In the given question, a statement of Assertion is followed by a statement of Reason. Mark the correct answer.

Assertion: In major towns like Lucknow, Kanpur and Bareilly, money-lenders and the rich also became the objects of rebel wrath.

Reason: Peasants not only saw them as oppressors but also as allies of the British.

Both the Assertion and the Reason are correct and the Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.

The correct answer is Option 1 - Both the Assertion and the Reason are correct and the Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.

Assertion: In major towns like Lucknow, Kanpur and Bareilly, money-lenders and the rich also became the objects of rebel wrath.

Reason: Peasants not only saw them as oppressors but also as allies of the British.

The reason provides an explanation for the assertion. If the peasants indeed saw the money-lenders and the rich as both oppressors and allies of the British, it makes sense that these groups would be the targets of rebel wrath. The relationship suggests that the assertion (what happened) is directly explained by the reason (why it happened).

The sepoys began their action with a signal: in many places it was the firing of the evening gun or the sounding of the bugle. They first seized the bell of arms and plundered the treasury. They then attacked government buildings – the jail, treasury, telegraph office, record room, bungalows – burning all records. Everything and everybody connected with the white man became a target. Proclamations in Hindi, Urdu and Persian were put up in the cities calling upon the population, both Hindus and Muslims, to unite, rise and exterminate the firangis. When ordinary people began joining the revolt, the targets of attack widened. In major towns like Lucknow, Kanpur and Bareilly, moneylenders and the rich also became the objects of rebel wrath (ASSERTION). Peasants not only saw them as oppressors but also as allies of the British (REASON). In most places their houses were looted and destroyed. The mutiny in the sepoy ranks quickly became a rebellion. There was a general defiance of all kinds of authority and hierarchy.