In a large village of western Uttar Pradesh in 1857, prosperous Jat cultivators complain that the land revenue demand is high and its collection inflexible, and that their land is passing to outsiders. A man of their clan moves at night from village to village, gathering the headmen and cultivators of the area. His followers break the bridge over the river, dig up metalled roads and send supplies to the sepoys in Delhi. He then takes over an English officer's bungalow and begins to settle disputes there.
Why did his followers damage the means of transport in the area?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → To keep government forces out, and because such works stood for British rule
Option (1) To stop moneylenders and traders from bringing their goods into the villages — Incorrect. The rebels did attack moneylenders and traders, but by plundering their houses. The damage to roads aimed at British forces and British rule.
Option (2) To keep government forces out, and because such works stood for British rule — Correct. The roads were dug up partly to prevent government forces from coming into the area. They were also attacked because bridges and roads were seen as symbols of British rule.
Option (3) To block revenue officials who came to survey and measure the village lands — Incorrect. The cultivators resented the high revenue demand. Yet the roads were cut to keep troops away and to strike at symbols of British rule.
Option (4) To keep the region's grain from being carried off to Company markets — Incorrect. The rebels in fact sent supplies to the sepoys in Delhi. Cutting the roads was meant to keep government forces away.
NCERT (2026-27): “Two rebels of 1857 … |