The Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 was a mutiny within the British East India Company on 10 May 1857 in the town of Meerut. It soon grew into a rebellion that spread across large areas of the Gangetic plain and central India. It is also known as the first war of independence.
Sepoys were Indian infantry who served in western armies. With Sepoy support the occupation would have been much shorter. However Sepoys were clearly treated as being subordinate to the colonial armies and there were few opportunities to progress, which created some tension.
The majority of hostilities were around the modern day states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Delhi and resulted in the fall of Gwalior on 20 June. After the end of hostilities British forces regained Gwalior and the rebellion came to an end. Outside the affected area there was little disturbance. Apart from a few isolated incidents the rebellion didn't spread beyond the affected states although there was increased tension in surrounding areas.
Punishment for those involved in the mutiny was brutal. Mutineers were often executed without a trial. One method that was popular was adapted from the Mughal empire, the sentenced man would be secured to the end of a cannon and then blasted to pieces.
Methods of ending the revolt were extreme. In modern times it would certainly be considered an atrocity. When Delhi was retaken the British massacred everyone within the city walls sparing only some women and young children.
Newspapers in the United Kingdom heavily focused on reports of atrocities committed by the Sepoys. Modern allegations suggest that these stories were largely fabricated or greatly exaggerated, however they helped to secure extensive proletarian support.
One year after the sepoy mutiny of 1857 the East India Company was replaced by direct control from the British Raj. As a result the crown and Raj took direct control over the whole of India.
Sepoys were Indian infantry who served in western armies. With Sepoy support the occupation would have been much shorter. However Sepoys were clearly treated as being subordinate to the colonial armies and there were few opportunities to progress, which created some tension.
The majority of hostilities were around the modern day states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Delhi and resulted in the fall of Gwalior on 20 June. After the end of hostilities British forces regained Gwalior and the rebellion came to an end. Outside the affected area there was little disturbance. Apart from a few isolated incidents the rebellion didn't spread beyond the affected states although there was increased tension in surrounding areas.
Punishment for those involved in the mutiny was brutal. Mutineers were often executed without a trial. One method that was popular was adapted from the Mughal empire, the sentenced man would be secured to the end of a cannon and then blasted to pieces.
Methods of ending the revolt were extreme. In modern times it would certainly be considered an atrocity. When Delhi was retaken the British massacred everyone within the city walls sparing only some women and young children.
Newspapers in the United Kingdom heavily focused on reports of atrocities committed by the Sepoys. Modern allegations suggest that these stories were largely fabricated or greatly exaggerated, however they helped to secure extensive proletarian support.
One year after the sepoy mutiny of 1857 the East India Company was replaced by direct control from the British Raj. As a result the crown and Raj took direct control over the whole of India.
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