Modern Indian Historical Figures

Correct Answer: Madhavrao

Baji Rao II signed the Subsidiary Alliance with the British in 1802 after being defeated by Holkar. This treaty marked the beginning of direct British interference in Maratha affairs and reduced the Peshwa to a subsidiary ally. The other Maratha leaders like Appa Sahib Bhonsle, Yashwant Rao Holkar, and Daulat Rai Scindia resisted the Subsidiary Alliance and fought against British expansion.

Shivaji found the state of Maratha kingdom and Shahu appointed Peshwas as the Prime Ministers of the Maratha Empire.

Baji Rao I served as Peshwa to Shahu (Shahu Maharaj), who released from Mughal captivity became the Maratha ruler. After Shahu's death in 1749, Baji Rao I continued his policies but technically served as Peshwa to the throne. Shahu appointed Baji Rao I as Peshwa in 1720, recognizing his administrative and military capabilities.

V. D. Savarkar, in his book 'The Indian War of Independence of 1857', was the first to characterize the revolt as a 'war of independence' - framing it as a nationalist freedom struggle rather than a mutiny or sepoy rebellion. This terminology reframed the event from a military uprising to a political independence movement, emphasizing its anti-colonial nature.

Correct Answer: Nana Sahib

John Nicholson, a British military leader, was instrumental in recapturing Delhi from the rebels in September 1857. He led the assault and was fatally wounded during the siege of Delhi. Nicholson became a colonial hero for his role in suppressing the revolt at Delhi, which was the epicenter of the rebellion. Other generals suppressed different areas - Campbell at Lucknow, Hugh Rose in central India.

Veer Kunwar Singh (1777-1858), one of the leaders of the Indian Rebellion of 1857, belonged to a royal Kshatriya (Rajput) house of Jagdispur, currently a part of Bhojpur district, Bihar, India.

Sahib won the confidence of Charles Hillersdon, the Collector of Cawnpore. It was planned that Nana Saheb would assemble a force of 1500 soldiers, in case the rebellion spread to Kanpur.

Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi was defeated by General Sir Hugh Rose in March-April 1858 after a fierce battle. John Nicholson died during the capture of Delhi in 1857, Colin Campbell led the relief of Lucknow, and William Taylor was not a prominent figure in the Jhansi campaign.

He was the first Viceroy of India. He abolished the Doctrine of Lapse and also established three major universities at Calcutta, Bombay and Madras.

The central administrative system of the Gupta era comprised the Mantri/Sachiv (modern Chief Minister), Bhatasvapati (commander of infantry and cavalry), Kataka (commander of elephants), Dandapasadhikaran (police chief), Kumaramatyas and Ayuktas (provincial heads).

He was the last British Governor General of independent India. An act for Indian independence was passed under him by the British Parliament.

Raja Ramanna was an Indian nuclear scientist and a prominent physicist. He is best known for his leadership directing the research integral for the development of Indian nuclear programme in its early stages. Having started and joined the nuclear programme in 1964, Ramanna worked under Homi Jehangir Bhabha, and later, after the disastrous death of Homi Bhaba, he was immediately elevated to become the directing officer of this programme.

Mr. Alex Cunningham was the first Director General of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). He was also called as the ‘father of Indian archaeology’.