The question asks to identify the policy of Lord Dalhousie that led to the annexation of Indian princely states without a natural male heir, and which was a major political cause of the Revolt of 1857. We need to evaluate each option to determine which policy fits this description.
Correct Option: D) The Doctrine of Lapse was Lord Dalhousie's policy that allowed the British to annex Indian princely states if their ruler died without a natural male heir. This policy was a significant political grievance and a major cause of the Revolt of 1857, as it led to the annexation of several kingdoms and deeply offended Indian rulers and traditional customs.
The question asks to identify the Indian state annexed by Lord Dalhousie in 1856 on the pretext of 'misgovernment' and which subsequently became a major centre of the 1857 Revolt. This requires knowledge of British annexation policies, specifically Lord Dalhousie's actions, and the causes and key locations of the Revolt of 1857.
C) Awadh (Oudh) — Lord Dalhousie annexed Awadh in 1856 on the pretext of alleged misgovernment by its ruler, Nawab Wajid Ali Shah. This annexation deeply angered the local population and the sepoys, many of whom were from Awadh, making it a crucial centre of the Revolt of 1857.
The question asks to identify the first Indian state annexed by Lord Dalhousie under the Doctrine of Lapse. This requires knowledge of the chronological order of annexations under this policy.
D) Satara — Satara was the first state to be annexed by Lord Dalhousie under the Doctrine of Lapse in 1848.
The question asks to identify the Mughal Emperor who was declared 'Shahenshah-e-Hindustan' by the rebel sepoys in Delhi on May 11, 1857. This refers to a key event during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. We need to recall the last Mughal Emperor who was on the throne during that period.
C) Bahadur Shah II was the last Mughal Emperor and was proclaimed 'Shahenshah-e-Hindustan' by the rebel sepoys in Delhi on May 11, 1857, during the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
The question asks to identify the state annexed by the British on the grounds of "misgovernment." This refers to a specific policy adopted by the British East India Company in the 19th century to expand its territories in India.
Correct Option: D) Awadh was annexed by the British in 1856 on the grounds of "misgovernment" or "maladministration." Lord Dalhousie, the then Governor-General, justified the annexation by claiming that the Nawab of Awadh was unable to govern his state properly, leading to widespread disorder and suffering among the populace. This was a significant event leading up to the Revolt of 1857.
The question asks to identify the last Peshwa whose adopted son, Nana Saheb, was denied a pension by the British, leading to his involvement in the 1857 rebellion. This requires knowledge of the history of the Maratha Peshwas and the causes of the 1857 Revolt.
Correct Option: D) Baji Rao II was the last Peshwa. After the Third Anglo-Maratha War, he was exiled to Bithoor and given a pension by the British. His adopted son, Nana Saheb (Dhondu Pant), was denied this pension after Baji Rao II's death. This denial was a major reason for Nana Saheb's participation and leadership in the 1857 Revolt at Kanpur.