.
- The British refusal to address their concerns and punish those who disobeyed orders escalated the conflict.

Causes of the Revolt of 1857

Political Causes:
- The British expansionist policies, including the annexation of Indian kingdoms, created widespread resentment.
- Lord Dalhousie's Doctrine of Lapse ignited anger among Indian rulers, as it annexed states where the rulers died without a male heir, such as Jhansi, Nagpur, and Satara.
- Nana Sahib was denied his rightful inheritance and pension, becoming a key figure in the revolt.
- The British interference in the internal affairs of allied states, including the annexation of Awadh on grounds of misgovernance, further fueled resentment.
- The British humiliation of the Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar, reducing him to a pensioner and stripping his successors of their imperial titles, further inflamed emotions.
- The breaking of treaties and land occupation by the British created a sense of fear and insecurity among the rulers.
Economic Causes:
- The British economic exploitation and destruction of traditional Indian industries led to widespread poverty.
- India became a supplier of cheap raw materials to British industries, while heavy duties were imposed on Indian products entering England, crippling local manufacturing.
- The land revenue system under the British led to high taxes and exploitation of peasants by zamindars and moneylenders.
- The confiscation of jagirs and land holdings in Awadh after annexation caused further economic hardship.
Social and Religious Causes:
- The spread of Western education and interference in social and religious practices led to apprehension and discontent.
- Reforms like the abolition of Sati and female infanticide were viewed as foreign intervention in Indian culture.
- Christian missionaries' activities alarmed the population, creating a sense of suspicion and fear.
Military Causes:
- Indian soldiers were not adequately rewarded for their service in expanding the British Empire.
- They were denied promotion to high military ranks and paid significantly less than their British counterparts.
- The 1856 Act requiring new recruits to undertake overseas service offended the soldiers' religious beliefs.
- The annexation of Awadh, home to many sepoys, further fueled their resentment.
- Numerous sepoy rebellions, including those in Bengal (1764), Vellore (1806), and Barrackpore (1824), were brutally suppressed, creating a climate of fear and discontent.

Consequences of the Revolt of 1857

The revolt was ultimately suppressed by the British by the end of 1859.
- It marked a significant turning point in the struggle for Indian independence, considered the first major uprising against British imperialism.
The revolt led to the end of the East India Company's rule and the direct rule of India by the British Parliament and the Queen of England.
- Queen Victoria was declared Empress of India in 1876.

Nature of the Revolt of 1857

The nature of the revolt is debated by scholars. Some argue that it was a spontaneous eruption of defiance, while others claim it was a planned action of a secret organization.
- The lack of rebel records, relying primarily on British accounts, creates challenges in understanding the motivations and organization of the revolt.

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Description

This quiz explores the significant events and leaders of the Revolt of 1857, a major uprising against British rule in India. It covers the origins of the revolt, key locations like Delhi and Kanpur, and prominent figures such as Bahadur Shah Zafar and Nana Sahib. Test your knowledge about this pivotal moment in Indian history.