1. Who was the last Mughal emperor to rule India during the Revolt of 1857?
- a) Akbar II
- b) Bahadur Shah Zafar
- c) Shah Alam II
- d) Humayun
Answer: b) Bahadur Shah Zafar
Explanation: Bahadur Shah Zafar was the last Mughal emperor, and during the Revolt of 1857, he was declared the symbolic leader of the rebellion.
2. The Revolt of 1857 began in which Indian city?
- a) Delhi
- b) Kanpur
- c) Meerut
- d) Lucknow
Answer: c) Meerut
Explanation: The revolt started in Meerut on May 10, 1857, when Indian soldiers (sepoys) rose against the British East India Company.
3. Who was the main leader of the revolt in Lucknow?
- a) Mangal Pandey
- b) Rani Lakshmibai
- c) Begum Hazrat Mahal
- d) Tatya Tope
Answer: c) Begum Hazrat Mahal
Explanation: Begum Hazrat Mahal played a prominent role in the defense of Lucknow during the revolt and was one of the key rebel leaders.
4. Who led the revolt at Jhansi?
- a) Lala Lajpat Rai
- b) Rani Lakshmibai
- c) Subhas Chandra Bose
- d) Bahadur Shah Zafar
Answer: b) Rani Lakshmibai
Explanation: Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi is one of the most prominent figures in the revolt, leading her forces with courage against the British.
5. Which event sparked the Revolt of 1857?
- a) The annexation of Oudh
- b) The introduction of the Enfield rifle cartridge
- c) The rebellion in Kanpur
- d) The revolt in Delhi
Answer: b) The introduction of the Enfield rifle cartridge
Explanation: The use of greased cartridges, which were rumored to be made from cow and pig fat, sparked the rebellion, as it offended both Hindu and Muslim sepoys.
6. What was the primary reason for the revolt in 1857?
- a) Religious intolerance
- b) Discontent with the British economic policies
- c) Introduction of new taxes
- d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: The revolt was triggered by a combination of factors, including religious intolerance, economic exploitation, and political annexations.
7. Where did the famous battle of Cawnpore (Kanpur) take place during the Revolt of 1857?
- a) Near the Residency
- b) Near the river Ganges
- c) Near the Satpura hills
- d) Near the Kanpur cantonment
Answer: d) Near the Kanpur cantonment
Explanation: The battle of Cawnpore, which saw heavy fighting and the brutal massacre of British civilians, took place near the Kanpur cantonment.
8. Who was the British officer who led the suppression of the revolt in Meerut and Delhi?
- a) Lord Canning
- b) Sir Colin Campbell
- c) Sir Henry Lawrence
- d) Sir John Lawrence
Answer: b) Sir Colin Campbell
Explanation: Sir Colin Campbell was the British commander who successfully led the suppression of the revolt in Delhi and Meerut.
9. Which of the following territories was not directly affected by the Revolt of 1857?
- a) Delhi
- b) Lucknow
- c) Madras
- d) Kanpur
Answer: c) Madras
Explanation: Madras (now Chennai) remained largely unaffected by the Revolt of 1857, as the southern part of India saw much less participation in the uprising.
10. What was the result of the Siege of Delhi during the Revolt of 1857?
- a) Bahadur Shah Zafar was captured
- b) Rani Lakshmibai was defeated
- c) The British were forced to leave India
- d) The sepoys gained full control of Delhi
Answer: a) Bahadur Shah Zafar was captured
Explanation: After a prolonged siege, the British recaptured Delhi, and Bahadur Shah Zafar was captured and exiled to Rangoon (now Yangon).
11. Which British officer led the suppression of the revolt at Lucknow?
- a) General Havelock
- b) General Napier
- c) General Roberts
- d) Sir Colin Campbell
Answer: a) General Havelock
Explanation: General Havelock played a significant role in the British recapture of Lucknow and the eventual defeat of rebel forces.
12. The rebellion of 1857 was called by which of the following names?
- a) The First War of Independence
- b) The Sepoy Mutiny
- c) The Indian Rebellion of 1857
- d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: The revolt of 1857 is referred to by various names such as the First War of Independence, the Sepoy Mutiny, and the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
13. Who was the leader of the revolt in the region of Gwalior?
- a) Rani Lakshmibai
- b) Tantia Tope
- c) Nana Saheb
- d) Begum Hazrat Mahal
Answer: b) Tantia Tope
Explanation: Tantia Tope was a prominent leader in the revolt and played a crucial role in the battles fought around Gwalior.
14. Which British governor general was in power during the Revolt of 1857?
- a) Lord Dalhousie
- b) Lord Canning
- c) Lord Wellesley
- d) Lord Curzon
Answer: b) Lord Canning
Explanation: Lord Canning was the British Governor-General during the Revolt of 1857 and he played a significant role in both the suppression of the revolt and its aftermath.
15. What was the outcome of the Revolt of 1857 for the Indian princely states?
- a) Increased autonomy for the princely states
- b) Reorganization of the princely states under direct British rule
- c) Complete independence for all princely states
- d) Formation of the Indian National Congress
Answer: b) Reorganization of the princely states under direct British rule
Explanation: After the revolt, the British took direct control over India, and many princely states were either annexed or made subordinate.
16. The term “Black Hole of Calcutta” is associated with which event during the Revolt of 1857?
- a) The imprisonment of British civilians in 1756
- b) The battle of Plassey
- c) The massacre in Kanpur
- d) The escape from Lucknow
Answer: a) The imprisonment of British civilians in 1756
Explanation: The Black Hole of Calcutta incident occurred in 1756, when British prisoners were confined in a small cell, leading to many deaths. It became a symbol of British suffering in India.
17. What was the primary reason for the failure of the Revolt of 1857?
- a) Lack of unity among the rebels
- b) Strong leadership of the British
- c) Support from the Indian princely states
- d) All of the above
Answer: a) Lack of unity among the rebels
Explanation: The revolt lacked coordination, as rebels had different aims, and the absence of unified leadership led to its failure.
18. The British government officially ended the rule of the East India Company after which event?
- a) The Battle of Plassey
- b) The revolt of 1857
- c) The Treaty of Waitangi
- d) The Sepoy Mutiny
Answer: b) The revolt of 1857
Explanation: After the revolt, the British government decided to take direct control of India, ending the rule of the East India Company through the Government of India Act of 1858.
19. What was the impact of the Revolt of 1857 on the Indian Army?
- a) Reorganization of the Indian Army under British command
- b) Increased Indian participation in British forces
- c) Complete independence for the Indian Army
- d) The Indian Army was disbanded
Answer: a) Reorganization of the Indian Army under British command
Explanation: After the revolt, the British reorganized the Indian Army, reducing the number of Indian soldiers and increasing British officers.
20. Where was Rani Lakshmibai martyred?
- a) Jhansi
- b) Kanpur
- c) Lucknow
- d) Delhi
Answer: a) Jhansi
Explanation: Rani Lakshmibai was martyred during the defense of Jhansi in 1858, fighting bravely against British forces.
21. Who among the following was the commander-in-chief of the Indian forces during the Revolt of 1857?
- a) Nana Saheb
- b) Tantia Tope
- c) Mangal Pandey
- d) Bahadur Shah Zafar
Answer: b) Tantia Tope
Explanation: Tantia Tope played a key role as the commander-in-chief of the Indian forces, particularly in Central India.
22. Which battle is known as the decisive battle during the Revolt of 1857 in Kanpur?
- a) Battle of Cawnpore
- b) Battle of Kanpur
- c) Battle of Delhi
- d) Battle of Lucknow
Answer: b) Battle of Kanpur
Explanation: The Battle of Kanpur was one of the decisive engagements during the revolt, resulting in the massacre of Indian rebels.
23. What was the role of Mangal Pandey in the Revolt of 1857?
- a) Leader of the revolt in Delhi
- b) Key rebel leader in Meerut
- c) First to raise the banner of revolt
- d) Leader of the Sepoy regiment in Kanpur
Answer: c) First to raise the banner of revolt
Explanation: Mangal Pandey is often considered the first martyr of the revolt for his actions at Barrackpore on March 29, 1857.
24. Which was the first major uprising during the Revolt of 1857?
- a) Siege of Delhi
- b) Battle of Meerut
- c) Siege of Lucknow
- d) Battle of Kanpur
Answer: b) Battle of Meerut
Explanation: The Revolt of 1857 began in Meerut, where sepoys rebelled and marched to Delhi to support Bahadur Shah Zafar.
25. Which Indian state played a key role in the suppression of the Revolt of 1857?
- a) Bengal
- b) Punjab
- c) Maharashtra
- d) Gujarat
Answer: b) Punjab
Explanation: Punjab, which remained loyal to the British, provided crucial military support in suppressing the revolt.
26. What was the primary reason for the discontent of the Indian soldiers in 1857?
- a) Political annexation
- b) Religious interference
- c) Economic hardship
- d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: The discontent among soldiers was caused by political annexations, economic hardships, and the perception of religious intolerance.
27. Which leader of the revolt was known for his slogan “Mukti ki ladai”?
- a) Tatya Tope
- b) Nana Saheb
- c) Mangal Pandey
- d) Rani Lakshmibai
Answer: a) Tatya Tope
Explanation: Tatya Tope was a prominent figure in the revolt and is known for his slogan “Mukti ki ladai” (Fight for Freedom).
28. Who declared Bahadur Shah Zafar as the symbolic leader of the revolt?
- a) Rani Lakshmibai
- b) Tantia Tope
- c) Nana Saheb
- d) All rebel leaders
Answer: d) All rebel leaders
Explanation: Bahadur Shah Zafar was declared the symbolic leader of the revolt by the combined efforts of the rebel leaders.
29. What was the fate of Bahadur Shah Zafar after the revolt?
- a) He was exiled to Andaman Islands
- b) He was made the ruler again
- c) He was exiled to Rangoon
- d) He was executed
Answer: c) He was exiled to Rangoon
Explanation: After the British recaptured Delhi, Bahadur Shah Zafar was captured and exiled to Rangoon (now Yangon), Burma.
30. What was the outcome of the Revolt of 1857 for the British East India Company?
- a) It was dissolved
- b) It was restructured
- c) It gained more power
- d) It expanded its rule
Answer: a) It was dissolved
Explanation: The British East India Company was dissolved after the revolt, and the British Crown took direct control of India.
