1858 Uprising: 25 MCQs with answers

Bahadur Shah Zafar

Bahadur Shah Zafar was the last Mughal Emperor, and the rebels rallied around him during the uprising.

Introduction of the Enfield rifle

The introduction of the Enfield rifle with cartridges rumored to be greased with animal fat sparked immediate resentment among sepoys.

Meerut

The uprising began in Meerut on 10 May 1857 when sepoys rebelled against their British officers.

Rani Lakshmibai

Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi was a prominent leader of the uprising in central India.

First War of Independence

It is often called the First War of Independence, though British historians termed it the Sepoy Mutiny.

False

The uprising failed, and British rule continued for another 90 years.

True

Rani Lakshmibai was a key leader who fought against the British in Jhansi.

1857

The Great Uprising occurred in 1857, marking a significant revolt against British rule in India.

End of the Mughal Empire

The Great Uprising led to the end of the Mughal Empire, as the British formally abolished it after suppressing the revolt.

Economic policies of the British

Economic policies imposed by the British, which harmed Indian artisans and farmers, were a major cause of discontent.

Bahadur Shah II

Bahadur Shah II, also known as Bahadur Shah Zafar, was the last Mughal Emperor during the Great Uprising.

Use of animal fat in cartridges

The use of animal fat in cartridges offended both Hindu and Muslim soldiers, sparking widespread outrage.

Delhi

Delhi was a major center of the Great Uprising, where significant events unfolded during the revolt.

Military rebellion

The sepoys, or Indian soldiers in the British army, played a crucial role in the military rebellion against British rule.

Increased British control

The Great Uprising resulted in increased British control over India, leading to the establishment of direct British rule.

Sepoys

The sepoys, or Indian soldiers, were the primary group that opposed British authority during the uprising.

The annexation of Awadh

The annexation of Awadh was one of the immediate triggers that led to widespread discontent and the uprising.

Lack of unity and coordination among rebels

The uprising lacked unified leadership and coordination, and many Indian rulers did not support it, leading to its failure.

Sir Hugh Rose

Sir Hugh Rose led the British forces that suppressed the uprising in central India, including Kanpur.

Lord Canning

Lord Canning was the Governor-General during the uprising and later became the first Viceroy of India.

Doctrine of Lapse

The Doctrine of Lapse, used by Lord Dalhousie to annex states, was a major political cause of resentment.

Kunwar Singh

Kunwar Singh, an elderly zamindar, led the uprising in Bihar.

She led the uprising in Lucknow

Begum Hazrat Mahal led the uprising in Lucknow after her husband, the Nawab of Awadh, was exiled.

Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi was a leader of the Indian independence movement in the 20th century, not the 1857 uprising.

The British Crown

After the uprising, the British government took direct control of India, ending the East India Company's rule.