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

NCERT Solutions Class 12 History Chapter 10 Rebels And The Raj (2025-26)

Answer the following questions in about 30 words.

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

Answer: The mutinous sepoys sought erstwhile rulers’ leadership because these rulers had resources, local popularity, credibility, and traditional authority. Their involvement gave the rebellion legitimacy and helped unify diverse groups against the British, making the revolt appear as a restoration of former Indian rule.

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

Answer: Evidence of planning includes communication between sepoy lines, identical patterns of attack in different towns, and emissaries moving between stations. Proclamations were issued in multiple languages, and there were coordinated attacks on government buildings and British establishments across various centres.

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

Answer: Religious sentiments played a major role—rumours of greased cartridges offended both Hindus and Muslims and united them against the British. Proclamations appealed to all faiths, while religious customs and prophecies fuelled unity and action in the rebellion.

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

Answer: Rebels called for Hindu-Muslim unity in proclamations and appeals, shared religious and social grievances, and targeted common oppressors. Leaders emerged from different backgrounds, and symbols/rituals of both religions were respected to maintain unity and cooperation.

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

Answer: The British passed repressive laws, imposed martial law, used military force, and adopted a divide-and-rule strategy. They rewarded loyalists, suppressed rebels through harsh punishments, and systematically reconquered rebel territories to re-establish control.

Answer the following questions in about 150 words.

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

Answer: The revolt was widespread in Awadh due to recent British annexation, loss of royal authority, economic hardships, and increased revenue demands. The British dispossessed taluqdars, destroyed their forts, and cut their social influence. Peasants faced growing demands and harsh new settlements, while zamindars were removed from their hereditary lands. The combined anger at the loss of economic, political, and social positions inspired people of different classes—peasants, taluqdars, and zamindars—to unite against British rule.

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

Answer: The rebels aimed to remove British rule and restore old social orders. While sepoys generally fought to protect religious faith and traditional privileges, peasants and taluqdars wanted old land rights and reduced taxes, and displaced rulers sought political restoration. Merchants and artisans wanted to revive trade and professions disrupted by colonial policies. While united against the British, each group’s vision was shaped by its specific interests and grievances, leading to some differences in their goals.

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

Answer: Visual representations reveal how the British and Indians perceived and narrated the revolt. British artists emphasized images of heroic rescue, suffering women, vengeance, and retribution, shaping public opinion about the rebels as violent. Nationalist images, on the other hand, celebrated resistance. Historians analyze these sources critically, understanding their context, purpose, and audience, and comparing them with textual and oral records to understand the multiplicity of viewpoints.

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: A visual source like ‘Relief of Lucknow’ by Thomas Jones Barker portrays the British as heroic saviours, emphasizing their courage and selflessness, reflecting the victor’s viewpoint. A textual source like the Azamgarh Proclamation shows the rebels’ perspective—calling for Hindu-Muslim unity and restoration of old order, highlighting grievances and aspirations of the vanquished. Each represents its side’s interpretation of the events, aims, and legitimacy.

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. Refer to Maps 1 and 2 and plot the areas where the revolt was most widespread. How close or far were these areas from the colonial cities?

Answer: Calcutta (Kolkata), Bombay (Mumbai), and Madras (Chennai) should be marked in eastern, western, and southern India, respectively. The revolt was most widespread in northern and central India—Delhi, Meerut, Kanpur, Lucknow, Jhansi, Bareilly, and Awadh. These centres were far from the main colonial cities, indicating the core of rebellion lay outside the big British-ruled capitals.

Projects (choose one):

• Read a biography of any one leader of the revolt of 1857 and analyze the sources used by the biographer. Prepare a report on whether all sources offer a similar portrayal or show differences.
• Watch a film based on the revolt of 1857 and write about its representation. Analyze depictions of the British, rebels, loyalists, and different social classes, and discuss the response the film aims 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.