The correct answer is: d) All of the above.
The Revolt of 1857, also known as the Indian Rebellion of 1857, the Sepoy Mutiny, or the Indian Mutiny, was a major uprising in India against British rule. The revolt began on 10 May 1857 at Meerut, in the North-Western Provinces, and spread rapidly to other parts of northern and central India. The rebels were motivated by a variety of factors, including religious and economic grievances, as well as resentment of British rule.
The revolt was ultimately unsuccessful, but it had a profound impact on British rule in India. The British government was forced to reconsider its policies in India, and it began to emphasize ‘civilizing missions’ in an attempt to win over the Indian population. The revolt also led to a shift towards indirect rule in tribal areas, as the British government sought to avoid further uprisings.
Here is a brief explanation of each option:
- Heightened British anxieties about frontier regions: The Revolt of 1857 showed the British that they were not as secure in India as they had thought. The revolt also showed that the British were vulnerable to attack from tribal areas. This led to heightened British anxieties about frontier regions, and the British government began to take steps to secure these areas.
- A shift towards indirect rule in tribal areas: Indirect rule was a system of government in which the British allowed local rulers to retain some power, but the British government had ultimate control. The British government began to use indirect rule in tribal areas after the Revolt of 1857, as they believed that this would be a more effective way to control these areas.
- Greater emphasis on ‘civilizing missions’: The British government believed that it had a duty to ‘civilize’ the Indian population. This meant that the British government promoted education, healthcare, and other reforms in India. The British government also emphasized ‘civilizing missions’ after the Revolt of 1857, as they believed that this would help to prevent further uprisings.