The correct answer is: A) Indian nationalism.
The 1857 Indian Rebellion, also known as the Sepoy Mutiny, was a major uprising against British rule in India. The rebellion was led by Indian soldiers, known as sepoys, who were unhappy with the British East India Company’s policies. The rebellion was unsuccessful, but it had a significant impact on the history of India.
One of the legacies of the 1857 rebellion was a heightened sense of Indian nationalism. The rebellion showed that Indians were capable of uniting against British rule, and it inspired a new generation of Indian nationalists. This led to the rise of the Indian independence movement, which eventually led to India’s independence in 1947.
The other options are incorrect. Option B, communalism, is the belief that people of different religions or ethnic groups should live separately. This belief was not a major factor in the 1857 rebellion. Option C, British distrust of locals, is also incorrect. The British did distrust some Indian leaders after the rebellion, but this distrust was not a major legacy of the rebellion. Option D, social reformist zeal, is the desire to reform society. This was a major concern of some Indian leaders after the rebellion, but it was not a major legacy of the rebellion.
In conclusion, the correct answer to the question “One legacy of the 1857 period in Kerala was a heightened sense of:” is A) Indian nationalism.