Question

Who is the prominent figure in 1857 Revolt hanged by the British on July 1857 for distributing seditious material and organizing armed resistance?

• A. Mangal Pandey
• B. Peer Ali Khan
• C. Jhalkari Bai
• D. Tantia Tope

Hint:

Remember the association:

• Mangal Pandey -- Barrackpore uprising (April 1857 execution).

• Peer Ali Khan -- Patna revolutionary, hanged in July 1857.

• Tantia Tope -- Guerrilla warfare leader, executed in 1859.

• Jhalkari Bai -- Close associate of Rani Lakshmibai during the Jhansi campaign.
For Bihar-related questions on the Revolt of 1857, Peer Ali Khan is an important name to remember.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Concept: The Revolt of 1857, often referred to as the First War of Indian Independence, was one of the most significant uprisings against British rule in India. Although many leaders and revolutionaries participated in the movement, several lesser-known heroes made extraordinary sacrifices in different regions of the country. Among them was Peer Ali Khan, a courageous revolutionary from Bihar who played an important role in spreading anti-British sentiments and organizing resistance against colonial authorities. The British administration viewed the circulation of revolutionary literature, secret communication networks, and the mobilization of armed resistance as serious threats to their rule. Consequently, many revolutionaries were arrested and executed for their involvement in such activities.

Step 1: Understanding the role of Peer Ali Khan during the Revolt of 1857. Peer Ali Khan was a bookseller based in Patna, Bihar. While operating his bookshop, he secretly engaged in revolutionary activities against British rule. His contributions included:

• Distributing anti-British pamphlets and revolutionary literature.

• Encouraging people to oppose colonial authority.

• Organizing networks of resistance against the British administration.

• Assisting revolutionaries involved in planning armed rebellion.
Because of his active involvement, he became an important figure in the uprising in Bihar.

Step 2: Examining the circumstances of his arrest and execution. During the Revolt of 1857, British authorities launched extensive operations to suppress revolutionary activities. Peer Ali Khan was arrested after the British discovered his role in:

• Spreading seditious material.

• Organizing resistance against colonial rule.

• Supporting revolutionary groups in Patna.
Even under severe interrogation, he reportedly refused to disclose the names of his associates. As a result, the British sentenced him to death and publicly hanged him on: \[ \boxed{7\ \text{July}\ 1857} \] His execution made him one of the earliest martyrs of the freedom struggle in Bihar.

Step 3: Analyzing Option (A) Mangal Pandey. Mangal Pandey was a soldier in the 34th Bengal Native Infantry and is remembered for his role in the events at Barrackpore that helped ignite the Revolt of 1857. Important facts:

• He attacked British officers on 29 March 1857.

• He was arrested and court-martialed.

• He was executed on 8 April 1857.
Although he was a key revolutionary figure, he was not the person hanged in July 1857 for distributing seditious material in Patna. Therefore, Option (A) is incorrect.

Step 4: Analyzing Option (B) Peer Ali Khan. Peer Ali Khan perfectly matches all details given in the question:

• Revolutionary from Patna.

• Distributed anti-British literature.

• Organized resistance against British rule.

• Arrested by British authorities.

• Hanged in July 1857.
Hence, Option (B) is correct.

Step 5: Analyzing Option (C) Jhalkari Bai. Jhalkari Bai was a brave warrior associated with Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi. She is famous for:

• Serving in the Durga Dal.

• Resembling Rani Lakshmibai.

• Helping the Queen escape during the siege of Jhansi.
However, she was not executed by hanging in July 1857 for distributing revolutionary literature. Therefore, Option (C) is incorrect.

Step 6: Analyzing Option (D) Tantia Tope. Tantia Tope was one of the most skilled military commanders of the Revolt of 1857. Important facts include:

• He conducted guerrilla warfare against British forces.

• He continued resistance even after major centers of revolt were suppressed.

• He was eventually captured and executed in 1859.
Since his execution occurred much later and under different circumstances, he does not satisfy the conditions mentioned in the question. Therefore, Option (D) is incorrect.

Step 7: Final conclusion. The revolutionary who was hanged by the British in July 1857 for distributing seditious material and organizing armed resistance was: \[ \boxed{\text{Peer Ali Khan}} \] Therefore, the correct answer is: \[ \boxed{\text{(B) Peer Ali Khan}} \]