Comprehension
Read the passage and answer the question:
1857: Shah Mal
Shah Mal lived in a large village in Uttar Pradesh. He belonged to a clan of Jat cultivators whose kinship ties extended over chaurasee des. The lands in the region were irrigated and fertile, with rich dark loam soil. Many of the villagers were prosperous and saw the British land revenue system as oppressive: the revenue demand was high and its collection inflexible. Consequently cultivators were losing land to outsiders, to traders and moneylenders who were coming into the area. Shah Mal mobilised the headmen and cultivators of chaurasee des, moving at night from village to village, urging people to rebel against the British. As in many other places, the revolt against the British turned into a general rebellion against all signs of oppression and injustice. Cultivators left their fields and plundered the houses of moneylenders and traders. Displaced proprietors took possession of the lands they had lost. Shah Mal's men attacked government buildings, destroyed the bridge over the river, and dug up metalled roads. They sent supplies to the sepoys who had mutinied in Delhi and stopped all official communication between British headquarters and Meerut. Locally acknowledged as the Raja, Shah Mal took over the bungalow of an English officer, turned it into a “hall of justice”, settling disputes and dispensing judgments. He also set up an amazingly effective network of intelligence. For a period the people of the area felt that firangi raj was over, and their raj had come. Shah Mal was killed in battle in July 1857.
1857: Shah Mal
Shah Mal lived in a large village in Uttar Pradesh. He belonged to a clan of Jat cultivators whose kinship ties extended over chaurasee des. The lands in the region were irrigated and fertile, with rich dark loam soil. Many of the villagers were prosperous and saw the British land revenue system as oppressive: the revenue demand was high and its collection inflexible. Consequently cultivators were losing land to outsiders, to traders and moneylenders who were coming into the area. Shah Mal mobilised the headmen and cultivators of chaurasee des, moving at night from village to village, urging people to rebel against the British. As in many other places, the revolt against the British turned into a general rebellion against all signs of oppression and injustice. Cultivators left their fields and plundered the houses of moneylenders and traders. Displaced proprietors took possession of the lands they had lost. Shah Mal's men attacked government buildings, destroyed the bridge over the river, and dug up metalled roads. They sent supplies to the sepoys who had mutinied in Delhi and stopped all official communication between British headquarters and Meerut. Locally acknowledged as the Raja, Shah Mal took over the bungalow of an English officer, turned it into a “hall of justice”, settling disputes and dispensing judgments. He also set up an amazingly effective network of intelligence. For a period the people of the area felt that firangi raj was over, and their raj had come. Shah Mal was killed in battle in July 1857.
Question: 1
Shah Mal belonged to which pargana in Uttar Pradesh?
Shah Mal belonged to which pargana in Uttar Pradesh?
Show Hint
Remember Shah Mal with Barout pargana in western Uttar Pradesh.
His story illustrates how the 1857 uprising became a broader rural rebellion against revenue pressure, moneylenders, and colonial authority.
Link Shah Mal with village mobilisation, disruption of British communications, and local administration.
His story illustrates how the 1857 uprising became a broader rural rebellion against revenue pressure, moneylenders, and colonial authority.
Link Shah Mal with village mobilisation, disruption of British communications, and local administration.
Updated On: Sep 14, 2026
- Barout
- Chinhat
- Bardoli
- Awadh
Show Solution
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Concept:
Shah Mal was one of the local leaders who participated in the uprising of 1857 in the region of western Uttar Pradesh.
His leadership demonstrates how the revolt developed into a broader rural rebellion involving cultivators, village headmen, displaced proprietors, and other groups affected by colonial revenue policies.
Step 1: Locating Shah Mal's Area of Activity:
Shah Mal lived in a large village in Uttar Pradesh and belonged to a Jat cultivator clan whose kinship connections extended across a wide rural area.
His activities were concentrated around the Barout pargana.
The fertile and irrigated lands of this region supported prosperous cultivators, but the high and inflexible British revenue demand generated considerable resentment.
Step 2: Understanding the Rural Grievances:
The colonial revenue system created pressure on cultivators because revenue demands remained high even when circumstances made payment difficult.
Cultivators could lose land to traders and moneylenders when they were unable to meet their obligations.
These economic grievances contributed to the transformation of the revolt into a wider challenge to colonial authority.
Step 3: Understanding Shah Mal's Leadership:
Shah Mal travelled from village to village at night and mobilised village headmen and cultivators.
His followers attacked government buildings, disrupted official communications, and damaged roads and bridges that represented British authority.
He also created a local system of justice and intelligence.
Step 4: Evaluating the Options:
Chinhat was associated with important events of the 1857 uprising in Awadh and is not the pargana identified with Shah Mal.
Bardoli became famous for the later peasant movement led by Vallabhbhai Patel.
Awadh was a major region of the 1857 rebellion but is not the specific pargana asked for here.
Final Answer:
Therefore, the correct answer is (A) Barout.
Shah Mal was one of the local leaders who participated in the uprising of 1857 in the region of western Uttar Pradesh.
His leadership demonstrates how the revolt developed into a broader rural rebellion involving cultivators, village headmen, displaced proprietors, and other groups affected by colonial revenue policies.
Step 1: Locating Shah Mal's Area of Activity:
Shah Mal lived in a large village in Uttar Pradesh and belonged to a Jat cultivator clan whose kinship connections extended across a wide rural area.
His activities were concentrated around the Barout pargana.
The fertile and irrigated lands of this region supported prosperous cultivators, but the high and inflexible British revenue demand generated considerable resentment.
Step 2: Understanding the Rural Grievances:
The colonial revenue system created pressure on cultivators because revenue demands remained high even when circumstances made payment difficult.
Cultivators could lose land to traders and moneylenders when they were unable to meet their obligations.
These economic grievances contributed to the transformation of the revolt into a wider challenge to colonial authority.
Step 3: Understanding Shah Mal's Leadership:
Shah Mal travelled from village to village at night and mobilised village headmen and cultivators.
His followers attacked government buildings, disrupted official communications, and damaged roads and bridges that represented British authority.
He also created a local system of justice and intelligence.
Step 4: Evaluating the Options:
Chinhat was associated with important events of the 1857 uprising in Awadh and is not the pargana identified with Shah Mal.
Bardoli became famous for the later peasant movement led by Vallabhbhai Patel.
Awadh was a major region of the 1857 rebellion but is not the specific pargana asked for here.
Final Answer:
Therefore, the correct answer is (A) Barout.
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Question: 2
Cultivators revolted against the British because:
Cultivators revolted against the British because:
Show Hint
In passage-based questions, always rely on the exact cause stated in the passage.
Here, the key phrases are “high revenue demand” and “inflexible collection”.
The fertile condition of the land rules out options based on poor soil or lack of agricultural productivity.
Here, the key phrases are “high revenue demand” and “inflexible collection”.
The fertile condition of the land rules out options based on poor soil or lack of agricultural productivity.
Updated On: Sep 14, 2026
- The lands in the region were not fertile
- British land revenue system was considered just and based on correct revenue demands
- Villagers were poor and drought-stricken
- British land revenue system was considered oppressive due to high revenue demands
Show Solution
Verified By Collegedunia
The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
Concept:
The passage explains that the rural population involved in the 1857 uprising had specific economic grievances against British revenue policies.
The rebellion was not simply the result of poverty or environmental hardship but was closely connected with the colonial system of land revenue collection.
Step 1: Examining the Condition of the Land:
The passage explicitly describes the lands of the region as irrigated and fertile.
The soil was rich and dark, indicating that lack of agricultural fertility was not the main reason for the revolt.
Therefore, option (A) is inconsistent with the passage.
Step 2: Examining the Revenue System:
The villagers regarded the British land revenue system as oppressive.
The revenue demand was high, while its collection was described as inflexible.
This meant that cultivators faced considerable pressure to meet the government's demand regardless of their individual circumstances.
Step 3: Understanding the Consequences:
Because cultivators struggled under the revenue system, some lost their land to outsiders, traders, and moneylenders.
This resulted in a direct threat to their economic security and encouraged wider resistance to British rule.
The revolt therefore had a strong economic and agrarian dimension.
Step 4: Eliminating the Other Options:
Option (B) is incorrect because the system was perceived as oppressive, not just.
Option (C) is also incorrect because the passage does not identify drought or general poverty as the primary cause.
The central grievance was the high and inflexible revenue demand.
Final Answer:
Therefore, the correct answer is (D) British land revenue system was considered oppressive due to high revenue demands.
The passage explains that the rural population involved in the 1857 uprising had specific economic grievances against British revenue policies.
The rebellion was not simply the result of poverty or environmental hardship but was closely connected with the colonial system of land revenue collection.
Step 1: Examining the Condition of the Land:
The passage explicitly describes the lands of the region as irrigated and fertile.
The soil was rich and dark, indicating that lack of agricultural fertility was not the main reason for the revolt.
Therefore, option (A) is inconsistent with the passage.
Step 2: Examining the Revenue System:
The villagers regarded the British land revenue system as oppressive.
The revenue demand was high, while its collection was described as inflexible.
This meant that cultivators faced considerable pressure to meet the government's demand regardless of their individual circumstances.
Step 3: Understanding the Consequences:
Because cultivators struggled under the revenue system, some lost their land to outsiders, traders, and moneylenders.
This resulted in a direct threat to their economic security and encouraged wider resistance to British rule.
The revolt therefore had a strong economic and agrarian dimension.
Step 4: Eliminating the Other Options:
Option (B) is incorrect because the system was perceived as oppressive, not just.
Option (C) is also incorrect because the passage does not identify drought or general poverty as the primary cause.
The central grievance was the high and inflexible revenue demand.
Final Answer:
Therefore, the correct answer is (D) British land revenue system was considered oppressive due to high revenue demands.
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Question: 3
Arrange the following events in a chronological order:
A. Shah Mal was killed in battle in July 1857.
B. Cultivators left their fields and plundered the houses of moneylenders and traders.
C. Shah Mal moved at night from village to village, urging people to rebel against the British.
D. Shah Mal's men stopped all official communication between British headquarters and Meerut.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Arrange the following events in a chronological order:
A. Shah Mal was killed in battle in July 1857.
B. Cultivators left their fields and plundered the houses of moneylenders and traders.
C. Shah Mal moved at night from village to village, urging people to rebel against the British.
D. Shah Mal's men stopped all official communication between British headquarters and Meerut.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
A. Shah Mal was killed in battle in July 1857.
B. Cultivators left their fields and plundered the houses of moneylenders and traders.
C. Shah Mal moved at night from village to village, urging people to rebel against the British.
D. Shah Mal's men stopped all official communication between British headquarters and Meerut.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Show Hint
For passage chronology, identify the beginning, middle actions, and concluding event first.
Here, Shah Mal's mobilisation starts the sequence, while his death in July 1857 ends it.
Follow the narrative progression instead of trying to memorise the individual events separately.
Here, Shah Mal's mobilisation starts the sequence, while his death in July 1857 ends it.
Follow the narrative progression instead of trying to memorise the individual events separately.
Updated On: Sep 14, 2026
- A, B, C, D
- A, C, D, B
- B, A, D, C
- C, B, D, A
Show Solution
Verified By Collegedunia
The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
Concept:
This question requires arranging events according to the sequence in which Shah Mal's rebellion developed.
The passage describes a progression from mobilisation of villagers to direct attacks on economic interests, disruption of colonial communications, and finally Shah Mal's death.
Step 1: Identifying the Beginning of the Mobilisation:
Shah Mal first mobilised village headmen and cultivators.
He moved at night from village to village and urged people to rebel against the British.
This represents the initial stage of organised mobilisation.
Therefore, C must come first.
Step 2: Identifying the Agrarian Rebellion:
Once the rebellion spread, cultivators left their fields and attacked the houses of moneylenders and traders.
The revolt consequently developed into a wider challenge against symbols and sources of economic oppression.
Thus, B follows C.
Step 3: Disruption of British Communications:
Shah Mal's followers then attacked government infrastructure and stopped official communication between British headquarters and Meerut.
This represented a direct attempt to weaken the administrative and military capacity of colonial authorities.
Therefore, D follows B.
Step 4: Shah Mal's Death:
The passage concludes by stating that Shah Mal was killed in battle in July 1857.
This event clearly occurs after the activities described earlier in the passage.
Therefore, A is the final event.
Step 5: Establishing the Sequence:
The correct chronological order is mobilisation, attacks on moneylenders and traders, disruption of communications, and Shah Mal's death.
Final Answer:
Therefore, the correct answer is (D) C, B, D, A.
This question requires arranging events according to the sequence in which Shah Mal's rebellion developed.
The passage describes a progression from mobilisation of villagers to direct attacks on economic interests, disruption of colonial communications, and finally Shah Mal's death.
Step 1: Identifying the Beginning of the Mobilisation:
Shah Mal first mobilised village headmen and cultivators.
He moved at night from village to village and urged people to rebel against the British.
This represents the initial stage of organised mobilisation.
Therefore, C must come first.
Step 2: Identifying the Agrarian Rebellion:
Once the rebellion spread, cultivators left their fields and attacked the houses of moneylenders and traders.
The revolt consequently developed into a wider challenge against symbols and sources of economic oppression.
Thus, B follows C.
Step 3: Disruption of British Communications:
Shah Mal's followers then attacked government infrastructure and stopped official communication between British headquarters and Meerut.
This represented a direct attempt to weaken the administrative and military capacity of colonial authorities.
Therefore, D follows B.
Step 4: Shah Mal's Death:
The passage concludes by stating that Shah Mal was killed in battle in July 1857.
This event clearly occurs after the activities described earlier in the passage.
Therefore, A is the final event.
Step 5: Establishing the Sequence:
The correct chronological order is mobilisation, attacks on moneylenders and traders, disruption of communications, and Shah Mal's death.
Final Answer:
Therefore, the correct answer is (D) C, B, D, A.
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Question: 4
For what purpose was the “hall of justice” used by Shah Mal?
For what purpose was the “hall of justice” used by Shah Mal?
Show Hint
The phrase “hall of justice” is a direct clue to the judicial role of the building.
Remember that Shah Mal converted an English officer's bungalow into this centre of local justice.
This example demonstrates how the 1857 rebels sometimes attempted to replace colonial institutions with their own forms of authority.
Remember that Shah Mal converted an English officer's bungalow into this centre of local justice.
This example demonstrates how the 1857 rebels sometimes attempted to replace colonial institutions with their own forms of authority.
Updated On: Sep 14, 2026
- Used as an uprising headquarters
- Used for storing arms and ammunitions
- Used for conducting official meetings
- Used for settling disputes and dispensing judgments
Show Solution
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The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
Concept:
The 1857 uprising was not limited to military resistance against British troops.
In several areas, local leaders attempted to establish alternative forms of authority and administration after colonial control weakened.
Shah Mal's “hall of justice” is an example of this process.
Step 1: Understanding Shah Mal's Local Authority:
Shah Mal was locally acknowledged as the Raja during the rebellion.
As the British administrative structure weakened in the area, he assumed responsibilities associated with local governance.
His activities therefore went beyond organising armed resistance.
Step 2: Establishing the Hall of Justice:
Shah Mal took over the bungalow of an English officer and converted it into what the passage calls a “hall of justice”.
This transformation symbolised the displacement of British authority and the establishment of an alternative local order.
Step 3: Understanding Its Function:
The hall was used for settling disputes and dispensing judgments.
This indicates that Shah Mal attempted to provide judicial authority within the area under his control.
It was therefore an institution of local administration rather than merely a military headquarters.
Step 4: Evaluating the Options:
Option (A) is incorrect because the passage does not identify the hall primarily as an uprising headquarters.
Option (B) is incorrect because the passage does not mention the storage of arms or ammunition there.
Option (C) is also incorrect because the specific purpose stated is judicial rather than administrative meetings.
Option (D) directly matches the passage.
Final Answer:
Therefore, the correct answer is (D) Used for settling disputes and dispensing judgments.
The 1857 uprising was not limited to military resistance against British troops.
In several areas, local leaders attempted to establish alternative forms of authority and administration after colonial control weakened.
Shah Mal's “hall of justice” is an example of this process.
Step 1: Understanding Shah Mal's Local Authority:
Shah Mal was locally acknowledged as the Raja during the rebellion.
As the British administrative structure weakened in the area, he assumed responsibilities associated with local governance.
His activities therefore went beyond organising armed resistance.
Step 2: Establishing the Hall of Justice:
Shah Mal took over the bungalow of an English officer and converted it into what the passage calls a “hall of justice”.
This transformation symbolised the displacement of British authority and the establishment of an alternative local order.
Step 3: Understanding Its Function:
The hall was used for settling disputes and dispensing judgments.
This indicates that Shah Mal attempted to provide judicial authority within the area under his control.
It was therefore an institution of local administration rather than merely a military headquarters.
Step 4: Evaluating the Options:
Option (A) is incorrect because the passage does not identify the hall primarily as an uprising headquarters.
Option (B) is incorrect because the passage does not mention the storage of arms or ammunition there.
Option (C) is also incorrect because the specific purpose stated is judicial rather than administrative meetings.
Option (D) directly matches the passage.
Final Answer:
Therefore, the correct answer is (D) Used for settling disputes and dispensing judgments.
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Question: 5
Match LIST-I with LIST-II
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Match LIST-I with LIST-II
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Show Hint
Remember Nana Sahib with Kanpur and his claim connected with Baji Rao II.
Remember Kunwar Singh with Bihar and Arrah, and Rani Lakshmi Bai with Jhansi and her death in June 1858.
Chinhat should be associated with the Awadh theatre of the Revolt of 1857.
Remember Kunwar Singh with Bihar and Arrah, and Rani Lakshmi Bai with Jhansi and her death in June 1858.
Chinhat should be associated with the Awadh theatre of the Revolt of 1857.
Updated On: Sep 14, 2026
- A-I, B-II, C-III, D-IV
- A-III, B-I, C-II, D-IV
- A-IV, B-II, C-III, D-I
- A-III, B-IV, C-I, D-II
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Concept:
The Revolt of 1857 involved numerous leaders operating in different regions and under different political circumstances.
Matching each leader with the correct association requires distinguishing their geographical areas, political positions, and major military events.
Step 1: Matching Danka Shah:
Danka Shah is associated with the Battle of Chinhat in the context of the uprising.
Chinhat, near Lucknow, was an important site of conflict during the rebellion in Awadh.
Therefore, A matches with III.
Step 2: Matching Nana Sahib:
Nana Sahib was the adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao II.
After Baji Rao II's death, Nana Sahib claimed the position and pension associated with the former Peshwa, but the British refused to recognise his claim to the pension.
He subsequently became one of the major leaders of the uprising at Kanpur.
Therefore, B matches with I.
Step 3: Matching Kunwar Singh:
Kunwar Singh was a prominent zamindar from Bihar who participated in the uprising despite his advanced age.
He was associated with the region around Arrah and became one of the important leaders of resistance in Bihar.
Therefore, C matches with II.
Step 4: Matching Rani Lakshmi Bai:
Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi became one of the most prominent leaders of the rebellion.
She fought against British forces and was killed in battle in June 1858.
Therefore, D matches with IV.
Step 5: Establishing the Complete Match:
The correct associations are Danka Shah with the Battle of Chinhat, Nana Sahib with the successor claim to Baji Rao II, Kunwar Singh with the local zamindari around Arrah, and Rani Lakshmi Bai with her death in battle in June 1858.
Final Answer:
Therefore, the correct answer is (B) A-III, B-I, C-II, D-IV.
The Revolt of 1857 involved numerous leaders operating in different regions and under different political circumstances.
Matching each leader with the correct association requires distinguishing their geographical areas, political positions, and major military events.
Step 1: Matching Danka Shah:
Danka Shah is associated with the Battle of Chinhat in the context of the uprising.
Chinhat, near Lucknow, was an important site of conflict during the rebellion in Awadh.
Therefore, A matches with III.
Step 2: Matching Nana Sahib:
Nana Sahib was the adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao II.
After Baji Rao II's death, Nana Sahib claimed the position and pension associated with the former Peshwa, but the British refused to recognise his claim to the pension.
He subsequently became one of the major leaders of the uprising at Kanpur.
Therefore, B matches with I.
Step 3: Matching Kunwar Singh:
Kunwar Singh was a prominent zamindar from Bihar who participated in the uprising despite his advanced age.
He was associated with the region around Arrah and became one of the important leaders of resistance in Bihar.
Therefore, C matches with II.
Step 4: Matching Rani Lakshmi Bai:
Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi became one of the most prominent leaders of the rebellion.
She fought against British forces and was killed in battle in June 1858.
Therefore, D matches with IV.
Step 5: Establishing the Complete Match:
The correct associations are Danka Shah with the Battle of Chinhat, Nana Sahib with the successor claim to Baji Rao II, Kunwar Singh with the local zamindari around Arrah, and Rani Lakshmi Bai with her death in battle in June 1858.
Final Answer:
Therefore, the correct answer is (B) A-III, B-I, C-II, D-IV.
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