Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) on “The Revolt of 1857: Causes, Consequences and Legacy” suitable for Civil Services Examination preparation

1. What was the immediate cause of the Revolt of 1857?

a) British expansion policy
b) Doctrine of Lapse
c) Introduction of Enfield rifles and greased cartridges
d) High land revenue demands
Answer: c) Introduction of Enfield rifles and greased cartridges

2. Which Indian soldier sparked the revolt by refusing to use greased cartridges in March 1857?

a) Mangal Pandey
b) Bahadur Shah II
c) Nana Sahib
d) Tantia Tope
Answer: a) Mangal Pandey

3. Which of the following princely states was annexed by the British under the Doctrine of Lapse?

a) Awadh
b) Jhansi
c) Hyderabad
d) Mysore
Answer: b) Jhansi

4. Who was declared the symbolic leader of the 1857 revolt by the rebels in Delhi?

a) Rani Lakshmibai
b) Nana Sahib
c) Bahadur Shah II
d) Tantia Tope
Answer: c) Bahadur Shah II

5. Which of the following was NOT a cause of the 1857 revolt?

a) Religious sentiments
b) Economic exploitation
c) Western education
d) Indian nationalism
Answer: d) Indian nationalism

6. Which British officer recaptured Delhi from the rebels in 1857?

a) Lord Dalhousie
b) Sir Hugh Rose
c) Sir Colin Campbell
d) John Nicholson
Answer: d) John Nicholson

7. Where did Rani Lakshmibai lead the revolt against the British?

a) Gwalior
b) Jhansi
c) Delhi
d) Lucknow
Answer: b) Jhansi

8. Which of the following rulers supported the British during the Revolt of 1857?

a) Nizam of Hyderabad
b) Nawab of Awadh
c) Rani Lakshmibai
d) Bahadur Shah II
Answer: a) Nizam of Hyderabad

9. The Revolt of 1857 is also known by which of the following names?

a) First War of Independence
b) Indian Civil War
c) The Sepoy Mutiny
d) The Great Rebellion
Answer: a) First War of Independence

10. Which of the following regions remained largely unaffected by the revolt of 1857?

a) Punjab
b) Bengal
c) Rajasthan
d) Deccan
Answer: b) Bengal

11. Who led the revolt in Kanpur during the 1857 uprising?

a) Nana Sahib
b) Bahadur Shah II
c) Tantia Tope
d) Mangal Pandey
Answer: a) Nana Sahib

12. What role did the Doctrine of Lapse play in the revolt of 1857?

a) Annexation of Indian states without heirs
b) Imposition of heavy taxes
c) Banning of traditional customs
d) Disbandment of Indian armies
Answer: a) Annexation of Indian states without heirs

13. Which leader led the revolt in Awadh (Oudh)?

a) Begum Hazrat Mahal
b) Rani Lakshmibai
c) Nana Sahib
d) Tantia Tope
Answer: a) Begum Hazrat Mahal

14. Which city was the center of the revolt in Bihar?

a) Gaya
b) Bhagalpur
c) Patna
d) Arrah
Answer: d) Arrah

15. The Revolt of 1857 began in which city?

a) Delhi
b) Meerut
c) Lucknow
d) Jhansi
Answer: b) Meerut

16. Who was the British Governor-General during the 1857 revolt?

a) Lord Dalhousie
b) Lord Canning
c) Lord Ripon
d) Lord Curzon
Answer: b) Lord Canning

17. Which leader of the revolt was associated with Gwalior?

a) Nana Sahib
b) Bahadur Shah II
c) Rani Lakshmibai
d) Tantia Tope
Answer: c) Rani Lakshmibai

18. Which of the following British policies was criticized for contributing to the 1857 revolt?

a) Subsidiary Alliance
b) Doctrine of Lapse
c) Permanent Settlement
d) Ryotwari System
Answer: b) Doctrine of Lapse

19. What was the primary consequence of the Revolt of 1857?

a) British control over India was strengthened
b) Transfer of power from the East India Company to the British Crown
c) Expansion of the Indian princely states
d) Immediate Indian independence
Answer: b) Transfer of power from the East India Company to the British Crown

20. Which religious reform was introduced after the 1857 revolt?

a) Ban on Sati
b) Religious neutrality of the British administration
c) Ban on child marriage
d) Missionary activities were legalized
Answer: b) Religious neutrality of the British administration

21. The 1857 revolt failed because of the lack of which of the following?

a) Support from the Indian princes
b) Unity among rebels
c) Strong leadership
d) Military resources
Answer: b) Unity among rebels

22. What was the impact of the 1857 revolt on the Indian army?

a) Complete restructuring of the Indian army
b) Complete disbandment of the Indian army
c) Exclusion of Indians from the army
d) Increased recruitment of Indians in higher ranks
Answer: a) Complete restructuring of the Indian army

23. Which of the following regions saw the most intense fighting during the revolt?

a) Southern India
b) Central India
c) Western India
d) Eastern India
Answer: b) Central India

24. After the Revolt of 1857, the British followed a policy of __________ towards Indian princely states.

a) Aggression
b) Annexation
c) Conciliation
d) Exile
Answer: c) Conciliation

25. Who was the prominent Maratha leader who participated in the 1857 revolt?

a) Baji Rao II
b) Nana Sahib
c) Tantia Tope
d) Shivaji II
Answer: b) Nana Sahib

26. Which year marks the formal end of the East India Company’s rule in India?

a) 1858
b) 1877
c) 1857
d) 1885
Answer: a) 1858

27. Which queen’s proclamation announced the transfer of power from the East India Company to the British Crown?

a) Queen Elizabeth I
b) Queen Victoria
c) Queen Mary
d) Queen Anne
Answer: b) Queen Victoria

28. Which institution was established to provide legislative advisory to the British government after 1857?

a) Indian National Congress
b) Indian Councils Act
c) Board of Control
d) Provincial Councils
Answer: b) Indian Councils Act

29. Which of the following social groups largely stayed neutral during the revolt of 1857?

a) Peasants
b) Zamindars
c) Sepoys
d) Princes
Answer: b) Zamindars

30. What was one of the key legacies of the Revolt of 1857?

a) Rise of Indian nationalism
b) Formation of modern Indian military
c) The end of British rule in India
d) Division of Bengal
Answer: a) Rise of Indian nationalism