Class 12 History Chapter 10 Rebels And The Raj – NCERT Solutions

Exercise Solutions

1. Why did the mutinous sepoys in many places turn to erstwhile rulers to provide leadership to the revolt?

Answer: The mutinous sepoys turned to erstwhile rulers for leadership because these rulers had resources, legitimacy, and influence. Their leadership attracted local support, provided organizational strength, and gave the rebellion a sense of legitimacy and continuity with traditional authority.

2. Discuss the evidence that indicates planning and coordination on the part of the rebels.

Answer: Evidence includes communication between sepoy lines, circulation of messages and chapattis across villages, and almost simultaneous outbreaks in various cantonments. Sepoys and their emissaries moved from one station to another, indicating advanced planning and coordinated strategy among the rebels.

3. Discuss the extent to which religious beliefs shaped the events of 1857.

Answer: Religious beliefs shaped the revolt significantly. Sepoys believed British policies threatened their religions. Rumors about cartridge grease offending both Hindus and Muslims, fears about forced conversions, and prophecies pushed people to defend their faith and traditions, fueling widespread participation in the revolt.

4. What were the measures taken to ensure unity among the rebels?

Answer: Measures included appeals for Hindu-Muslim unity, proclamations emphasizing religious tolerance, removal of British-imposed restrictions, and the restoration of former rulers. Rebels avoided divisive actions, promoted solidarity, and forged alliances among different social and religious groups.

5. What steps did the British take to quell the uprising?

Answer: The British countered the uprising with military force, mass executions, and punitive measures. They used diplomacy to win over native rulers and communities, sought reinforcements from Britain and loyal Indian states, and captured or executed rebel leaders to suppress the rebellion.

Long Answer Questions

6. Why was the revolt particularly widespread in Awadh? What prompted the peasants, taluqdars and zamindars to join the revolt?

Answer: The revolt was particularly widespread in Awadh because British policies led to the annexation of the region and the dethronement of the Nawab, causing resentment among the populace.

The taluqdars and zamindars lost their hereditary rights and privileges due to the British revenue policies, while peasants suffered economic hardship and oppression. The loss of traditional leadership structures and disrespect for local customs and institutions further fueled their anger.

British policies undermined the authority of local leaders and destroyed traditional means of support. As a result, peasants, taluqdars, and zamindars saw the revolt as an opportunity to restore their status, recover their lands, and resist foreign domination, thus joining the uprising en masse.

7. What did the rebels want? To what extent did the vision of different social groups differ?

Answer: The rebels primarily wanted the end of British rule and the restoration of former Indian authorities. They aimed for religious freedom, reversal of exploitative laws, and protection of traditional privileges.

However, different social groups had differing visions—zamindars and taluqdars wanted their estates and privileges restored, peasants hoped for relief from oppressive taxes, and religious leaders wanted protection of their faith. Overall, while united in opposition to British rule, each group had ambitions reflecting its particular interests and grievances, leading to differences in their vision for post-revolt governance.

8. What do visual representations tell us about the revolt of 1857? How do historians analyse these representations?

Answer: Visual representations of the Revolt of 1857, such as paintings, engravings, and newspaper illustrations, show both British valor and Indian resistance. Many British artworks depict their soldiers as heroes and martyrdom of civilians, to justify repression and highlight British suffering.

Indian leaders like Rani Lakshmibai are often shown as valiant warriors. Historians analyze these images to uncover contemporary attitudes, propaganda, and constructed narratives about the revolt, contrasting them with textual evidence to understand both perspectives: that of the victors (British) and the vanquished (Indian rebels).

9. Examine any two sources presented in the chapter, choosing one visual and one text, and discuss how these represent the point of view of the victor and the vanquished.

Answer: One visual source, ‘Relief of Lucknow’ by Thomas Jones Barker, glorifies British military heroes, presenting them as saviors. It highlights British suffering and courage from a victor’s point of view.

A textual source like the Azamgarh Proclamation, on the other hand, reflects the rebels’ voice, outlining their grievances and vision for India free from British oppression. It presents the perspective of the vanquished, voicing local aspirations and anger. Together, these sources show contrasting narratives—British emphasis on heroism and justification versus Indian narratives of resistance and hope.

Map work

10. On an outline map of India, mark Calcutta (Kolkata), Bombay (Mumbai) and Madras (Chennai), three major centres of British power in 1857. Plot the areas where the revolt was most widespread. How close or far were these areas from the colonial cities?

Calcutta (Kolkata), Bombay (Mumbai), and Madras (Chennai) were the main British centers in 1857. The revolt was most widespread in northern and central India—Delhi, Awadh (Lucknow), Kanpur, Jhansi, Gwalior, and Bihar. These regions were relatively far from the colonial cities, showing that the rebellion was mainly in the interior, while the port cities remained under strong British control.

Project Work (Choose One)

11. Read a biography of any one of the leaders of the revolt of 1857. Check the sources used by the biographer. Do these include government reports, newspaper accounts, stories in regional languages, visual material, anything else? Do all the sources say the same thing, or are there differences? Prepare a report on your findings.

12. See a film made on the revolt of 1857 and write about the way it represents the revolt. How does it depict the British, the rebels, and those who remained loyal to the British? What does it say about peasants, city dwellers, tribals, zamindars and taluqdars? What kind of a response does the film seek to evoke?

Understanding NCERT Solutions for Class 12 History Chapter 10 – Rebels And The Raj

Delving into NCERT Solutions Class 12 History Chapter 10 Rebels And The Raj helps students grasp the complex events of the 1857 revolt. Clear explanations and structured answers make it easier to tackle exam questions confidently and build strong conceptual understanding.

Regularly reviewing important events and leaders ensures you understand every angle of the revolt. Focus on key concepts such as causes of the uprising, unity among the rebels, and the British response for better performance in the 2025-26 exams.

Practice writing clear, concise answers to all NCERT questions. Consistent preparation with chapter exercises boosts your confidence, strengthens memory, and improves your scores in History exams.