The correct option is 1 and 3 only.
Explanation
The proclamations issued during the Revolt of 1857 reflect the ideological basis of the rebellion, emphasizing a unified front against British rule irrespective of religious differences.
- Statement 1 is Correct: The rebel proclamations repeatedly appealed to all sections of the population, irrespective of their caste and creed. Many proclamations issued by Muslim princes or in their names took care to address the sentiments of Hindus. They often invoked the pre-British past, referencing a time when Hindus and Muslims lived together in harmony, to highlight the disruptive nature of British rule.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: The proclamations did not reject coexistence; rather, they glorified the coexistence of different communities under the Mughal Empire. The Mughal era was presented as a period of legitimate authority where religious sentiments were respected, unlike the "firangi raj" which was accused of destroying the caste and religion of both communities.
- Statement 3 is Correct: The communal unity during the revolt was robust. British officials made specific attempts to create a wedge between the communities but were largely unsuccessful. For instance, in December 1857, the British spent Rs 50,000 in Bareilly to incite the Hindu population against the Muslims, but the attempt failed completely.
Key Takeaway: A hallmark of the 1857 Revolt was the unprecedented Hindu-Muslim unity, where immediate steps were taken to respect each other's sentiments (such as the prohibition of cow slaughter) to present a united front against the British.