Which one of the following statements about the Revolt of 1857 is correct?
- (a)It was a Revolt carefully organised and planned by the Rajas, Nawabs and Taluqdars
- (b)Rumours and prophecies did not play any role in its outbreak and spread
- (c)The rebel proclamations in 1857 repeatedly appealed to all sections of the population irrespective of their caste and creed.
- (d)The British succeeded in quickly and easily controlling the rebels
Correct — C, the rebel proclamations in 1857 repeatedly appealed to all sections of the population irrespective of their caste and creed. The 1857 ishtahars (proclamations), often issued in the name of Bahadur Shah Zafar, called on Hindus and Muslims alike to unite against the British — an inclusive appeal that NCERT highlights in 'Rebels and the Raj'.
- (a)It was a Revolt carefully organised and planned by the Rajas, Nawabs and Taluqdars — The revolt was largely spontaneous, spreading from sepoy mutinies; many rulers joined only after it broke out, and some stayed loyal to the British.
- (b)Rumours and prophecies did not play any role in its outbreak and spread — The opposite is true — rumours (greased cartridges, the circulation of chapatis and lotus flowers, and a prophecy that Company rule would end a century after Plassey) were central to its spread.
- (d)The British succeeded in quickly and easily controlling the rebels — Suppression was slow and brutal, lasting well into 1858 with heavy fighting at Delhi, Kanpur, Lucknow and Jhansi — not quick or easy.
The Revolt of 1857 began with the sepoys at Meerut (10 May 1857) and spread across the Ganga plains and central India. NCERT's 'Rebels and the Raj' stresses two features: the power of rumours and prophecies in mobilising people, and proclamations that appealed across caste and religion to unite Hindus and Muslims against foreign rule.
Three options either overstate British control or deny the role of rumours or treat the revolt as a pre-planned conspiracy. Only the inclusive-appeal statement matches the historical record, making (c) correct.
- The revolt began at Meerut on 10 May 1857 and reached Delhi the next day.
- Rebel proclamations appealed to Hindus and Muslims alike, across caste and creed.
- Rumours and prophecies (greased cartridges, chapatis, the Plassey-centenary prophecy) fuelled its spread.
- Bahadur Shah Zafar was proclaimed the symbolic leader at Delhi; suppression continued into 1858.
- Treating the revolt as a pre-planned conspiracy of princes — it was largely spontaneous.
- Underrating rumours and prophecies, or overrating how quickly the British regained control.
Asked as 'which statement about the Revolt of 1857 is correct', or on its causes, centres, leaders and rumours.
Which one of the following territories was not affected by the Revolt of 1857?
- (a) Jhansi
- (b) Chittor
- (c) Jagdishpur
- (d) Lucknow
Answer(b) Chittor
Same concept — the geography and character of the Revolt of 1857. UPSC asks which place was NOT a centre of the revolt (Chittor); this one tests a correct statement about the revolt's inclusive rebel proclamations.
- practice — not a real PYQ
The Revolt of 1857 first broke out among the sepoys at
- (a)Barrackpore
- (b)Meerut
- (c)Delhi
- (d)Kanpur
Answer(b) Meerut — on 10 May 1857.
- practice — not a real PYQ
Which symbolic leader was proclaimed by the rebels at Delhi in 1857?
- (a)Nana Saheb
- (b)Bahadur Shah Zafar
- (c)Tantia Tope
- (d)Rani Lakshmibai
Answer(b) Bahadur Shah Zafar.