- What caused it?
- Mutiny had begun among Sepoys in Bengal army, mainly peasant soldiers from north India proud of their military status.
- Has been argued that Mutiny began because of issues with Enfield rifles being greased in animal fat, which offended both Hindu and Muslim religious sensibilities.
- Real cause was that nobles and landlords were deprived of land by Governor-General Dalhousie. Peasants also rebelled due to resentment towards taxation.
- What happened?
- Sepoys in Bengal refused to obey orders in February 1857 with many other battalions following suit. At Meerut, outside Delhi, sepoys turned on British officers and mob set upon local Europeans. Seized control of most northern cities (including Cawnpore) and there were attempts to resurrect old Mughal emperor. Some rebels wanted to get back at neighbours.
Cost of the rebellion in terms of human suffering was immense even though not much of India was touched. Emperor’s sons were executed so remaining rebels would stop. Villages were burnt in Delhi and Lucknow, mutineers were tortured, women and children murdered and British rule wasn’t entirely reasserted until June 1858 following final battle at Gwalior.