Understanding the Question: Bajirao II's Adopted Son and Denied Rights

The question asks to identify the adopted son of Bajirao II who faced the issue of being denied his pension and title. This relates to a key event and figure leading up to the Indian Mutiny of 1857.

Identifying Bajirao II and His Successor

Bajirao II was the last Peshwa of the Maratha Empire. After his defeat by the British in the Third Anglo-Maratha War, he was exiled to Bithoor near Kanpur and granted a pension by the British East India Company. He had no biological children but adopted a son.

Upon Bajirao II's death in 1851, his adopted son sought to continue receiving the pension and inherit his father's title and estate. However, the British, under Governor-General Lord Dalhousie, refused to recognize the adopted son's claim, citing the Doctrine of Lapse (though this case was more about denying pension/title to an adopted heir than annexing a state, it reflected the same policy of not recognizing adopted successors). This denial deeply angered the adopted son.

Analyzing the Options

• Bahadur Shah Zafar: He was the last Mughal emperor, not the adopted son of Bajirao II. He was a figurehead during the 1857 revolt.
• Mangal Pandey: A sepoy of the British East India Company who is famous for his actions that contributed to the outbreak of the 1857 Mutiny, but he was not related to Bajirao II.
• Tatya Tope: A general in the 1857 Mutiny and a close associate of Nana Saheb, but not the adopted son of Bajirao II.
• Nana Saheb: Also known as Dhondu Pant, he was indeed the adopted son of the last Peshwa, Bajirao II. He was denied the pension and title after his father's death by the British, which became a major reason for his active participation and leadership in the 1857 revolt, particularly at Kanpur.

Conclusion: Nana Saheb's Grievance

Based on historical accounts, Nana Saheb was the adopted son of Bajirao II who was significantly affected by the British decision to stop the pension and deny his rights. This grievance played a crucial role in his decision to join the uprising of 1857.

Therefore, the individual who was the adopted son of Bajirao II and was denied his pension and title was Nana Saheb.

Revision Table: Key Figures of the 1857 Revolt

Additional Information: Causes of the 1857 Revolt

The denial of pension and title to Nana Saheb was one of several factors that contributed to the widespread discontent leading to the 1857 Indian Mutiny (also known as the First War of Indian Independence). Other causes included:

• Political Causes: Annexation of states under the Doctrine of Lapse (like Satara, Jhansi, Nagpur) and by alleged misrule (like Awadh).
• Economic Causes: High taxes, ruin of Indian industries, and economic exploitation.
• Social and Religious Causes: British interference in Indian social and religious customs, fear of conversion to Christianity, and policies like the abolition of Sati.
• Military Causes: Discrimination against Indian sepoys, lower pay and prospects compared to British soldiers, and the controversial greased cartridges issue.

Nana Saheb's personal grievance against the British due to the denial of his pension added to the existing political and economic discontent, making him a prominent leader in the uprising, particularly in the Kanpur region.