Who wrote one of the earliest histories of the uprising and noted that, panchayats were a nightly occurrence in the Kanpur sepoy lines?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Charles Ball
The mutinies of 1857 spread in a similar pattern because the sepoys communicated and planned among themselves. Charles Ball, who wrote one of the earliest histories of the uprising, noted that panchayats were a nightly occurrence in the Kanpur sepoy lines. Decisions were taken collectively at such meetings, as when the Awadh Military Police left the fate of Captain Hearsey to a panchayat of native officers drawn from each regiment.
Note: A same/similar question was asked in CUET (UG) in the papers below.
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
| 20-05 S1* 21-05 S2 | 03-06 S2* | – | 23-06 S3* | – |
* A similar question.
NCERT (2025-26): “1.2 Lines of communication … Captain Hearsey of the Awadh Military Police had been given protection by his Indian subordinates during the mutiny. The 41st Native Infantry, which was stationed in the same place, insisted that since they had killed all their white officers, the Military Police should also kill Hearsey or deliver him as prisoner to the 41st. The Military Police refused to do either, and it was decided that the matter would be settled by a panchayat composed of native officers drawn from each regiment. Charles Ball, who wrote one of the earliest histories of the uprising, noted that panchayats were a nightly occurrence in the Kanpur sepoy lines.…” |