Which English Lady is shown defending herself against the Indian sepoys in Kanpur? |
Miss Besant Miss Wheeler Miss Victoria None of the above. |
Miss Wheeler |
The correct answer is Option 2 - Miss Wheeler. In the shown painting, Miss Wheeler defends herself against sepoys in Kanpur. In another set of sketches and paintings of the revolt of 1857, we see women in a different light. They appear heroic, defending themselves against the attack of rebels. Miss Wheeler stands firmly at the centre, defending her honour, single-handedly killing the attacking rebels. As in all such British representations, the rebels are demonised. Here, four burly males with swords and guns are shown attacking a woman. The woman’s struggle to save her honour and her life, in fact, is represented as having a deeper religious connotation: it is a battle to save the honour of Christianity. The book lying on the floor is the Bible |