NCERT Class 8 History — Chapter 4: When People Revolt 1857 and After

mcqeasy

Which of the following statements is correct regarding the fate of Bahadur Shah Zafar after the revolt?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

AHe was tried and sentenced to life imprisonment in Rangoon.
BHe was exiled to Nepal.
CHe was allowed to remain as a nominal ruler in the Red Fort.
DHe was executed by firing squad in Delhi.

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is

He was tried and sentenced to life imprisonment in Rangoon.

Explanation

The recapture of Delhi by British forces in September 1857 marked a decisive turning point in the suppression of the revolt. The treatment of the Mughal Emperor, who had been proclaimed the leader of the uprising, signaled the formal end of the Mughal dynasty.

Analysis of Options:

He was executed by firing squad in Delhi. is Incorrect: Bahadur Shah Zafar was not executed. However, his sons and grandson were captured and publicly shot dead by Lieutenant Hudson at the Khooni Darwaza in Delhi.
He was exiled to Nepal. is Incorrect: Leaders such as Nana Saheb and Begum Hazrat Mahal refused to surrender and escaped to Nepal. Bahadur Shah Zafar did not flee; he took refuge at Humayun's Tomb before surrendering to the British.
He was tried and sentenced to life imprisonment in Rangoon. is Correct: Bahadur Shah Zafar was tried by a British military commission on charges of treason, conspiracy, and rebellion. He was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment. He was subsequently exiled to Rangoon (Burma) along with his wife, Begum Zeenat Mahal. He died there in November 1862.
He was allowed to remain as a nominal ruler in the Red Fort. is Incorrect: The British government decided to abolish the Mughal imperial title completely. He was removed from the Red Fort and stripped of all authority, rather than being retained as a nominal ruler.

Key Takeaway:

The Revolt of 1857 resulted in the trial and deportation of Bahadur Shah Zafar to Rangoon, bringing a definitive legal and political end to the Mughal Empire.

Your note

More from Chapter 4: When People Revolt 1857 and After

With reference to the policies of the East India Company towards Indian rulers in the mid-18th century, consider the following statements: 1. The Company imposed subsidiary alliances on territories like Awadh as early as 1801. 2. Governor-General Canning declared that Bahadur Shah Zafar would continue to be recognized as King after his death. 3. The Company continued to mint coins with the Mughal king’s name until the revolt of 1857 broke out. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Consider the following statements regarding the discontent among the Indian sepoys employed by the Company: 1. They were unhappy about their pay, allowances, and conditions of service. 2. The General Service Enlistment Act of 1856 exempted new recruits from serving overseas. 3. In 1824, the sepoys refused to go to Burma by the sea route. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Which of the following pairs of leaders and their associated regions during the Revolt of 1857 is correctly matched? 1. Birjis Qadr : Lucknow 2. Rani Avantibai Lodhi : Ramgarh 3. Kunwar Singh : Kanpur 4. Bakht Khan : Bareilly Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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The book *Majha Pravaas*, which provides details about the impending upheaval of 1857, was written by:

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With reference to the administrative changes introduced after the Revolt of 1857, consider the following statements: 1. A member of the British Cabinet was appointed as the Governor-General of India. 2. The Governor-General of India was given the title of Viceroy. 3. The proportion of Indian soldiers in the army was reduced. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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The correct option is

He was tried and sentenced to life imprisonment in Rangoon.

Explanation

Analysis of Options:

He was executed by firing squad in Delhi. is Incorrect: Bahadur Shah Zafar was not executed. However, his sons and grandson were captured and publicly shot dead by Lieutenant Hudson at the Khooni Darwaza in Delhi.
He was exiled to Nepal. is Incorrect: Leaders such as Nana Saheb and Begum Hazrat Mahal refused to surrender and escaped to Nepal. Bahadur Shah Zafar did not flee; he took refuge at Humayun's Tomb before surrendering to the British.
He was tried and sentenced to life imprisonment in Rangoon. is Correct: Bahadur Shah Zafar was tried by a British military commission on charges of treason, conspiracy, and rebellion. He was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment. He was subsequently exiled to Rangoon (Burma) along with his wife, Begum Zeenat Mahal. He died there in November 1862.
He was allowed to remain as a nominal ruler in the Red Fort. is Incorrect: The British government decided to abolish the Mughal imperial title completely. He was removed from the Red Fort and stripped of all authority, rather than being retained as a nominal ruler.

Key Takeaway:

The Revolt of 1857 resulted in the trial and deportation of Bahadur Shah Zafar to Rangoon, bringing a definitive legal and political end to the Mughal Empire.