Question

The Revolt of 1857 in Awadh and Lucknow was led by?
A. Wajid Ali Shah
B. Begum Hazrat Mahal
C. Asaf-ud-daula
D. Begum Zeenat Mahal

Answer 1

Hint: The Revolt of 1857 was a prolonged period of rebellion by the people of India that began in Meerut (Northern India) as a mutiny by Indian soldiers that worked under the British East India Company.
What started as an offense against the arms that were being given to the Indian Soldiers, was further led by important people at important posts and with significant power. It also led to the imprisonment of many such people.

Complete answer:
This revolt was called the Sepoy mutiny and also referred to as the First War of Independence that happened during the British rule between the years 1857-1859.
Although there were many political and socio-economic reasons for the revolt to spread in the Awadh area, the following two were considered to be the major reasons:
The doctrine of Lapse by Dalhousie
False allegations of misgovernance by the British residents
The doctrine of lapse stated that a king will not be allowed to pass his throne, title, and possessions to his adopted son. And a kingdom without a ruler will be taken over and governed by the East India British company.
Wajid Ali Shah was the Nawab of Awadh at the time, and he was dethroned by the British company on the basis of the exaggerated and false statements given by the non-Indian residents staying in the region. He was wrongly blamed for’ misrule of the state’ and hence his kingdom was attacked by the British and he was exiled to Calcutta.
The mutiny by Begum Hazrat Mahal and her troop was led by Raja Jalal Singh while her army of women was commandeered by Uda Devi. They seized back Lucknow and Begum's son Birjis Qadr was declared as a ruler. The victory was for a short time period.

So, the correct answer is Option <|B> :

Note: Begum Hazrat Mahal also joined hands with Nana Saheb and after the fall of Lucknow, she escaped to Kathmandu where she was buried in an anonymous grave.