Imperialism Part 6: The Sepoy Rebellion

One of the most well-known uprisings during the British colonization of India was a mutiny of the native troops known as sepoys.   When it began on Sunday, May 10, 1857 the Sepoy rebellion was a complete surprise to the British, many of whom were blind to the unrest that had been created. After Britain had gained two-thirds of India's land and imperialism had begun to affect every part of Indian life there was an incredible amount of tension that only needed a small spark to set off a huge revolt. The spark that came to begin this period of revolts was the introduction of the new, more accurate breech-loading Enfield rifle.  The loading of these rifles entailed the biting of a greased cartridge, which the sepoys feared was made with either cow or pig fat. The Hindus in the army held the animals sacred, while the Muslims found them to be unclean.The first event was the bloody uprising at the garrison in Meerut, in which the mutineers murdered every European they found. Throughout May and June the idea of mutiny spread. On July 17 it was discovered that 200 European men, women, and children had been murdered a month earlier in the mutiny and siege at Cawnpore. Suspected mutineers were tied to cannons and executed. In six months, the mutiny had been broken, and, within the next year, British power was restored.