HistoryModern India: Rebels and the Raj

Which one of the following steps taken after British rule collapsed i…

Which one of the following steps taken after British rule collapsed in parts of North India in 1857 is the odd one out?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 2

The correct answer is Option (2) → Making arrangements for the payment of troops

Option (1) Mounting a two-pronged attack to reconquer Delhi — Incorrect. A British step. One force moved from Calcutta and another from the Punjab to retake Delhi.

Option (2) Making arrangements for the payment of troops — Correct. A step taken by the rebels. Where British rule collapsed, they made arrangements for the payment of troops as part of their own administration.

Option (3) Bringing in reinforcements from Britain — Incorrect. A British step. Reinforcements from Britain were used along with the new special laws to put down the revolt.

Option (4) Passing special Acts in May and June 1857 — Incorrect. A British step. These Acts put North India under martial law before troops were sent out.

NCERT (2026-27): “3.3 The search for alternative power
Once British rule had collapsed, the rebels in places like Delhi, Lucknow and Kanpur tried to establish some kind of structure of authority and administration. This was, of course, short-lived but the attempts show that the rebel leadership wanted to restore the pre-British world of the eighteenth century. The leaders went back to the culture of the court. Appointments were made to various posts, arrangements made for the collection of land revenue and the payment of troops, orders issued to stop loot and plunder. …”

“Armed with these newly enacted special laws and the reinforcements brought in from Britain, the British began the task of suppressing the revolt. They, like the rebels, recognised the symbolic value of Delhi. The British thus mounted a two-pronged attack. One force moved from Calcutta into North India and the other from the Punjab – which was largely peaceful – to reconquer Delhi. …”