Ans: A

Exp:

Statement 1 is correct: Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi was a key leader and prominent figure in the 1857 revolt against the British. She played a significant role in leading the rebellion in Jhansi and became an icon of the Struggle for Indian independence.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Bahadur Shah II, the last Mughal emperor, did not play an active role in leading the revolt and uniting various rebel forces. Although he was declared the leader of the Revolt of 1857 and issued a proclamation against the British, his involvement was largely symbolic and limited to the symbolic restoration of Mughal authority.

Ans: C

Exp:

Religious Hindus of the 19th century, considered crossing the seas as loss of caste. In 1856, Lord Canning’s government passed the General Service Enlistment Act, which decreed that all future recruits to the Bengal Army would have to give an undertaking to serve anywhere their services might be required by the government. This caused resentment, which later culminated into a full-blown sepoy mutiny in 1857. So the General Service Enlistment Act of 1856 was one of the causes of the 1857 mutiny by the soldiers.

Ans: B

Exp:

The Indian Rebellion of 1857, often referred to as the Indian Mutiny or the First War of Indian Independence, was a major uprising against British colonial rule in India. The revolt began in Meerut on May 10, 1857, and quickly spread to various parts of the country. 

Pair 1 is correct: The British garrison at Kanpur faced a rebellion led by Nana Sahib, the adopted son of the exiled Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao II. 

Pair 2 is correct: At Bareilly, Khan Bahadur, a descendant of the former ruler of Rohilkhand, was placed in command. He organised an army of 40,000 soldiers and offered stiff resistance to the British

Pair 3 is incorrect: Kunwar Singh, a Rajput leader from Bihar, joined the rebellion and played a key role in leading the revolt in the region.

Pair 4 is incorrect: Shah Mal, a local villager in Pargana Baraut (Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh), organised the headmen and peasants of 84 villages (referred to as chaurasi desh), marching at night from village to village, urging people to rebel against the British hegemony.

Ans: A     

Exp:

Statement 1 is incorrect: Dayananda Saraswati founder of Arya Samaj, strongly criticised the escapist Hindu belief of Maya (illusion) as the running theme of all physical existence and the aim of human life as a struggle to attain moksha (salvation) through escape from this evil world to seek union with God. Instead, he advocated that God, soul and matter (prakriti) were distinct and eternal entities and every individual had to work out his own salvation in the light of the eternal principles governing human conduct. 

Statement 2 is correct: Dev Samaj was founded in 1887 at Lahore by Shiv Narayan Agnihotri, earlier a Brahmo follower. The society emphasised on the eternity of the soul, the supremacy of the guru, and the need for good action. It called for ideal social behaviour such as not accepting bribes, avoiding intoxicants & non-vegetarian food, and keeping oneself away from violent actions. 

Statement 3 is incorrect: Ramakrishna Mission was founded in 1897 by Vivekananda. The Mission stood for religious and social reform, humanitarian relief and social work. Unlike the Arya Samaj, the Mission recognises the utility and value of image worship in developing spiritual fervour and worship of the eternal omnipotent God, although it emphasises on the essential spirit and not the symbols or rituals. 

Ans: D

Exp:

Statement 1 is incorrect: During the late 1820s, there emerged a radical, intellectual trend among the youth in Bengal, which came to be known as the ‘Young Bengal Movement’ led by  Henry Vivian Derozio. Drawing inspiration from the great French Revolution, Derozio inspired his pupils to think freely and rationally, question all authority, love liberty, equality and freedom, and oppose decadent customs and traditions. However this movement had its own limitations such as Derozians lacked any real link with the masses; for instance, they failed to take up the peasants’ cause. 

Statement 2  is incorrect: Ahmadiyya Movement was founded by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad in 1889. It was based on liberal principles. It described itself as the standard-bearer of Mohammedan Renaissance, and based itself, like the Brahmo Samaj, on the principles of Universal religion of all humanity, opposing jihad (sacred war against non-Muslims). The movement spread Western liberal education among the Indian Muslims. 

Statement 3  is incorrect: The Theosophical Movement was led by Madame H.P. Blavatsky (1831- 1891) and Colonel M.S. Olcott, who were inspired by Indian thought and culture.  The society believed that a special relationship could be established between a person’s soul and God by contemplation, prayer, revelation, etc. It accepted the Hindu beliefs in reincarnation and karma, and drew inspiration from the philosophy of the Upanishads and samkhya, yoga and Vedanta schools of thought.