A contemporary, conservative leader of England who called 1857 a "National Rising", was:

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 3:
Benjamin Disraeli, a prominent conservative leader and member of the British Parliament at the time, was one of the few contemporary British figures who departed from the official narrative of the Revolt of 1857 being merely a "Sepoy Mutiny." On July 27, 1857, during a debate in the House of Commons, Disraeli delivered a famous speech where he described the events as a "National Rising" (or "National Revolt"). His position was rooted in the belief that the unrest was not limited to the military but was an expression of deep-seated discontent among various sections of Indian society against British policies, suggesting it was a significant political and social movement rather than just a military incident. This stance was controversial but recognized the broad nature of the opposition.

The incorrect option is 1:
James Outram was a British general who served in India and held the opposite view to Disraeli. He famously dismissed the Revolt of 1857 as a Muslim conspiracy using Hindu grievances as a pretext. His analysis focused on internal religious and political factors rather than seeing it as a broad national upheaval.

The incorrect option is 2:
W. Taylor, another British official stationed in India, contributed to the colonial viewpoint by labeling the revolt as primarily a military mutiny orchestrated by discontented sepoys. His assessment, like that of many other British officers, failed to acknowledge the wider civilian participation and the underlying nationalist sentiment that Disraeli pointed out.

The incorrect option is 4:
Sir John Lawrence was a key figure during the revolt, primarily known for his efficient administration and role in suppressing the rebellion in Punjab. As a British administrator, he saw the event as a mutiny—a failure of military discipline—and not as a national movement seeking independence, focusing on its suppression rather than its political legitimacy.