A student studies the British newspaper reports and pictures that spread in Britain as news of the revolt arrived in 1857. What public mood did they help to create?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → A belief that violent repression and vengeance were both necessary and just
Option (1) A sense that the time of trouble was past and the revolt was over — Incorrect. This sense of relief came from paintings like "Relief of Lucknow" (1859), made after the British had won. In 1857 the mood was anger and a call for revenge.
Option (2) A feeling that the sepoys had real grievances the Company should address — Incorrect. The reports and pictures showed the rebels as brutish and stirred anger against them.
Option (3) A belief that violent repression and vengeance were both necessary and just — Correct. As anger and shock spread, visual representations and news created a milieu (a general mood) in which violent repression and vengeance were seen as both necessary and just.
Option (4) A wish that the loyal Indian princes be rewarded for standing by the British — Incorrect. These images called for punishing the rebels. Rewards for loyal princes came later, under a separate policy.
NCERT (2026-27): “5.3 Vengeance and retribution |