Also known by names like the Indian Revolt of 1857, the Indian Mutiny, and the Indian Rebellion of 1857, the Sepoy Mutiny is considered to be the first major uprising against British rule in India by Indian people. The rebellion began in Meerut, a town located in the state of Uttar Pradesh, and gradually spread to Delhi, Kanpur, West Bengal, Lucknow, Gwalior, and other parts of India.
By the 1850s, East India Company had established a stronghold on the country’s political and social aspects. It had transformed itself into a major military operation with the intention of taking control of every Indian state whose king had died without an heir to the throne. For this purpose, a large number of Indian soldiers (called sepoys) were employed who were directly under the command of British officers. Initially, these native soldiers showed great pride to be a part of the British company but with time, they started questioning the real intentions and motivations of their employers.
In 1857, things got really out of control as Britishers introduced a new type of rifle cartridge which was greased with a substance made from cows and pigs’ fat. This was extremely offensive to the religious sentiments of both, Hindus and Muslims. They refused to use these cartridges and soon the situation aggravated. In March 1857, a soldier named Mangal Pandey fired the first bullet of this rebellion and killed two British officers.
In Meerut, mutineers started attacking British civilians including women and children. Around the same time, violent revolts started erupting in Delhi. Several civilians, both Indian and British were killed. In Kanpur, more than 200 British officers and civilians were massacred. The fight continued for about a year but eventually, the British army was able to capture the mutineers who were then either killed on the spot or were executed publicly to set an example. While regaining control, the British army dismantled several Indian villages. This revolt ultimately led to the disbandment of the East India Company. Britishers reorganized their position in the country by passing the new Government of India Act 1858 which allowed them to administer Indian affairs directly under the British government.