Consider the following statements regarding the Mahar Regiment: 1. It offered employment opportunities to the Mahar people who were regarded as untouchable. 2. The father of B.R. Ambedkar taught at an army school. 3. It was disbanded by the British after the Revolt of 1857. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct option is (a) 1 and 2 only Explanation The history of the Mahar community's involvement in the British Indian Army and its socio-political implications. The recruitment of Mahars was significant for their social mobility, a context closely linked to the "Martial Races" theory adopted by the British after the Revolt of 1857 and the subsequent Dalit emancipation movement led by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Statement-wise Analysis - Statement 1 is Correct: The British Indian Army offered employment opportunities to the Mahar people, who were traditionally regarded as untouchables in the caste hierarchy. Service in the army provided them with a steady income, education, and a degree of social standing that was denied to them in civil society. - Statement 2 is Correct: Ramji Maloji Sakpal, the father of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, served in the British Indian Army. He rose to the rank of Subedar and served as a teacher in an army school. This background played a crucial role in Dr. Ambedkar’s early upbringing and access to education. - Statement 3 is Incorrect: The Mahars were not disbanded immediately after the Revolt of 1857. In fact, the Mahars remained loyal to the British during the 1857 uprising. However, recruitment of Mahars was halted in 1892 (late 19th century) due to the implementation of the "Martial Races" theory, which favored communities from North-West India (like Sikhs and Pathans) over others. The Mahar Regiment was later reconstituted in 1941 during World War II, largely due to the efforts of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Key Takeaway: The recruitment of Mahars into the British Army was stopped in 1892 based on the "Martial Races" theory, not as a punitive measure immediately following the Revolt of 1857. This military service was a vital catalyst for the Dalit socio-political movement.

NCERT Class 8 History — Chapter 6: Women, Caste and Reform

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Consider the following statements regarding the Mahar Regiment:

It offered employment opportunities to the Mahar people who were regarded as untouchable.
The father of B.R. Ambedkar taught at an army school.
It was disbanded by the British after the Revolt of 1857.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 and 2 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 only
D1, 2 and 3

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is (a) 1 and 2 only

Explanation

The history of the Mahar community's involvement in the British Indian Army and its socio-political implications. The recruitment of Mahars was significant for their social mobility, a context closely linked to the "Martial Races" theory adopted by the British after the Revolt of 1857 and the subsequent Dalit emancipation movement led by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct: The British Indian Army offered employment opportunities to the Mahar people, who were traditionally regarded as untouchables in the caste hierarchy. Service in the army provided them with a steady income, education, and a degree of social standing that was denied to them in civil society.
Statement 2 is Correct: Ramji Maloji Sakpal, the father of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, served in the British Indian Army. He rose to the rank of Subedar and served as a teacher in an army school. This background played a crucial role in Dr. Ambedkar’s early upbringing and access to education.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: The Mahars were not disbanded immediately after the Revolt of 1857. In fact, the Mahars remained loyal to the British during the 1857 uprising. However, recruitment of Mahars was halted in 1892 (late 19th century) due to the implementation of the "Martial Races" theory, which favored communities from North-West India (like Sikhs and Pathans) over others. The Mahar Regiment was later reconstituted in 1941 during World War II, largely due to the efforts of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

Key Takeaway: The recruitment of Mahars into the British Army was stopped in 1892 based on the "Martial Races" theory, not as a punitive measure immediately following the Revolt of 1857. This military service was a vital catalyst for the Dalit socio-political movement.

Your note

More from Chapter 6: Women, Caste and Reform

With reference to the social reforms initiated by Raja Rammohun Roy, consider the following statements: 1. He founded the Brahmo Sabha in Calcutta, which was later known as the Brahmo Samaj. 2. He relied exclusively on Western rationalist thought and rejected all ancient Indian texts to prove his arguments. 3. He led a campaign against the practice of Sati, which was banned in 1829. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Consider the following statements regarding the movement for widow remarriage in the nineteenth century: 1. Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar used ancient texts to suggest that widows could remarry. 2. The British officials opposed Vidyasagar’s suggestion and refused to pass any law permitting widow remarriage. 3. Veerasalingam Pantulu formed an association for widow remarriage in the Telugu-speaking areas of the Madras Presidency. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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With reference to the spread of education among women in the nineteenth century, consider the following statements: 1. The Arya Samaj established schools for girls in Maharashtra, while Jyotirao Phule established them in Punjab. 2. In aristocratic Muslim households in North India, women were taught the Koran in Arabic by women who came home to teach. 3. The first Urdu novels were written to encourage women to read about religion and domestic management. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Consider the following statements regarding women’s writings and organizations in the early twentieth century: 1. The Begums of Bhopal founded a primary school for girls at Aligarh. 2. Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain started schools for Muslim girls in Patna and Calcutta. 3. Pandita Ramabai wrote the book Stripurushtulna to criticize the social differences between men and women. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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With reference to the Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929, consider the following statements: 1. It was passed after bitter debates and struggles similar to earlier social reform laws. 2. According to the Act, no man below the age of 18 and woman below the age of 16 could marry. 3. The age limits were subsequently raised to 21 for men and 18 for women. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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The correct option is (a) 1 and 2 only

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct: The British Indian Army offered employment opportunities to the Mahar people, who were traditionally regarded as untouchables in the caste hierarchy. Service in the army provided them with a steady income, education, and a degree of social standing that was denied to them in civil society.
Statement 2 is Correct: Ramji Maloji Sakpal, the father of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, served in the British Indian Army. He rose to the rank of Subedar and served as a teacher in an army school. This background played a crucial role in Dr. Ambedkar’s early upbringing and access to education.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: The Mahars were not disbanded immediately after the Revolt of 1857. In fact, the Mahars remained loyal to the British during the 1857 uprising. However, recruitment of Mahars was halted in 1892 (late 19th century) due to the implementation of the "Martial Races" theory, which favored communities from North-West India (like Sikhs and Pathans) over others. The Mahar Regiment was later reconstituted in 1941 during World War II, largely due to the efforts of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.