Q. After the Revolt of 1857, the British recruited Indian soldiers mostly from the
(a) Brahmins of UP and Bihar
(b) Bengalis and Oriyas from the east
(c) Gurkhas, Sikhs and Punjabis in the north
(d) Madras Presidency in the south and Marathas from the west
Ans: (c) Gurkhas, Sikhs and Punjabis in the north
Explanation: After the Revolt of 1857, the British recruited Indian soldiers mostly from (c) Gurkhas, Sikhs, and Punjabis in the north.
The British authorities reformed their recruitment policies after the Revolt of 1857 to ensure greater loyalty and reliability among the Indian soldiers. They focused on regions and communities that were considered more loyal to the British. As a result, a significant number of Indian soldiers were recruited from the northern regions, specifically Gurkhas from Nepal, Sikhs from Punjab, and Punjabis in general.
Gurkhas had a longstanding association with the British and were known for their bravery and military skills. Sikhs had a strong martial tradition and had already been serving in the British Indian Army before the revolt. The Punjabi community, which included various castes and communities from Punjab, was also actively recruited.
By recruiting soldiers from these regions and communities, the British aimed to have a reliable and loyal force to maintain their control over India and protect their interests.
