Q1. Which of the following British policies was the primary political grievance that alienated numerous Indian princes leading up to the Revolt of 1857?
Revolt of 1857: RAS Prelims MCQs
12 RAS Prelims MCQs on the Revolt of 1857 test the political grievances, the centres of revolt and the leaders. The Doctrine of Lapse, the annexation of Jhansi, the order in which the revolt broke out at different centres and the roles of Khan Bahadur Khan and Kunwar Singh are asked as facts and sequences.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 1–10 of 12 questions
Q2. Identify the incorrect statement regarding the economic causes of the Revolt of 1857.
Explanation
British economic policies focused on turning India into a supplier of raw materials and a consumer of finished goods. Heavy duties were imposed on Indian textile exports to Britain, while British manufactured products entered India with minimal tariffs. This imbalance destroyed indigenous handicraft industries and traditional livelihoods, causing widespread poverty and unemployment among artisans and the rural peasantry.
Q3. Read the following statements and select the correct option.
Statement I: The General Service Enlistment Act of 1856 caused great resentment among the high-caste Hindu sepoys.
Statement II: The Act mandated that all future recruits to the Bengal Army had to serve anywhere the British government required, including overseas.
Statement I: The General Service Enlistment Act of 1856 caused great resentment among the high-caste Hindu sepoys.
Statement II: The Act mandated that all future recruits to the Bengal Army had to serve anywhere the British government required, including overseas.
Explanation
The General Service Enlistment Act mandated that all new recruits must serve wherever the government required, including overseas. High-caste Hindu sepoys viewed crossing the ocean as a violation of religious taboos, leading to the loss of their caste. This legislative change created significant fear and anger within the Bengal Army, contributing to the eventual military rebellion.
Q4. In the context of religious causes, what was the primary impact of the Religious Disabilities Act (Lex Loci Act) of 1850?
Explanation
The Religious Disabilities Act allowed Hindu converts to Christianity to inherit their ancestral property, which was previously prohibited by traditional customs. This law was perceived as a direct British attempt to facilitate religious conversions by removing legal and financial barriers. It deeply offended orthodox sentiments and fueled fears that the British intended to dismantle the existing social and religious order.
Q5. Consider the following statements regarding the military grievances before the Revolt of 1857:
I. Indian sepoys were denied the foreign service allowance (bhatta) when serving in newly annexed territories like Sindh.
II. The Post Office Act of 1854 withdrew the privilege of free postage previously enjoyed by the sepoys.
III. Indian sepoys were eligible for promotion up to the rank of Brigadier General.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. Indian sepoys were denied the foreign service allowance (bhatta) when serving in newly annexed territories like Sindh.
II. The Post Office Act of 1854 withdrew the privilege of free postage previously enjoyed by the sepoys.
III. Indian sepoys were eligible for promotion up to the rank of Brigadier General.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Indian sepoys faced several military grievances, including the withdrawal of the foreign service allowance or bhatta when serving in newly conquered territories like Sindh. Additionally, the Post Office Act ended the privilege of free postage. While they held significant responsibilities, sepoys were systematically denied higher promotions, which were reserved exclusively for British officers, causing deep professional resentment.
Q6. Consider the following statements regarding the siege of Lucknow:
I. The British Resident, Sir Henry Lawrence, was killed during the siege of the Residency.
II. Begum Hazrat Mahal declared her minor son Birjis Qadir as the Nawab.
III. The Gurkha regiments under Jung Bahadur refused to assist the British in recapturing Lucknow.
IV. General Havelock and Sir James Outram successfully evacuated all British citizens without a fight in June 1857.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
I. The British Resident, Sir Henry Lawrence, was killed during the siege of the Residency.
II. Begum Hazrat Mahal declared her minor son Birjis Qadir as the Nawab.
III. The Gurkha regiments under Jung Bahadur refused to assist the British in recapturing Lucknow.
IV. General Havelock and Sir James Outram successfully evacuated all British citizens without a fight in June 1857.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
The defense of the Lucknow Residency was a critical event where Sir Henry Lawrence lost his life. During the siege, the local population and sepoys proclaimed Birjis Qadir as the Nawab. Contrary to some reports, Jung Bahadur of Nepal actively assisted the British with Gurkha troops, and the initial relief efforts by Havelock and Outram involved heavy fighting.
Q7. The annexation of Jhansi, which fueled Rani Lakshmibai’s resentment, occurred under the Doctrine of Lapse in which year?
Explanation
The state of Jhansi was annexed in 1853 following the death of Gangadhar Rao. Lord Dalhousie applied the Doctrine of Lapse to seize the territory, arguing that the adopted heir could not legally inherit the princely throne. This act of annexation turned Rani Lakshmibai into a fierce opponent of British rule, eventually leading her to lead the rebellion.
Q8. What was the most appropriate reason for Rani Lakshmibai joining the revolt against the British?
Explanation
Rani Lakshmibai’s primary motivation for joining the uprising was the British refusal to recognize her adopted son, Damodar Rao, as the rightful successor to the Jhansi throne. The application of the Doctrine of Lapse resulted in the annexation of her kingdom and the loss of her sovereign status. She fought primarily to regain her territory and defend her rights.
Q9. Select the correct chronological sequence of the outbreak of the 1857 revolt at the following centres:
Explanation
The initial spark of the revolt occurred at Barrackpore in March 1857 with Mangal Pandey’s defiance. This was followed by the large-scale outbreak at Meerut on May 10. The Meerut mutineers then captured Delhi on May 11, declaring the Mughal Emperor as their leader. The movement subsequently spread to other major centers, including Lucknow, by late May and June.
Q10. Khan Bahadur Khan, who established a stronghold and strongly resisted the British forces during the 1857 Revolt, belonged to which region?
Explanation
Khan Bahadur Khan was the grandson of the former ruler of Rohilkhand and emerged as a prominent leader in Bareilly. During the 1857 uprising, he organized a strong administration and commanded a significant rebel force that resisted British attempts to regain control. His leadership in the Rohilkhand region was characterized by effective mobilization of both soldiers and the public.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 1 | (b) Doctrine of Lapse |
| 2 | (a) The British tariff policy severely restricted the import of British manufactured goods into India. |
| 3 | (a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I. |
| 4 | (d) It allowed Christian converts to inherit ancestral property despite existing customs. |
| 5 | (a) I and II only |
| 6 | (b) III and IV only |
| 7 | (c) 1853 |
| 8 | (b) British refusal to recognize her adopted son as the legitimate heir to Jhansi. |
| 9 | (a) Barrackpore, Meerut, Delhi, Lucknow |
| 10 | (c) Rohilkhand |
Key facts from Revolt of 1857
- The Doctrine of Lapse was the main political grievance that alienated many Indian princes.
- Jhansi was annexed under the Doctrine of Lapse in 1853; Rani Lakshmibai joined the revolt after the British refused to recognise her adopted son as heir.
- The revolt broke out at Barrackpore, Meerut, Delhi and Lucknow in that order.
- Khan Bahadur Khan led the resistance in Rohilkhand.
- Kunwar Singh, an octogenarian zamindar of Bihar, fought a brilliant guerrilla war against the British.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Revolt of 1857?
This page has 12 practice MCQs on Revolt of 1857 (Modern Indian History). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
What was the Doctrine of Lapse?
A British policy under which a princely state without a natural male heir would pass to the Company, and an adopted heir would not be recognised. It angered many rulers, and the annexations of Satara, Jhansi and Nagpur are among the causes of 1857.
Why did Rani Lakshmibai join the revolt?
The British refused to recognise her adopted son as the heir of Jhansi and annexed the state in 1853 under the Doctrine of Lapse. This personal and political grievance drew her into the revolt of 1857.
Who was Kunwar Singh?
An aged zamindar of Jagdishpur in Bihar who led a skilful guerrilla campaign against the British in 1857-58. He remained unbeaten until his death, and he is among the best-known leaders of the revolt in eastern India.