The Sepoy mutiny of 1857 was a major turning point for the British rule in India. Great Britain was at the height of its colonial power and was exploiting the Indian sub continent for many resources. They maintained a relatively small army of around fifty thousand troops. The rest of the army was made up of Indian Sepoy's, the term for local soldiers recruited by the British.
Trouble was brewing for many years before it finally erupted on May 10, 1857. Although the most commonly held belief is that the Sepoy's mutinied because of their religious objection to the animal fats they believed were on the cartridges, there are in fact a host of other grievances.
By the early 1850's there were approximately three hundred thousand Sepoy's in the British army in India. They belonged to three main groups, the Bombay, Madras and Bengal regiments. Most of the recruits were Muslim or Hindu natives who lived absolutely by the rules and codes of their religious beliefs. This included strict adherence to the caste system that had been prevalent in India for many years.
Interestingly most of the Bengal Sepoy's were recruited from the higher castes and received special privileges. Some of these privileges included separate food and dining halls. The opportunity to observe their religious holidays and festivals, but one of the most crucial was their exemption from overseas service. Overseas service was viewed as demeaning for a high class Hindu.
The Sepoy's of the Bengal regiment received special privileges. They were allowed to eat their own foods and dine in separate facilities. They were free to practice their religion and observe their own festivals and holy days. Yet one of the most important privileges they received was the exemption from overseas service. Serving overseas was considered very demeaning for the high caste men.
The British government was anxious to expand and gain as much territory as possible. It was this fact that sparked much of the bad feeling and resentment. They began to change the rules and overseas service became part of the requirement of new recruits. The high caste families took this as a direct attack on them and the bad feeling began to spread. There was also changes of pay rates and pensions. Britain also began to send more officers over making the it more difficult for the native Indians to gain a promotion.
A rumor spread throughout the country that the British used pig fat to grease the cartridges. Although this was strenuously denied and changes were made, the bad feelings continued. The Indians saw the use of pork fat as a direct insult to their religious beliefs. They became increasingly agitated until the matters finally became violent on May 10.
Although the British government denied the animal fat rumor and made some changes to the cartridge casing the damage had already been done. The Indian soldiers felt that this was a massive insult to them and their beliefs. The Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 began and the fighting was vicious. Many lives were lost on both sides before the British regained control and instituted a new policy of crown rule in India.
Trouble was brewing for many years before it finally erupted on May 10, 1857. Although the most commonly held belief is that the Sepoy's mutinied because of their religious objection to the animal fats they believed were on the cartridges, there are in fact a host of other grievances.
By the early 1850's there were approximately three hundred thousand Sepoy's in the British army in India. They belonged to three main groups, the Bombay, Madras and Bengal regiments. Most of the recruits were Muslim or Hindu natives who lived absolutely by the rules and codes of their religious beliefs. This included strict adherence to the caste system that had been prevalent in India for many years.
Interestingly most of the Bengal Sepoy's were recruited from the higher castes and received special privileges. Some of these privileges included separate food and dining halls. The opportunity to observe their religious holidays and festivals, but one of the most crucial was their exemption from overseas service. Overseas service was viewed as demeaning for a high class Hindu.
The Sepoy's of the Bengal regiment received special privileges. They were allowed to eat their own foods and dine in separate facilities. They were free to practice their religion and observe their own festivals and holy days. Yet one of the most important privileges they received was the exemption from overseas service. Serving overseas was considered very demeaning for the high caste men.
The British government was anxious to expand and gain as much territory as possible. It was this fact that sparked much of the bad feeling and resentment. They began to change the rules and overseas service became part of the requirement of new recruits. The high caste families took this as a direct attack on them and the bad feeling began to spread. There was also changes of pay rates and pensions. Britain also began to send more officers over making the it more difficult for the native Indians to gain a promotion.
A rumor spread throughout the country that the British used pig fat to grease the cartridges. Although this was strenuously denied and changes were made, the bad feelings continued. The Indians saw the use of pork fat as a direct insult to their religious beliefs. They became increasingly agitated until the matters finally became violent on May 10.
Although the British government denied the animal fat rumor and made some changes to the cartridge casing the damage had already been done. The Indian soldiers felt that this was a massive insult to them and their beliefs. The Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 began and the fighting was vicious. Many lives were lost on both sides before the British regained control and instituted a new policy of crown rule in India.
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