The Great Revolt of 1857 MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for The Great Revolt of 1857 - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is the revolt of sepoy mutiny.

Key Points

• The Revolt of 1857 or the Sepoy mutiny is described as the first National movement in India.
• It began on May 10, 1857, at Meerut as sepoy mutiny.
• It was initiated by sepoys in the Bengal presidency against the British officers.
• The revolt eventually broke out because of the incident of greased cartridges.
• Centres of the revolt were:
  • Lucknow
  • Delhi
  • Gwalior
  • Jhansi
  • Kanpur
  • Bihar
• The revolt lasted for over an year.

 Thus, we can say that the revolt of sepoy mutiny is termed the first National Movement of India.

The Correct Answer is Option 4 i.e All of the above.

• Factors responsible for the cause of the 1857 revolt are:
  • The passing of the General Services Establishment Act 1856 abolished allowances and made it mandatory for the sepoys to serve anywhere in the British Empire.
  • British Government passed the "Religious Disabilities Act 1850" which allows Hindus to convert to Christianity to inherit their ancestral measures.
  • The promotion of Christian Missionaries created fear among Indians that they would convert all of them to Christianity.
  • The British replaced the Brown Bess with Enfield Rifle using bullets containing Beef and Pig fat was one of the immediate reasons for the cause of 1857 revolt.
  • The Abolition of Sati, legalizing widow remarriage and promotion of education among girls were considered as undue interference in the social customs of India.
  • The British policy of annexation.

The Correct answer is Bihar.

Key Points

• Kunwar Singh is also known as Babu Veer Kunwar Singh. 
• He was a notable leader during the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
• He belonged to a Zamindar family of Jagdishpur, Bihar, India.
• He was an expert in the art of guerilla warfare. His tactics left the British puzzled.
• To honour his contribution to India's freedom movement, the Republic of India issued a commemorative stamp on 23 April 1966.
• The Government of Bihar established the Veer Kunwar Singh University, Arrah in 1992.

Additional Information

Name of leaders	Place
Mangal Pandey	Barrackpore
Rani Lakshmi Bai	Jhansi
Maulvi Liaquat Ali	Allahabad
General bakth khan	Delhi
Begam Hazrat Mahal	Lucknow
Nana sahib, Tantia tope	Kanpur

The correct answer is: 'Bengal regiment'.

Key Points

• The Revolt of 1857 is also known as the First War of Indian Independence.
  • The revolt began on May 10, 1857, in the town of Meerut and soon spread to other parts of Northern and Central India.
  • It was a large-scale but unsuccessful uprising against the British East India Company's rule.
• The Bengal regiment played a pivotal role in the Revolt of 1857.
  • The Bengal Army, under the British East India Company, consisted of Indian soldiers (sepoys) who were primarily from the Bengal region.
  • The sepoys of the Bengal regiment were the first to mutiny, and their actions quickly encouraged other troops and civilians to join the rebellion.
  • The dissatisfaction among the Bengal regiment was due to various reasons including harsh policies, discriminatory practices, and the introduction of the Enfield rifle, which was rumored to use cartridges greased with cow and pig fat, offending both Hindu and Muslim religious sentiments.

Incorrect Statements

• Madras regiment:
  • The Madras regiment, primarily stationed in the southern part of India, was less involved in the Revolt of 1857.
  • The southern regions were relatively more stable and had fewer instances of rebellion against the British rule during this period.
• Bombay regiment:
  • The Bombay regiment, located in the western parts of India, also did not see the widespread mutiny that characterized the Bengal regiment.
  • Although there were some disturbances, the scale and impact were significantly less compared to the northern regions.
• Gurkha soldiers:
  • The Gurkha soldiers, known for their loyalty and bravery, mostly remained loyal to the British during the Revolt of 1857.
  • The Gurkhas were instrumental in helping the British suppress the rebellion.

Hence, the Bengal regiment was the most significantly affected and involved in the Revolt of 1857, making option 2 the correct answer.

Additional Information

• Causes of the Revolt of 1857:
  • Political Causes: Policies like the Doctrine of Lapse, which allowed the British to annex states without a male heir, created widespread resentment among Indian rulers.
  • Economic Causes: Exploitative land revenue systems and economic policies led to widespread agrarian distress and discontent among peasants and landlords.
  • Social and Religious Causes: Interference in social and religious customs, such as the introduction of the new Enfield rifle, which required sepoys to bite off the ends of greased cartridges rumored to be made from cow and pig fat, hurt religious sentiments.
• Impact of the Revolt of 1857:
  • Although the revolt was ultimately unsuccessful, it marked a significant turning point in Indian history, leading to the end of the East India Company’s rule and the beginning of direct control by the British Crown.
  • The British government took measures to reorganize the army, administration, and financial system in India to prevent such uprisings in the future.

The correct answer is C.

• The leader in Mathura during the 1857 Revolt is Devi Singh.
• Kadam Singh was the leader of Meerut during the 1857 Revolt. Hence option C is not correctly matched.

Additional Information

•  Other Places of Revolt of 1857 and Leaders

The correct answer is Lord Canning.

• Lord Canning (1856-62) was the Governor-General of India during the 1857 revolt. 
• Lord Canning served as the Governor-General of India from 1856 to 1862.

Key Points

Lord Canning:

• During his tenure, the Government of India Act, 1858 was passed which created the office of the Viceroy to be held by the same person who was the Governor-General of India.
• Lord Canning also served as the first Viceroy of India.
• The important events during his tenure include:
  • Mutiny of 1857, which he was able to suppress successfully,
  • The passing of the Indian Councils Act, 1861 introduced a portfolio system in India.

Additional Information

• Other important events during Lord Canning:
  • Withdrawal of the “Doctrine of Lapse” was one of the main reasons for the mutiny of 1857. 
  • The introduction of the Code of Criminal Procedure, enactment of the Indian High Courts Act, Indian Penal Code (1858), Bengal Rent Act (1859), the introduction of Income-tax on an experimental basis, etc.
  • Canning passed the Hindu Widows' Remarriage Act, 1856 which was drafted by his predecessor Lord Dalhousie before the rebellion.
  • He also passed the General Service Enlistment Act of 1856.
  • He established the first three modern Universities in India, the University of Calcutta, the University of Madras, and the University of Bombay.

The correct answer is Maulvi Liaquat Ali.

Key Points

• Maulvi Liaquat Ali
• Maulvi Liaquat Ali was a Muslim religious leader from Allahabad (Prayagraj), in the state of Uttar Pradesh in present-day India.
  • He was one of the leaders in the revolt against the British in 1857.
  • This war was also known as the First War of Independence.
• Hence option 1 is correct. 

​Additional Information

• List of Important Leaders associated with the revolt of 1857 - 
  • Delhi
    • ​Bahadur Shah II
    • General Bakht Khan
  • Lucknow
    • ​Begum Hazrat Mahal
    • Birjis Qadir
    • Ahmadullah
  • Kanpur
    • ​Nana Sahib
    • Rao Sahib
    • Tantia Tope
    • Azimullah Khan
  • Jhansi
    • ​Rani Laxmibai
  • Bihar
    • Kunwar Singh
    • Amar Singh
  • Rajasthan
    • ​Jaidayal Singh
    • Hardayal Singh
  • Farrukhabad
    • ​Tufzal Hasan Khan
  • Assam
    • ​Kandapareshwar Singh
    • Maniram Dutta Baruah
  • Orissa
    • ​Surendra Shahi
    • Ujjwal Shahi

The correct answer is 1859.

Key Points

• The Revolt of 1857 is a major landmark in the history of India against British rule in India.
• The Revolt of 1857 was started on 10th May 1857 at Meerut.
• The introduction of greased cartridges was the immediate cause of the 1857 revolt.
• Heavy taxation was one of the major reasons for the outbreak of the 1857 revolt.
• The peasants had to pay heavy taxes in the form of Land tax during 1857.

Additional Information 

• Mangal Pandey was the first martyr of the 1857 revolt.
• Lord Canning was the governor-general of India during the 1857 revolt.
• The English called the revolt the 'devil's wind'.
• Finally, the revolt of 1857 was suppressed by the British in 1859.
• The control of the Indian administration was passed on to the British crown by the Government of India Act 1858.
• All Indian prisoners except those who committed serious offences were released.

The correct answer is Nana Sahib.

Important Points

• Nana Sahib led the revolt of 1857 in the city of Kanpur.
  • The original name of Nana Sahib was Dhondu Pant.
  • He was the adopted son of the late Peshwa Baji Rao.
  • He was the successor of Peshwa Baji Rao II.
  • Tantia Tope was the general of Nana Saheb in the 1857 revolt.
  • It is believed that Nana Sahib escaped to Nepal when the rebellion collapsed.

Additional Information

• Rani Lakshmi Bai led the revolt of 1857 in Jhansi and Gwalior.
• Begum Hazrat Mahal led the revolt of 1857 in Lucknow, Agra, and Awadh.
• Kunwar Singh led the revolt of 1857 in Jagadishpur, Bihar.

The correct answer is Sepoy Mutiny 1857.

Important Points

• Begum Hazrat Mahal was the second wife of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah.
  • Begum Hazrat Mahal is associated with Sepoy Mutiny 1857.
  • She led the revolt against the British East India Company during the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
  • Hazrat Mahal worked in association with Nana Saheb and Maulavi of Faizabad.
  • She was the leader of the 1857 revolt in Lucknow, Agra, and Awadh.
  • Begum Hazrat Mahal's tomb is located in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Additional Information

• The Moplah Revolt 1921 is also called the Malabar Rebellion.
  • It was communal violence between Hindus and Muslims.
  • Thirurangadi is the centre of the Malabar rebellion.
  • Pookottur incident is the main reason behind the Malabar rebellion.
• Paika Revolt 1817 took place in Odisha against the British.
  • Leader: Bakshi Jagabandhu.

The correct answer is Lucknow.

Key Points

• Begum Hazrat Mahal's band of supporters, led by Raja Jalal Singh rebelled against the forces of the British.
• After the recapture of Lucknow by rebel forces led by the Begum and her allies, she crowned her 11-year-old son Birjis Qadras the ruler of Avadh.
• Begum Hazrat Mahal's tomb is located in the central part of Kathmandu near Jama Masjid.
• On 15 August 1962, Mahal was honoured at the Old Victoria Park in Hazratganj, Lucknow for her role in the Great Revolt.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Tipu Sultan.

Key Points

• Tipu Sultan did not participate in the revolt of 1857 against the British.
• Tipu Sultan
  • ​Tipu Sultan was the ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore.
  • Tipu Sultan was born on 1st December 1751 in Devanahalli, which is located in present-day Bangalore, Karnataka.
  • Tipu Sultan succeeded his father Hyder Ali as the ruler of Mysore.
  • He introduced a calendar and a new coinage system.
  • Administrative innovations were introduced during his rule.
  • Between 1775 and 1779, Tipu fought against the Marathas.
  • Tipu signed a peace treaty with the British in 1784.

Additional Information

• Major leaders associated with the Revolt of 1857

The correct answer is Lord Canning.Key Points

• Lord Canning (1856-1862) was the Viceroy of India during the 'Sepoy Mutiny' or the great revolt that took place.
• The Revolt of 1857 is an important landmark in India's history, which occurred during the governor generalship of Lord Canning.
• Sepoy Mutiny or First War of Independence, widespread but unsuccessful rebellion against British rule in 1857.
• Event during his regime - 
  • Revolt of 1857
  • Establishment of three universities at Calcutta, Madras and Bombay in 1857
  • Abolition of East India Company and transfer of control to the Crown by the Government of India Act, 1858
  •  Indian Councils Act of 1861 

 Additional Information

• Grievances of Sepoy:
  • Discrimination in payment and promotion.
  • Refusal of the British to pay foreign service allowance while fighting in remote regions such as Punjab or Sindh.
  • Religious objections of the high caste Hindu sepoys to Lord Canning's General Service Enlistment Act (1856) ordering all recruits to be ready for service both within and outside India.

The correct answer is Bihar.

Key Points

• Kunwar Singh was a leader of the Revolt of 1857 from Bihar.

Additional Information 

• Important leader Associated with the Revolt of 1857
  • Barrackpore-Mangal Pandey
  • Delhi-Bahadur Shah II, General Bakht Khan and Hakim Ahsanullah (Chief advisor to Bahadur Shah II)
  • Lucknow- Begum Hazrat Mahal, Birjis Qadir, Ahmadullah (advisor of the ex-Nawab of Awadh)
  • Kanpur- Nana Sahib, Rao Sahib (nephew of Nana), Tantia Tope, Azimullah Khan (advisor of Nana Sahib)
  • Jhansi- Rani Laxmibai
  • Bihar- Kunwar Singh, Amar Singh
  • Allahabad and Banaras-Maulvi Liyakat Ali
  • Faizabad-Maulvi Ahmadullah (He declared the Revolt as Jihad against English)
  • Farrukhabad Tufzal Hasan Khan
  • Bijnaur-Mohammad Khan
  • Muradabad-Abdul Ali Khan
  • Bareilly- Khan Bahadur Khan
  • Mandsor-Firoz Shah
  • Gwalior/Kanpur-Tantia Tope
  • Assam-Kandapareshwar Singh, Manirama Dewan
  • Orissa-Surendra Shahi, Ujjwal Shahi
  • Kullu-Raja Pratap Singh
  • Rajasthan-Jaidayal Singh and Hardayal Singh
  • Gorakhpur-Gajadhar Singh
  • Mathura-Sevi Singh, Kadam Singh