British attempts to recover Delhi in 1857 led to heavy fighting and losses on both sides. Which of the following was one reason for this?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Rebels from all over North India had come to defend the capital.
Option (1) The British force from the Punjab first had to put down a rising in the Punjab. — Incorrect. The Punjab was largely peaceful. The British force set out from there to reconquer Delhi without a rising to crush first.
Option (2) The British had to fight without the reinforcements brought in from Britain. — Incorrect. The reverse is true. The British attacked armed with special laws and the reinforcements brought in from Britain.
Option (3) Military officers had not yet been given the power to try and punish rebels. — Incorrect. The Acts of May and June 1857 had already given military officers, and even ordinary Britons, the power to try and punish suspects.
Option (4) Rebels from all over North India had come to defend the capital. — Correct. Both sides saw Delhi as a symbol. So rebels from all over North India gathered there to defend the capital, which made the fighting long and costly.
NCERT (2026-27): “4. Repression … “attempts to recover Delhi began in earnest in early June 1857 but it was only in late September that the city was finally captured. The fighting and losses on both sides were heavy. One reason for this was the fact that rebels from all over North India had come to Delhi to defend the capital.” |