1. What is the Revolt of 1857 often called by Indian nationalists?

Indian nationalists often call it the First War of Independence because it was a large-scale uprising against British rule involving many regions and communities.

2. Mention two social groups involved in the 1857 revolt.

Sepoys (Indian soldiers) and peasants were prominently involved, along with local rulers, artisans and sections of the urban population.

3. How did the revolt begin in Meerut?

It began when Indian sepoys refused to use the new Enfield cartridges and were punished; they rebelled on 10 May 1857 and marched to Delhi.

4. Why is 1858 a significant year in the context of the revolt?

In 1858 the British suppressed most of the rebellion and passed the Government of India Act, transferring authority from the East India Company to the British Crown.

5. Give one reason the revolt cannot be seen as completely uniform across India.

The revolt varied regionally — some areas saw intense fighting while others remained calm or loyal to the British, reflecting differing local grievances and leadership.

6. What was the immediate trigger for the 1857 uprising?

The immediate trigger was the rumour that Enfield rifle cartridges were greased with cow and pig fat, offending Hindu and Muslim soldiers.

7. Apart from cartridges, name two military grievances of sepoys.

Low pay and limited opportunities for promotion compared to British soldiers were significant grievances among sepoys.

8. Who was Mangal Pandey and why is he remembered?

Mangal Pandey was a sepoy who attacked British officers in 1857; he is remembered for his role in earlier unrest that symbolised sepoy resistance.

9. How did the composition of the army contribute to discontent?

Indian soldiers felt treated unequally, and changes in recruitment and service terms created resentment and a sense of insecurity among sepoys.

10. What immediate action did sepoys in Meerut take on 10 May 1857?

They killed British officers, freed imprisoned comrades, and marched to Delhi to seek support from Bahadur Shah II.

11. Explain the Doctrine of Lapse in brief.

The Doctrine of Lapse allowed the British to annex states where rulers died without a natural male heir, denying the right of adoption and provoking rulers.

12. How did annexations affect Indian rulers?

Annexations dispossessed many rulers of their territories, undermined traditional authority and created political resentment against the Company.

13. Give an example of a state annexed under Company policies before 1857.

Awadh (Oudh) was annexed in 1856, which caused anger among nobles and displaced many who were loyal to the old rule.

14. Why did the British interference in succession matters cause unrest?

Because it threatened established rights and privileges of princes and chiefs, leading them to oppose British authority.

15. How did political grievances help the revolt?

They drew support from disaffected elites who joined or lent moral support to local uprisings, enhancing the scale of opposition.

16. What economic changes threatened peasants under Company rule?

High land taxes and new revenue settlements led many peasants to lose land or face heavy burdens, increasing rural discontent.

17. How did industrial goods from Britain affect Indian artisans?

Cheap machine-made goods from Britain undermined traditional crafts, causing loss of livelihoods for many artisans.

18. Mention one economic grievance of soldiers' families.

Soldiers' families often suffered from inadequate pensions and support, worsening the effects of military policies on communities.

19. How did land policies contribute to unrest among zamindars?

Some zamindars lost privileges or land due to new settlements, causing them to resent Company interference.

20. Why is economic distress considered important in the revolt?

Because it affected large numbers of people and helped turn local grievances into active rebellion against the Company.

21. How did missionary activities cause anxiety?

Missionary efforts and perceived attempts at conversion alarmed many communities, who feared loss of religious identity.

22. Give an example of a social reform that worried Indians.

Reforms such as the abolition of certain practices and changes in legal systems were seen as interference in tradition and culture.

23. Did social causes play a role in uniting people?

Yes — fears about religion and culture helped bring diverse groups together under shared concerns about British policies.

24. What role did local grievances play in the revolt?

Local grievances like unfair taxation or injustices under Company officials often sparked local uprisings that joined the larger rebellion.

25. How did cultural factors influence the sepoys?

Cultural sensitivity regarding caste, religion and rituals meant actions perceived as disrespectful could provoke strong reactions among sepoys.

26. Which cities were key centres of the revolt?

Meerut, Delhi, Kanpur, Lucknow and Jhansi were among the principal centres of the 1857 uprising.

27. Describe Rani Lakshmibai's role in one sentence.

Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi led armed resistance in Central India and became a symbol of courage and leadership in the revolt.

28. Who was Nana Sahib and what did he do?

29. Name a military leader who supported rebel efforts.

Tantia Tope was a prominent military leader who organised campaigns and supported rebel forces in several regions.

30. What symbolic role did Bahadur Shah II play?

As the last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah II was declared a symbolic leader in Delhi, giving the revolt a sense of legitimacy for some rebels.

31. What happened at the Siege of Lucknow?

The British Residency at Lucknow was besieged by rebels; prolonged fighting and eventual relief by British forces made it a notable episode.

32. Briefly describe the events at Kanpur.

Kanpur witnessed fierce fighting under Nana Sahib, including massacres and counteractions that made it one of the conflict's tragic centres.

33. How did rebels capture Delhi?

After marching from Meerut, sepoys entered Delhi and took control, proclaiming Bahadur Shah II as leader in May 1857.

34. Mention one reason the rebels failed to hold Delhi long-term.

They lacked coordinated leadership, supplies and reinforcements to sustain long-term defence against organised British counterattacks.

35. How important was local leadership to the spread of the revolt?

Local leaders organised uprisings and mobilised support, which allowed the revolt to spread rapidly in areas with strong local leadership.

36. What administrative change took place after the revolt?

The British Crown took control of India from the East India Company, formalised by the Government of India Act, 1858.

37. What was the purpose of the Queen's Proclamation?

It aimed to reassure Indians by promising respect for religions and customs and to include Indians in governance where possible.

38. Give one change the British made in the army.

They increased the number of European troops and changed recruitment to rely more on groups they considered loyal or 'martial races'.

39. How did land policies change after 1857?

The British became more cautious about annexations and tried to secure support of princes and landlords to stabilise their rule.

40. What immediate political lesson did the British take from the revolt?

41. In what way did the revolt influence future nationalist movements?

It provided a memory of resistance and inspired later leaders who organised political movements for independence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

42. How did British policies become more conservative after 1857?

They avoided aggressive annexation and aimed to work through existing elites, making policies cautious to avoid provoking unrest.

43. What is one reason the revolt is important in Indian history?

It signalled a major shift in colonial governance and marked the beginning of direct British rule, altering India's political landscape.

44. Suggest one effective revision technique for this chapter.

Make a timeline of events, notes of causes/outcomes, and flashcards for dates and personalities to memorise key facts quickly.

45. What type of map question can be asked from this chapter?

Students may be asked to locate and label key centres like Meerut, Delhi, Kanpur, Lucknow and Jhansi on a map of India.

46. Define 'sepoy' in one line.

A sepoy was an Indian soldier employed in the British East India Company's army.

47. What does 'annexation' mean?

Annexation is the act of taking over or incorporating a territory into one's own domain or state.

48. Name two leaders from the 1857 revolt.

Rani Lakshmibai and Nana Sahib are two prominent leaders associated with the revolt.

49. What is one short exam tip for answering 5-mark questions?

Begin with a clear introduction, list 3–4 well-explained points, and end with a short conclusion linking to significance.

50. How should students present dates and names in answers?

Include specific dates and names where relevant to support points, writing them clearly in short lines to score marks for accuracy.