Q1. The cause for the immediate precipitation of the Sepoy Mutiny was
(a) Use of cartridges greased with cow fat
(b) Doctrine of Lapse
(c) The disparity between salaries of Native Sepoys and the British Soldiers
(d) The Spread of Christianity
(UPSC Prelims 1979)
Answer: (a) Use of cartridges greased with cow fat
Explanation: The introduction of Enfield rifle cartridges, rumored to be greased with cow and pig fat, offended both Hindu and Muslim religious sentiments, triggering the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny. This issue became the spark for widespread rebellion against British rule.
Q2. The personality who is not connected with 1857 mutiny is
(a) Bhagat Singh
(b) Lakshmibai
(c) Tantia Tope
(d) Nana Saheb
(UPSC Prelims 1982)
Answer: (a)
Explanation: Bhagat Singh was a revolutionary active during the freedom movement in the 1920s, not during the 1857 revolt. The others—Lakshmibai, Tantia Tope, and Nana Saheb—were prominent leaders in the First War of Independence.
Q3. Assertion (A): The revolt of 1857 failed.
Reason (R): It lacked adequate organisation and military power.
(a) Both A and R are correct but R is not the correct explanation of A
(b) A is correct but R is incorrect
(c) A is incorrect but R is correct
(d) Both A and R are correct and R is correct explanation of A
(UPSC Prelims 1984)
Answer: (d) Both A and R are correct and R is correct explanation of A
Explanation: The 1857 revolt failed due to poor coordination, lack of central leadership, and inferior military resources compared to the British. These factors directly explain the failure, making both the assertion and reason valid and connected.
Q4. Sepoy mutiny of 1857 failed due to the
(a) Lack of effective organisation
(b) Lack of unity of purpose
(c) Lack of unified system of leadership
(d) All of the above
(UPSC Prelims 1985)
Answer: (d) All of the above
Explanation:
The 1857 revolt, also called the First War of Independence, failed due to multiple reasons:
- Poor organization
- Lack of coordination among rebels
- Absence of a central leadership
- These factors led to its eventual suppression by the British.
Q5. Assertion (A): The First War of Indian Independence started in 1857.
Reason (R): The soldiers refused to use the greased cartridges.
(a) if A and R both are correct and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) if A and R both are correct but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) if A is incorrect but R is correct
(d) if A is correct but R is incorrect
(UPSC Prelims 1985)
Answer: (a) if A and R both are correct and R is the correct explanation of A
Explanation: The 1857 revolt began due to the introduction of greased cartridges, which offended religious sentiments. This was the immediate trigger, making both the assertion and reason valid and connected.