Q. Looking closely at the seditious activities of the sepoys, the Government lost no time to enact Act XI of 1857. This was to
(a) try persons guilty of rebellion, of waging war against the queen and punish them with death
(b) try persons guilty of rebellion, of waging war against the queen and punish them with life
imprisonment
(c) try persons guilty of rebellion, of waging war against the King and not punishing them with death
(d) try persons guilty of rebellion, but leniently
Ans: (a) try persons guilty of rebellion, of waging war against the queen and punish them with death
Explanation: The Government lost no time to enact Act XI of 1857 in order to (a) try persons guilty of rebellion, of waging war against the queen, and punish them with death. Act XI of 1857, also known as the Act for the Better Prevention and Punishment of Mutiny, was introduced by the British government in response to the rebellion. This act aimed to address the seditious activities of the sepoys and those involved in the uprising. It provided legal provisions to try and punish individuals found guilty of rebellion and waging war against the queen (referring to the British monarch). The act authorized severe penalties, including the punishment of death, for those convicted of these charges. Its implementation reflected the British government’s determination to suppress the rebellion and maintain its authority.
