MCQ on Revolt of 1857

🟢 Easy (20 Questions)

1. When did the Revolt of 1857 begin?
   a) 1855
   b) 1856
   c) 1857
   d) 1858
   ✅ Answer: c) 1857
   📘 Explanation: The revolt began on May 10, 1857, in Meerut.
2. Which city was the first to witness the outbreak of the Revolt of 1857?
   a) Delhi
   b) Kanpur
   c) Meerut
   d) Lucknow
   ✅ Answer: c) Meerut
   📘 Explanation: The revolt began in Meerut before spreading to other cities.
3. Who was declared the symbolic leader of the 1857 revolt?
   a) Nana Sahib
   b) Bahadur Shah II
   c) Tantia Tope
   d) Rani Lakshmi Bai
   ✅ Answer: b) Bahadur Shah II
   📘 Explanation: The rebels declared Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal emperor, as their leader.
4. Who led the revolt in Kanpur?
   a) Rani Lakshmi Bai
   b) Nana Sahib
   c) Begum Hazrat Mahal
   d) Mangal Pandey
   ✅ Answer: b) Nana Sahib
   📘 Explanation: Nana Sahib led the revolt in Kanpur.
5. Who led the revolt in Jhansi?
   a) Begum Hazrat Mahal
   b) Rani Lakshmi Bai
   c) Tantia Tope
   d) Nana Sahib
   ✅ Answer: b) Rani Lakshmi Bai
   📘 Explanation: Rani Lakshmi Bai famously led the uprising in Jhansi.
6. Who was Mangal Pandey?
   a) Mughal Emperor
   b) British General
   c) Sepoy who initiated the revolt
   d) Rebel leader in Delhi
   ✅ Answer: c) Sepoy who initiated the revolt
   📘 Explanation: Mangal Pandey’s actions at Barrackpore sparked the initial mutiny.
7. Which was a major cause of the revolt of 1857?
   a) Religious harmony
   b) Industrialization
   c) Introduction of the Enfield rifle
   d) Good governance
   ✅ Answer: c) Introduction of the Enfield rifle
   📘 Explanation: The cartridges of the Enfield rifle were rumored to be greased with cow and pig fat.
8. Who led the revolt in Lucknow?
   a) Bahadur Shah Zafar
   b) Nana Sahib
   c) Begum Hazrat Mahal
   d) Mangal Pandey
   ✅ Answer: c) Begum Hazrat Mahal
   📘 Explanation: She played a prominent role in Lucknow during the revolt.
9. Which policy of the British was resented by Indian rulers?
   a) Divide and rule
   b) Policy of Subsidiary Alliance
   c) Doctrine of Lapse
   d) Economic reforms
   ✅ Answer: c) Doctrine of Lapse
   📘 Explanation: Lord Dalhousie’s Doctrine of Lapse led to annexation of several Indian states.
10. Which British officer suppressed the revolt in Kanpur?
    a) Lord Canning
    b) General Havelock
    c) John Nicholson
    d) Lord Dalhousie
    ✅ Answer: b) General Havelock
    📘 Explanation: He recaptured Kanpur from Nana Sahib.
11. Which rebel leader was associated with Gwalior?
    a) Tantia Tope
    b) Mangal Pandey
    c) Kunwar Singh
    d) Bahadur Shah II
    ✅ Answer: a) Tantia Tope
    📘 Explanation: Tantia Tope was a key figure in Gwalior.
12. Which social reform upset the orthodox Indians before the revolt?
    a) Abolition of Sati
    b) Widow Remarriage Act
    c) English education
    d) All of the above
    ✅ Answer: d) All of the above
    📘 Explanation: All these reforms were seen as threats to traditional Indian values.
13. Who was the Governor-General during the Revolt of 1857?
    a) Lord Dalhousie
    b) Lord Canning
    c) Lord Curzon
    d) Lord Ripon
    ✅ Answer: b) Lord Canning
    📘 Explanation: Lord Canning was the Governor-General at the time.
14. What was the major military cause of the revolt?
    a) Pay inequality
    b) Disrespect to Indian soldiers
    c) Use of greased cartridges
    d) Low recruitment
    ✅ Answer: c) Use of greased cartridges
    📘 Explanation: The cartridges hurt religious sentiments.
15. The Revolt of 1857 is also known as:
    a) Indian War of Independence
    b) Sepoy Rebellion
    c) First War of Indian Independence
    d) All of the above
    ✅ Answer: d) All of the above
    📘 Explanation: It is known by multiple names in history.
16. Which leader was associated with Bihar during the revolt?
    a) Kunwar Singh
    b) Nana Sahib
    c) Rani Lakshmi Bai
    d) Tantia Tope
    ✅ Answer: a) Kunwar Singh
    📘 Explanation: Kunwar Singh led the revolt in Bihar at age 80.
17. What was the main reason for discontent among Indian sepoys?
    a) Lack of promotions
    b) Poor salary
    c) Cultural insensitivity
    d) All of the above
    ✅ Answer: d) All of the above
    📘 Explanation: Multiple grievances led to dissatisfaction.
18. Where was Bahadur Shah Zafar exiled to?
    a) Andaman
    b) Mandalay
    c) Rangoon
    d) Calcutta
    ✅ Answer: c) Rangoon
    📘 Explanation: He was exiled to Rangoon (Burma).
19. What happened to Rani Lakshmi Bai in the revolt?
    a) Captured
    b) Exiled
    c) Killed in battle
    d) Surrendered
    ✅ Answer: c) Killed in battle
    📘 Explanation: She died fighting the British at Gwalior.
20. Which famous title was abolished after the revolt?
    a) Nawab
    b) Peshwa
    c) Mughal Emperor
    d) Raja
    ✅ Answer: c) Mughal Emperor
    📘 Explanation: The Mughal dynasty officially ended after the revolt.

🟡 Moderate (21–40)

21. Which British officer played a key role in suppressing the revolt in Delhi?
    a) Sir Hugh Rose
    b) General Havelock
    c) John Nicholson
    d) Lord Canning
    ✅ Answer: c) John Nicholson
    📘 Explanation: He was instrumental in the recapture of Delhi before dying of wounds.
22. Who was the British Resident at Lucknow killed during the revolt?
    a) Henry Lawrence
    b) James Outram
    c) Colin Campbell
    d) William Sleeman
    ✅ Answer: a) Henry Lawrence
    📘 Explanation: He was mortally wounded during the siege of Lucknow.
23. Who was appointed as the commander of rebel forces in Delhi?
    a) Bakht Khan
    b) Mangal Pandey
    c) Tantia Tope
    d) Kunwar Singh
    ✅ Answer: a) Bakht Khan
    📘 Explanation: Bakht Khan, a former soldier, led rebel forces in Delhi.
24. What was the immediate effect of the Revolt of 1857?
    a) More British reforms
    b) End of East India Company rule
    c) Indian independence
    d) Expansion of Indian army
    ✅ Answer: b) End of East India Company rule
    📘 Explanation: The British Crown took direct control of India in 1858.
25. Which act transferred control of India from the Company to the Crown?
    a) Indian Councils Act
    b) Government of India Act 1858
    c) Charter Act of 1833
    d) Regulating Act
    ✅ Answer: b) Government of India Act 1858
    📘 Explanation: This act formally ended Company rule.
26. Which queen led the forces in the Awadh region during the revolt?
    a) Rani Lakshmi Bai
    b) Begum Hazrat Mahal
    c) Rani Durgavati
    d) Chand Bibi
    ✅ Answer: b) Begum Hazrat Mahal
    📘 Explanation: She led the resistance against the British in Lucknow.
27. Which of the following was not a center of the 1857 revolt?
    a) Delhi
    b) Kanpur
    c) Madras
    d) Lucknow
    ✅ Answer: c) Madras
    📘 Explanation: The southern part of India remained largely unaffected.
28. The Enfield rifle issue hurt the sentiments of:
    a) Hindus only
    b) Muslims only
    c) Hindus and Muslims both
    d) Christians
    ✅ Answer: c) Hindus and Muslims both
    📘 Explanation: Cow fat offended Hindus; pig fat offended Muslims.
29. The revolt of 1857 was mostly confined to:
    a) South India
    b) East India
    c) North and Central India
    d) Western India
    ✅ Answer: c) North and Central India
    📘 Explanation: The revolt did not spread to southern and eastern parts significantly.
30. Which of the following rulers joined the 1857 revolt?
    a) Scindias of Gwalior
    b) Nizam of Hyderabad
    c) Rani Lakshmi Bai
    d) Holkars of Indore
    ✅ Answer: c) Rani Lakshmi Bai
    📘 Explanation: Most princely states remained loyal to the British except some like Jhansi.
31. Who betrayed Tantia Tope leading to his capture?
    a) Nana Sahib
    b) Kunwar Singh
    c) Man Singh
    d) Bahadur Shah II
    ✅ Answer: c) Man Singh
    📘 Explanation: Tantia Tope was handed over to the British by Man Singh.
32. Which British commander recaptured Lucknow in 1858?
    a) Colin Campbell
    b) Hugh Rose
    c) John Lawrence
    d) Henry Havelock
    ✅ Answer: a) Colin Campbell
    📘 Explanation: He led the successful recapture of Lucknow.
33. Which British policy was seen as a cause of economic discontent?
    a) Doctrine of Lapse
    b) Drain of Wealth
    c) Subsidiary Alliance
    d) Ryotwari system
    ✅ Answer: b) Drain of Wealth
    📘 Explanation: British economic policies led to massive exploitation.
34. The Revolt of 1857 was referred to as a “Sepoy Mutiny” by:
    a) R.C. Majumdar
    b) S.N. Sen
    c) British historians
    d) V.D. Savarkar
    ✅ Answer: c) British historians
    📘 Explanation: British termed it a mere military rebellion.
35. Which leader used guerrilla tactics effectively against the British?
    a) Tantia Tope
    b) Nana Sahib
    c) Bahadur Shah
    d) Kunwar Singh
    ✅ Answer: a) Tantia Tope
    📘 Explanation: He used guerrilla warfare after defeat in open battles.
36. Which Indian historian considered the 1857 revolt a national uprising?
    a) R.C. Majumdar
    b) V.D. Savarkar
    c) S.N. Sen
    d) K.M. Panikkar
    ✅ Answer: b) V.D. Savarkar
    📘 Explanation: He called it the First War of Independence.
37. What was the fate of Nana Sahib after the revolt?
    a) Captured and hanged
    b) Escaped and disappeared
    c) Exiled to Burma
    d) Became king
    ✅ Answer: b) Escaped and disappeared
    📘 Explanation: His exact fate remains uncertain.
38. Which group remained largely loyal to the British during the revolt?
    a) Sepoys
    b) Rajputs
    c) Sikhs
    d) Brahmins
    ✅ Answer: c) Sikhs
    📘 Explanation: Many Sikh troops supported the British.
39. What role did the British press play during the revolt?
    a) Supported rebels
    b) Remained neutral
    c) Supported British actions
    d) Criticized British
    ✅ Answer: c) Supported British actions
    📘 Explanation: It often praised British suppression of the revolt.
40. After the revolt, what was created to assist the British Viceroy?
    a) Indian Civil Service
    b) Secretary of State for India
    c) Indian National Congress
    d) Chamber of Princes
    ✅ Answer: b) Secretary of State for India
    📘 Explanation: Appointed to oversee Indian administration from London.

🔴 Hard (41–50)

41. Who authored the book “The History of the Indian Mutiny of 1857”?
    a) V.D. Savarkar
    b) Charles Ball
    c) S.N. Sen
    d) R.C. Majumdar
    ✅ Answer: b) Charles Ball
    📘 Explanation: He wrote a detailed British perspective of the revolt.
42. Which sepoy regiment initiated the revolt in Meerut?
    a) 34th Native Infantry
    b) 3rd Cavalry
    c) 11th Bengal Infantry
    d) 90th Foot Regiment
    ✅ Answer: b) 3rd Cavalry
    📘 Explanation: The 3rd Light Cavalry at Meerut started the mutiny.
43. Which Indian leader was captured and executed in April 1859?
    a) Nana Sahib
    b) Bahadur Shah
    c) Tantia Tope
    d) Mangal Pandey
    ✅ Answer: c) Tantia Tope
    📘 Explanation: He was betrayed and hanged.
44. Which princely state was annexed using the Doctrine of Lapse before the revolt?
    a) Hyderabad
    b) Gwalior
    c) Jhansi
    d) Mysore
    ✅ Answer: c) Jhansi
    📘 Explanation: The annexation angered Rani Lakshmi Bai.
45. Which Indian nationalist criticized calling 1857 a national war?
    a) Bipan Chandra
    b) R.C. Majumdar
    c) Dadabhai Naoroji
    d) Surendranath Banerjee
    ✅ Answer: b) R.C. Majumdar
    📘 Explanation: He viewed it as a series of uncoordinated mutinies.
46. Which battle marked the end of Rani Lakshmi Bai’s life?
    a) Battle of Kanpur
    b) Siege of Jhansi
    c) Battle of Gwalior
    d) Battle of Lucknow
    ✅ Answer: c) Battle of Gwalior
    📘 Explanation: She died fighting the British at Gwalior in 1858.
47. Which city saw the establishment of a rebel government during the revolt?
    a) Delhi
    b) Kanpur
    c) Lucknow
    d) Arrah
    ✅ Answer: b) Kanpur
    📘 Explanation: Nana Sahib set up his own administration briefly.
48. Which British woman became a symbol of resistance during the siege of Lucknow?
    a) Emily Eden
    b) Lady Canning
    c) Begum Hazrat Mahal
    d) Margaret Wheeler
    ✅ Answer: d) Margaret Wheeler
    📘 Explanation: She wrote about her experiences during the siege.
49. Which Indian regiment was disbanded for refusing the cartridges?
    a) 19th Bengal Infantry
    b) 3rd Cavalry
    c) 34th Native Infantry
    d) 38th Bengal Native Infantry
    ✅ Answer: a) 19th Bengal Infantry
    📘 Explanation: Disbanded in March 1857 after protest.
50. What was the primary limitation of the Revolt of 1857?
    a) Lack of popular support
    b) Foreign intervention
    c) Absence of a clear goal or unity
    d) Involvement of French forces
    ✅ Answer: c) Absence of a clear goal or unity
    📘 Explanation: It lacked coordination and a unified national vision.