The correct answer is: a) Madurai and Tirunelveli.
The 1857 Revolt, also known as the Indian Rebellion of 1857, was a major uprising in India against the British East India Company. The revolt began in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, on 10 May 1857, and spread to other parts of India, including the Madras Presidency (now Tamil Nadu).
In the Madras Presidency, reports of potential unrest and conspiracies related to the revolt were found in parts of Tamil Nadu like Madurai and Tirunelveli. These reports were based on the activities of some local people who were suspected of being involved in the revolt. The British authorities took these reports seriously and took steps to prevent the revolt from spreading to the Madras Presidency.
The British authorities also took steps to suppress the revolt in the Madras Presidency. They arrested and imprisoned some of the suspected rebels, and they also imposed martial law in some areas. The revolt was eventually suppressed, but it had a significant impact on the British rule in India.
The other options are incorrect because they do not refer to parts of Tamil Nadu where reports of potential unrest and conspiracies related to the 1857 Revolt were found.
- Option b) Thanjavur and Pudukkottai refers to two districts in the southern part of Tamil Nadu. There is no evidence that reports of potential unrest and conspiracies related to the 1857 Revolt were found in these districts.
- Option c) The Nilgiris and Salem refers to two districts in the western part of Tamil Nadu. There is no evidence that reports of potential unrest and conspiracies related to the 1857 Revolt were found in these districts.
- Option d) Chennai and Kanchipuram refers to two cities in the northern part of Tamil Nadu. There is no evidence that reports of potential unrest and conspiracies related to the 1857 Revolt were found in these cities.