The correct option is 2 only
Explanation
Shah Mal was a local leader who mobilized the peasantry in the Barout pargana of western Uttar Pradesh during the Revolt of 1857. His actions exemplify the role of local community networks in organizing resistance against British rule.
Statement 1 is Incorrect: Shah Mal lived in a large village in pargana Barout, Uttar Pradesh. He belonged to a clan of Jat cultivators whose kinship ties extended over a region known as chaurasee des (eighty-four villages). These kinship networks were instrumental in spreading the rebellion and mobilizing resources across the region.
Statement 2 is Correct: While Shah Mal and his followers attacked government buildings and destroyed infrastructure like bridges and roads, they repurposed certain structures. Specifically, the bungalow of an English officer was turned into a "hall of justice" where Shah Mal settled disputes and dispensed judgments, effectively establishing a parallel administration rather than merely destroying the building.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: Shah Mal did not survive the revolt. He was killed in battle in July 1857 by British forces led by Dunlap. His body was cut into pieces and displayed to terrorize the local population.
Key Takeaway: Shah Mal utilized traditional kinship ties (chaurasee des) to organize a revolt and established a parallel administrative system, symbolizing the breakdown of British authority at the local level.