Q1. What immediate grievance is described and why did it provoke rebellion?

Answer: The grievance is the rumour that the new Enfield cartridges were greased with cow and pig fat, which offended Hindu and Muslim religious sentiments. Being forced to use them was seen as disrespectful and became the spark for mutiny.

Q2. Which policy does this illustrate and how did it contribute to the revolt?

Answer: This illustrates the Doctrine of Lapse — the Company annexed states with no natural male heir. It dispossessed rulers, created resentment among elites, and pushed some princes to support or join the rebellion.

Q3. Explain how this economic change contributed to unrest.

Answer: The influx of British manufactured goods destroyed local crafts, causing unemployment and loss of livelihoods. Economic distress among artisans added to popular grievances that fuelled support for the revolt.

Q4. What effect did such rumours and fears have on resistance to British rule?

Answer: Fear of forced conversions and cultural interference created alarm and fostered unity among diverse groups (Hindus and Muslims), strengthening collective resistance against Company policies.

Q5. How did these conditions affect sepoy loyalty?

Answer: Unequal treatment and poor conditions lowered morale and loyalty among sepoys, making them more likely to protest, mutiny or join broader rebellions when provoked.

Q6. Identify the places/events referred to and their importance.

Answer: This refers to the Meerut outbreak (10 May 1857) and the march to Delhi where Bahadur Shah II was proclaimed symbolic leader. These events marked the rapid escalation of the revolt and gave it political symbolism.

Q7. Who could this leader be and why are such figures significant?

Answer: This describes Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi. Local leaders like her provided leadership, inspired men and women to resist, and became enduring symbols of courage in national memory.

Q8. Which city is this and what does the episode teach about the nature of the revolt?

Answer: This refers to Kanpur (Cawnpore). The episode shows how local violence, reprisals and contested narratives made the revolt brutal and complex, affecting civilians and deepening divisions.

Q9. Why did the British change army recruitment and deployment?

Answer: To prevent future large-scale mutinies they raised European troop numbers and preferred 'martial races' for recruitment; they also stationed troops to avoid concentrations of disaffected Indian regiments.

Q10. Name the Act and explain its main promise.

Answer: The Government of India Act, 1858 transferred power from the East India Company to the British Crown. The Queen's Proclamation promised to respect Indian religions and customs and to include Indians in administration where possible.

Q11. Explain why the revolt did not spread uniformly across India.

Answer: Differences in local grievances, leadership, social structure and loyalties meant some regions rose while others stayed calm. Lack of central coordination and varied interests shaped regional responses.

Q12. How did economic grievances draw peasants into the rebellion?

Answer: Heavy taxation and exploitative revenue practices caused immediate hardship; local injustices prompted peasants to support or lead attacks on Company officials, linking economic grievances to the wider revolt.

Q13. How did poor communication affect rebel success?

Answer: Poor communication prevented coordinated attacks and sharing of resources; this allowed British forces to defeat uprisings separately rather than facing a united front, weakening overall rebel effectiveness.

Q14. Why were princes' allegiances important during the revolt?

Answer: Princes controlled territory, troops and resources; their support could strengthen either side. British success in co-opting many princes limited the spread and sustainability of the rebellion.

Q15. What did this choice of leader represent and who was he?

Answer: This was Bahadur Shah II, the last Mughal emperor. Declaring him leader provided symbolic legitimacy and a unifying banner for disparate rebels, even though he lacked effective control.

Q16. What were the effects of such reprisals on Indian society?

Answer: Reprisals and harsh punishments created fear, deepened resentment, and left lasting scars; they also signalled the British determination to maintain control but alienated many communities.

Q17. How did stories of 1857 shape later nationalist sentiments?

Answer: Heroes and martyrs from 1857 were commemorated in nationalist narratives, inspiring leaders and creating a shared memory of resistance that influenced political mobilisation in the 20th century.

Q18. Explain the strategic reason behind this policy shift.

Answer: The British realised that annexation and dispossession fuelled resistance; by co-opting princes and landlords they aimed to stabilise rule and reduce the likelihood of future large-scale uprisings.

Q19. How did the revolt influence the pace of British social reforms?

Answer: The administration slowed or handled reforms more cautiously to avoid offending religious or cultural sentiments, preferring gradual change to reduce risk of unrest.

Q20. How should students answer such a source-based linkage question?

Answer: Identify local grievances (e.g., taxes, sepoy issues), explain how they connect to broader causes (political, economic, social), provide specific examples (Meerut, Kanpur, Jhansi), and conclude by showing how local incidents fed the wider 1857 uprising.