Rebels and the Raj – The Revolt of 1857

Source-Based Questions with Answers

CBSE Class 12 History | NCERT Based

Source 1: Proclamation by Rebel Leaders

“The English have subverted religion, destroyed social customs and ruined the country through unjust laws and heavy taxes.”

Q1. Who issued such proclamations during the Revolt of 1857?
These proclamations were issued by rebel leaders and local chiefs during the revolt.

Q2. What grievances against the British are mentioned in the source?
The source mentions religious interference, destruction of customs, and economic exploitation.

Q3. Why were such proclamations important for the rebels?
They mobilised people by appealing to shared fears and traditional values.

Q4. Which social groups were targeted through such proclamations?
Peasants, artisans, sepoys, and local elites were targeted.

Source 2: British Official Report

“The mutiny was the result of military disaffection among the native troops.”

Q5. How did British officials interpret the Revolt of 1857?
They interpreted it mainly as a sepoy mutiny caused by military grievances.

Q6. Why did the British focus only on military causes?
They ignored popular participation to downplay widespread resistance.

Q7. How does NCERT challenge this view?
NCERT highlights the involvement of multiple social groups beyond sepoys.

Source 3: Account of the Enfield Cartridge

“The sepoys believed that the cartridges were greased with cow and pig fat.”

Q8. Why did this belief anger the sepoys?
It hurt the religious sentiments of both Hindus and Muslims.

Q9. How did this issue contribute to the outbreak of the revolt?
It became an immediate trigger for military rebellion.

Q10. What does this reveal about British insensitivity?
It shows British ignorance of Indian religious beliefs.

Source 4: Rumours and Prophecies

“The British rule would end after one hundred years.”

Q11. How did such rumours affect people?
They created hope and urgency for rebellion.

Q12. Why were rumours powerful during the revolt?
They spread quickly and influenced popular emotions.

Q13. What does this source reveal about communication at the time?
Information spread orally through beliefs and symbols.

Source 5: Circulation of Chapatis

“Chapatis were passed from village to village.”

Q14. What was the symbolic meaning of circulating chapatis?
They were believed to be signals of an impending revolt.

Q15. How did such symbols help the rebellion?
They connected villages and created a sense of unity.

Source 6: Proclamation from Delhi

“The Mughal emperor has been restored to the throne.”

Q16. Who was declared the leader of the revolt in Delhi?
Bahadur Shah Zafar was declared the leader.

Q17. Why was this declaration politically significant?
It gave legitimacy and symbolic unity to the revolt.

Source 7: British Punitive Action

“Villages were destroyed and rebels publicly executed.”

Q18. What method of suppression is described here?
Brutal repression and collective punishment are described.

Q19. Why did the British adopt such harsh measures?
To instil fear and prevent future rebellions.

Source 8: Nationalist Writing

“The revolt was the first war of independence.”

Q20. How do nationalist historians interpret the Revolt of 1857?
They view it as a united struggle against British rule.

Why Source-Based Questions Matter for CBSE Exams

Source-based questions test a student’s ability to:

• Interpret historical evidence
• Link sources to events and causes
• Compare colonial and nationalist perspectives
• Use NCERT language accurately

This makes them high-scoring and compulsory-ready for board examinations.

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