1. What year did the Revolt of 1857 begin?

1857.

2. Where did the uprising first break out?

Meerut.

3. Who was declared a symbolic leader in Delhi?

Bahadur Shah II.

4. By which authority was India governed before 1858?

The British East India Company.

5. Which Act transferred power to the British Crown?

Government of India Act, 1858.

6. What was the immediate military cause of the revolt?

Rumour that Enfield cartridges were greased with cow and pig fat.

7. Why did the greased cartridge offend sepoys?

It violated Hindu and Muslim religious beliefs.

8. Who was associated with early unrest before 1857?

Mangal Pandey.

9. When did the sepoys in Meerut march to Delhi?

10 May 1857.

10. What role did the sepoys play?

They led the initial armed uprising against Company rule.

11. Name one political policy that caused resentment.

Doctrine of Lapse.

12. What did annexations lead to?

Dispossession of princes and loss of traditional authority.

13. How did British interference affect rulers?

It undermined their power and succession rights.

14. Which group among Indians was directly threatened politically?

Local rulers and zamindars.

15. Why did these political grievances matter?

They drove elite support for the rebellion against the Company.

16. How did land revenue policies affect peasants?

High taxes led to loss of land and hardship.

17. What happened to traditional artisans?

They faced ruin due to cheap British manufactured goods.

18. Why did economic changes create unrest?

They caused widespread poverty and anger among common people.

19. Which economic group supported the rebellion at times?

Peasants and displaced artisans.

20. Name one consequence of economic exploitation.

Decline of local crafts and loss of livelihoods.

21. What social fear contributed to the revolt?

Fear of forced religious conversion.

22. How did missionary activities affect Indians?

They created suspicion and cultural anxiety.

23. Which reforms worried many Indians?

Social reforms that interfered with traditions.

24. Did social grievances unite different groups?

Yes — they helped bring various groups together in opposition.

25. Name a cultural factor behind the revolt.

Interference in marriage, succession and religious practices.

26. Which city became the rebel headquarters?

Delhi.

27. Which queen became a symbol of resistance?

Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi.

28. Who led the rebellion in Kanpur?

Nana Sahib.

29. Name a general who supported rebels and fought the British.

Tantia Tope.

30. Which siege is famous from the revolt?

The Siege of Lucknow.

31. What major administrative change followed the revolt?

Transfer of power from Company to the British Crown.

32. What was the Queen's Proclamation?

A promise to respect Indian traditions and include Indians in governance.

33. How was the army reorganised?

More European troops and recruitment from 'martial races'.

34. What change occurred in annexation policy?

British became cautious and avoided aggressive annexations.

35. How did the British secure loyalty?

By allying with loyal princes and landlords.

36. Did the revolt lead to immediate independence?

No — but it influenced later nationalist movements.

37. What memory did the revolt create?

A symbol of resistance and national pride.

38. How did British attitudes change?

They adopted more conservative and cautious policies.

39. Which sectors took longer to reform after 1857?

Administrative and military structures.

40. Name one political lesson Indians learned.

The importance of organised political mobilisation.

41. Define 'Sepoy'.

An Indian soldier in the Company’s army.

42. What is the 'Doctrine of Lapse'?

Policy allowing annexation of states without a legal male heir.

43. When was the Government of India Act passed?

1858.

44. Mention one centre of the revolt in Central India.

Jhansi.

45. Who was Bahadur Shah II?

The last Mughal emperor and a symbolic leader in 1857.

46. Name one reason the revolt spread slowly in some regions.

Lack of central coordination among rebels.

47. Give one example of a map question related to the chapter.

Locate Meerut, Delhi, Kanpur, Lucknow and Jhansi on the map.

48. What should a 2–3 mark answer include?

2–3 short points with names/dates where possible.

49. What is one exam tip for long answers?

Structure answers: intro, 3–4 points, conclusion.

50. How can students revise effectively for this chapter?

Use timeline, flashcards of names/dates, and practice sample questions.