WBCS.LIVE practice question

The first war of Independence (1857) started from

Solve this multiple-choice question and check the correct answer with its explanation below.

Answer options

  1. Lucknow
  2. Jhansi
  3. Meerut
  4. Kanpur

Correct answer and explanation

Correct answer: Meerut

Explanation: The correct answer is C. Meerut. The First War of Independence in 1857, also known as the Revolt of 1857, began in Meerut on May 10, 1857. It started when Indian soldiers, or sepoys, of the British East India Company's army revolted against the use of cartridges rumoured to be greased with cow and pig fat, which offended both Hindu and Muslim religious sentiments. The revolt quickly spread to major centres like Delhi, Kanpur, Lucknow, and Jhansi, but Meerut was the first spark that ignited the rebellion. After revolting in Meerut, the sepoys marched to Delhi, where they declared Bahadur Shah Zafar as the Emperor of India, giving the revolt a symbolic national identity.