Revolt of 1857

Choose the Correct Answer

Correct Answer : Option a

Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: The storm-centres of the Revolt of 1857 were at Delhi, Kanpur, Lucknow, Bareilly, Jhansi, and Arrah in Bihar. At Delhi the nominal and symbol of leadership belonged to the Emperor Bahadur Shah, but the real command lay with a Court of Soldiers headed by General Bakht Khan who had led the revolt of the Bareilly troops and brought them to Delhi.

Statement 2 is not correct: At Kanpur(and not Lucknow) the Revolt was led by Nana Sahib, the adopted son of Baji Rao II, the last Peshwa. Nana Sahib expelled the English from Kanpur with the help of the sepoys and proclaimed himself the Peshwa. At the same time he acknowledged Bahadur Shah as the Emperor of India and declared himself to be his Governor.

Statement 3 is not correct: The Emperor Bahadur Shah was perhaps the weakest link in the chain of leadership of the Revolt, He was not firm even in his support of the Revolt. He had little genuine sympathy for the humble sepoys who in turn did not trust him fully. He was angered by the assertion of authority by the leaders of the sepoys. He was declared the symbolic leader of the revolt by the rebels, but he did not provide active central leadership. His role was largely ceremonial, as the rebellion lacked effective centralized command and coordination.