RAS question
Who commanded the rebel forces in Delhi during the 1857 Revolt as the military commander?
Correct answer: (B) Bakht Khan.
Bakht Khan commanded the rebel forces in Delhi during the 1857 Revolt as their military commander.
Explanation
Bakht Khan fits the Delhi military-command clue because the Ministry of Culture volume identifies him as a Bareilly resident who had served as a Subedar in the British-Indian army's artillery before joining the rebels in 1857. It records that he marched to Delhi with rebel followers, treasury, arms and ammunition, reached the city on 2 July 1857, and was welcomed by Bahadur Shah Zafar, who appointed him Commander-in-Chief with the title of General. Bakht Khan, associated with the Bareilly brigade of the Bengal Army, became the military commander of the rebel forces in Delhi and received the title Sahib-i-Alam Bahadur from Bahadur Shah Zafar.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Kunwar Singh is wrong here because the Delhi command record names Bakht Khan, not Kunwar Singh, as the officer appointed Commander-in-Chief at Delhi.
- (C) Nana Sahib is wrong because the question asks for the military commander of the rebel forces in Delhi, and Bakht Khan is identified for that role.
- (D) Tantia Tope is wrong because Bakht Khan was appointed Commander-in-Chief at Delhi, not Tantia Tope.
Concept
This tests leadership in the Revolt of 1857, especially the Delhi centre under Bahadur Shah Zafar. RAS repeatedly asks such questions because modern Indian history often turns on matching uprising centres with their key rebel leaders.