An 1857 rebel proclamation complains about one group: "Notwithstanding all these concessions, they are liable to imprisonment and disgrace at the instance or complaint of a worthless man." Identify the group.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Merchants
Option (1) Zemindars — Incorrect. Zemindars also complained of arrest, but in a different form: they were <strong>summoned into court</strong> on a suit by a common Ryot, a maid servant or a slave.
Option (2) Merchants — Correct. The line comes from the section on <strong>merchants</strong>. It follows their complaints that the British monopolised fine trade and taxed their profits with postages and tolls.
Option (3) Public servants — Incorrect. Public servants complained of <strong>little respect and low pay</strong>, and that high posts went only to Englishmen.
Option (4) Artisans — Incorrect. Artisans complained that English goods had <strong>thrown them out of employ</strong> and reduced them to beggary.
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