Rebels and the Raj – The Revolt of 1857

MCQs with Answers and Explanations

CBSE Class 12 History | NCERT Based

1. The Revolt of 1857 began at:

A. Delhi
B. Lucknow
C. Meerut
D. Kanpur

Correct Answer: C. Meerut

Explanation:
The revolt started on 10 May 1857 at Meerut when sepoys refused to obey orders and rose against British officers.

2. Which policy was most responsible for the annexation of princely states?

A. Permanent Settlement
B. Subsidiary Alliance
C. Doctrine of Lapse
D. Ryotwari System

Correct Answer: C. Doctrine of Lapse

Explanation:
Under the Doctrine of Lapse, the British annexed states where rulers died without natural heirs, angering Indian princes.

3. Which event immediately triggered the Revolt of 1857?

A. Annexation of Awadh
B. Heavy land revenue
C. Use of Enfield cartridges
D. Spread of missionary activities

Correct Answer: C. Use of Enfield cartridges

Explanation:
The Enfield cartridges were believed to be greased with cow and pig fat, offending religious sentiments of sepoys.

4. Delhi became the centre of the revolt because:

A. It was a major military base
B. It had a large population
C. The Mughal emperor was declared leader
D. It was close to Meerut

Correct Answer: C. The Mughal emperor was declared leader

Explanation:
Rebels proclaimed Bahadur Shah Zafar as emperor, giving symbolic legitimacy to the revolt.

5. Who led the revolt in Kanpur?

A. Kunwar Singh
B. Rani Lakshmibai
C. Nana Saheb
D. Begum Hazrat Mahal

Correct Answer: C. Nana Saheb

Explanation:
Nana Saheb led the revolt in Kanpur after being denied his pension by the British.

6. The annexation of Awadh mainly affected:

A. British officials
B. European traders
C. Taluqdars and sepoys
D. Missionaries

Correct Answer: C. Taluqdars and sepoys

Explanation:
Awadh had many taluqdars and sepoys whose livelihoods were directly affected by annexation.

7. Which leader organised resistance in Awadh?

A. Rani Lakshmibai
B. Begum Hazrat Mahal
C. Nana Saheb
D. Kunwar Singh

Correct Answer: B. Begum Hazrat Mahal

Explanation:
Begum Hazrat Mahal led the revolt in Awadh and mobilised popular support.

8. Rani Lakshmibai is associated with which centre of revolt?

A. Kanpur
B. Lucknow
C. Jhansi
D. Arrah

Correct Answer: C. Jhansi

Explanation:
Rani Lakshmibai led armed resistance in Jhansi against British forces.

9. Kunwar Singh was a leader from:

A. Awadh
B. Delhi
C. Bihar
D. Bundelkhand

Correct Answer: C. Bihar

Explanation:
Kunwar Singh was a zamindar from Bihar who led guerrilla warfare.

10. Which group formed the backbone of the revolt?

A. Merchants
B. Zamindars
C. Sepoys
D. Princes

Correct Answer: C. Sepoys

Explanation:
Indian sepoys initiated the revolt and provided its military strength.

11. Which of the following was an economic cause of the revolt?

A. Western education
B. High land revenue demands
C. Christian missionaries
D. Doctrine of Lapse

Correct Answer: B. High land revenue demands

Explanation:
Heavy revenue demands ruined peasants and created widespread dissatisfaction.

12. Why did artisans support the revolt?

A. Loss of political power
B. Decline of handicrafts
C. Religious reforms
D. Military discipline

Correct Answer: B. Decline of handicrafts

Explanation:
British industrial goods destroyed traditional crafts, affecting artisans’ livelihoods.

13. What role did rumours play in the revolt?

A. Reduced British authority
B. Spread fear and unity
C. Improved communication
D. Strengthened army discipline

Correct Answer: B. Spread fear and unity

Explanation:
Rumours about religious threats and British collapse mobilised people emotionally.

14. Circulation of chapatis before the revolt symbolised:

A. British control
B. Trade networks
C. Secret mobilisation
D. Food shortage

Correct Answer: C. Secret mobilisation

Explanation:
Chapatis were believed to be symbolic messages warning of an impending revolt.

15. Which region was most affected by the Revolt of 1857?

A. South India
B. North and Central India
C. Eastern India
D. Western coast

Correct Answer: B. North and Central India

Explanation:
The revolt was largely confined to north and central India.

16. Why did some Indian rulers not join the revolt?

A. Religious differences
B. Fear of British power
C. Lack of resources
D. Support for reforms

Correct Answer: B. Fear of British power

Explanation:
Many rulers remained loyal to protect their territories and privileges.

17. How did the British suppress the revolt?

A. Negotiations
B. Religious reforms
C. Military force and repression
D. Economic concessions

Correct Answer: C. Military force and repression

Explanation:
The British used superior arms, reinforcements, and brutal punishments.

18. Which city was recaptured in September 1857?

A. Kanpur
B. Lucknow
C. Delhi
D. Jhansi

Correct Answer: C. Delhi

Explanation:
The recapture of Delhi marked a turning point in British suppression.

19. What happened to Bahadur Shah Zafar after the revolt?

A. He was pardoned
B. He became governor
C. He was exiled
D. He was reinstated

Correct Answer: C. He was exiled

Explanation:
Bahadur Shah Zafar was captured and exiled by the British.

20. Which body’s rule ended after the revolt?

A. British Parliament
B. East India Company
C. Indian National Congress
D. Mughal Empire

Correct Answer: B. East India Company

Explanation:
The revolt led to the end of Company rule in India.

21. Which Act transferred power to the British Crown?

A. Regulating Act
B. Pitt’s India Act
C. Government of India Act, 1858
D. Indian Councils Act

Correct Answer: C. Government of India Act, 1858

Explanation:
This Act placed India under direct control of the British Crown.

22. After 1857, the British promised:

A. Complete independence
B. Religious non-interference
C. Land redistribution
D. Army reduction

Correct Answer: B. Religious non-interference

Explanation:
The British assured Indians they would not interfere in religious practices.

23. How did colonial historians describe the revolt?

A. National movement
B. Peasant uprising
C. Sepoy mutiny
D. Religious war

Correct Answer: C. Sepoy mutiny

Explanation:
Colonial historians limited the revolt to military disaffection.

24. Nationalist historians called the revolt:

A. A failed mutiny
B. A regional rebellion
C. The First War of Independence
D. A religious conflict

Correct Answer: C. The First War of Independence

Explanation:
Nationalists highlighted unity and anti-colonial resistance.

25. What is the NCERT view of the revolt?

A. Purely military mutiny
B. Fully national movement
C. Popular but regionally limited revolt
D. Religious uprising

Correct Answer: C. Popular but regionally limited revolt

Explanation:
NCERT presents a balanced interpretation acknowledging diversity and limits.

26. Which source helps understand popular emotions during the revolt?

A. Revenue records
B. Folk songs and memories
C. Trade statistics
D. Army manuals

Correct Answer: B. Folk songs and memories

Explanation:
They reflect people’s feelings and perceptions of the revolt.

27. Why did the revolt fail ultimately?

A. Lack of grievances
B. British support
C. Lack of unity and leadership
D. Poor participation

Correct Answer: C. Lack of unity and leadership

Explanation:
Absence of central leadership and coordination weakened the revolt.

28. Which group attacked moneylenders and destroyed records?

A. Princes
B. Sepoys
C. Peasants
D. Merchants

Correct Answer: C. Peasants

Explanation:
Peasants expressed anger against exploitation and debt.

29. British attitude after 1857 became more:

A. Liberal
B. Radical
C. Cautious
D. Revolutionary

Correct Answer: C. Cautious

Explanation:
The British avoided social interference to prevent future revolts.

30. Why is the Revolt of 1857 historically important?

A. It ended monarchy
B. It started Congress
C. It challenged colonial rule
D. It introduced reforms

Correct Answer: C. It challenged colonial rule

Explanation:
The revolt exposed weaknesses of British rule and shaped future nationalism.