Q1. Choose the appropriate option.

a) In Jhansi, the uprising was bravely led by _____________.

• i) Rani Lakshmibai
• ii) Begum Hazrat Mahal
• iii) Nawab Wajid Ali Shah
• iv) Kunwar Singh

Answer: Rani Lakshmibai

b) _____________, the young son of Begum Hazrat Mahal was proclaimed as the new Nawab of Awadh.

• i) Bahadur Shah Zafar
• ii) Nawab Wajid Ali Shah
• iii) Birjis Qadr
• iv) Azimullah

Answer: Birjis Qadr

c) Bakht Khan was a soldier from _____________.

• i) Jhansi
• ii) Faizabad
• iii) Gwalior
• iv) Bareilly

Answer: Bareilly

d) By the end of _____________ the British regained their control over the country.

• i) 1859
• ii) 1857
• iii) 1862
• iv) 1858

Answer: 1859

Q2. Assertion and Reason

a) Assertion (A): The Great Uprising of 1857 was a culmination of several factors.
Reason (R): The British followed several ruthlessly exploitative policies.

Answer: Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation for (A).

b) Assertion (A): Indian sepoys refused to travel by sea to fight in foreign lands.
Reason (R): They were afraid of water.

Answer: (A) is true but (R) is false.

Q3. Match the following

Column A	Column B
a) Bakht Khan	i) Lucknow
b) Begum Hazrat Mahal	ii) Bareilly
c) Kunwar Singh	iii) Kanpur
d) Nana Saheb	iv) Arrah

Answer:
a) Bakht Khan – Bareilly
b) Begum Hazrat Mahal – Lucknow
c) Kunwar Singh – Arrah
d) Nana Saheb – Kanpur

Q4. Answer the questions in 10 to 20 words.

a) What is bhatta?

Answer: Bhatta was the extra pay given to sepoys when they served in foreign territories.

b) Who was Mangal Pandey?

Answer: Mangal Pandey was a sepoy who played a key role in the revolt of 1857 at Barrackpore.

c) Name the major centres of the Great Uprising of 1857.

Answer: Delhi, Kanpur, Lucknow, Jhansi, Bareilly, Arrah, and Gwalior.

d) Name the rulers who supported the British in suppressing the Great Uprising of 1857.

Answer: Rulers of Patiala, Hyderabad, Gwalior, and Kashmir supported the British.

e) Who was the king of Khurda during the uprising of 1817?

Answer: Buxi Jagabandhu led the Khurda uprising in 1817 against the British.

f) What was the General Service Enlistment Act, 1856?

Answer: This Act made it compulsory for Indian soldiers to serve overseas if required.

Q5. Answer the questions in 100 to 150 words.

a) What were the causes of discontent among the ruling families?

Answer: The British annexation policies such as the Doctrine of Lapse created deep resentment among Indian rulers. Kings like Nana Saheb, Rani Lakshmibai, and Bahadur Shah Zafar were deprived of their kingdoms or privileges. Many rulers lost their jagirs, pensions, and rights to succession. The annexation of Awadh in 1856 hurt both nobles and common people. Indian rulers feared losing their traditional authority, and this widespread discontent laid the foundation for revolt.

b) How did the British hurt the religious sentiments of the sepoys?

Answer: The British introduced practices that directly interfered with the religious beliefs of sepoys. The Enfield rifle cartridges greased with cow and pig fat were seen as a direct insult to Hindu and Muslim faiths. The General Service Enlistment Act forced sepoys to travel overseas, which was against Hindu religious customs. Additionally, the perception of forced conversions to Christianity further angered them. These acts created a sense of mistrust and were one of the main triggers of the revolt.

c) What were the factors responsible for the failure of the Great Uprising of 1857?

Answer: The uprising failed due to many reasons. Firstly, it lacked central leadership, and different leaders fought separately. Secondly, many Indian rulers and princes supported the British instead of the rebels. Thirdly, the rebels lacked modern weapons and proper organisation compared to the British. Communication gaps and limited financial resources further weakened the revolt. Finally, the superior military strength and resources of the British helped them suppress the uprising by 1859.

d) What were the results of the Great Uprising of 1857?

Answer: The revolt marked a turning point in Indian history. Though it failed, it ended the rule of the East India Company. The British Crown took direct control of India through the Government of India Act of 1858. The policy of annexation was stopped, and Indian princes were assured that their territories would not be annexed. The army was reorganised to reduce reliance on Indians. However, the revolt also led to harsher racial discrimination and distrust between Indians and the British.

e) Discuss the role of Buxi Jagabandhu in the Khurda Uprising.

Answer: Buxi Jagabandhu led the Paikas of Khurda in Odisha in the revolt of 1817 against the British. The uprising was sparked by the confiscation of rent-free lands given to Jagabandhu and his followers. He mobilised peasants, tribals, and zamindars to fight against unjust British policies. Though the revolt was suppressed, his leadership became a symbol of resistance in Odisha. He inspired future generations to resist British oppression.

f) Describe the suppression of the Great Uprising of 1857.

Answer: The revolt was suppressed brutally by the British. Delhi was recaptured after fierce fighting, and Bahadur Shah Zafar was exiled to Rangoon. Rani Lakshmibai died fighting bravely in Jhansi, Nana Saheb fled to Nepal, and Kunwar Singh continued resistance until his death. The British carried out mass executions, destroyed villages, and punished civilians suspected of helping rebels. By 1859, the revolt was completely crushed, leaving behind deep scars but also igniting the spirit of nationalism among Indians.

Q6. Give Reasons

a) Delhi was transformed into the centre of the Great Uprising of 1857.

Answer: Delhi became the rallying point for the rebels after Bahadur Shah Zafar was declared the leader of the uprising. Sepoys marched to Delhi and sought his leadership, which gave the revolt a symbolic and unifying figure. Delhi’s historical significance and political importance made it the central hub of the rebellion.

b) By the end of 1859, the British introduced reforms to their administrative set-up in India.

Answer: After the revolt, the British realised the need to change their policies. They abolished the Doctrine of Lapse, promised not to interfere in social and religious matters, and assured loyalty to Indian princes. The army was reorganised to strengthen British control. These reforms were aimed at preventing future revolts and maintaining stability in India.

Q7

How far do you think effective leadership from the Indians would have proved fruitful in uprooting British rule?

Answer: Effective leadership could have significantly changed the outcome of the revolt. The uprising lacked a single strong leader to unite the entire country. If there had been coordinated leadership, with better planning and modern weapons, the rebels could have posed a stronger challenge to the British. Unity among rulers, sepoys, peasants, and tribals under one command might have prolonged the revolt and weakened British control. Though success was uncertain due to British military superiority, effective leadership would definitely have made the struggle more impactful.