The correct option is 1 and 3 only
Explanation
The Revolt of 1857 was not merely a destructive mutiny; the rebels actively attempted to establish alternative power structures and a parallel government. These administrative setups drew legitimacy from the pre-colonial political order and were designed to sustain the war effort against the British.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Correct: The rebels sought to legitimize their authority by invoking the legacy of the Mughal Empire. Proclamations were issued in the name of the Mughal Emperor, and the administrative culture (court etiquette, appointments, and hierarchy) attempted to replicate and restore the eighteenth-century Mughal world.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: The question specifically refers to the administrative structures established by the rebels. In Awadh, the rebel administration (under Begum Hazrat Mahal and Birjis Qadr) was remarkably resilient and organized. It did not collapse within days; rather, it offered the longest and stiffest resistance to the British, functioning for several months. (Note: It was the British administration that collapsed "like a house of cards" within days of the outbreak, not the rebel structure).
- Statement 3 is Correct: To sustain the rebellion and pay the soldiers, the rebel leadership organized the collection of land revenue. They often utilized existing zamindars and traditional intermediaries to collect taxes to meet military expenses, ensuring the logistical continuity of the revolt.
Key Takeaway:
The rebels of 1857 went beyond mutiny to establish a formal polity based on the Mughal model, implementing systems for leadership, command, and revenue collection to support a prolonged war.