Thursday 11 October 2012

The Significance Of The Sepoy Mutiny Of 1857

By Alexandra Anderson


The Sepoy Mutiny of 1857, also known as the Indian Rebellion of 1857, is one of the most significant events in the entire history of India. To the people of this land, this rebellion was known as a war for independence. This was the so called trigger that gave confidence to the people of India to fight back their oppressors who were the British during that time.

Being one of the most powerful countries in the entire world at that time, the ruler of Britain had a dream to expand his territory. Since they had a lot of resources at that time, they sent people to Asia in order to find countries to colonize. Eventually, the stumbled upon India which they believed was an uncivilized country. In their minds, they viewed this as a good deed because they would be turning a backward country into a more advanced and cultured one.

Great Britain eventually established the British East India Company which recruited native soldiers into their camps in order to serve Britain. The British army then trained these natives in armed and unarmed combat as well as military strategy so that they could be the mightiest British army in all of India. These troops who were called the Sepoys, eventually increased in number and became more than the European troops.

During the course of the English rule, there were indeed many small rebellions made by the Sepoys but were vanquished instantly by the might of the British forces. A lot of freedom fighters popped out because a lot of the natives wanted their old lives back. They just did not believe that another country should rule their home.

Of course the number of freedom fighters increased throughout time until the big army of Sepoys launched a massive attack against the European forces. The one event that sparked the anger of the natives was when the military commanded them to use rifles that had grease inside the cartridges. Now if one were to reload his rifle, then he would need to bite out a part of cartridge in order to make it work. The problem was that the grease was said to be made of either pig or cow fat which totally offended the Hindu and Muslim soldiers.

Aside from that, the Indians that belonged to the higher caste system also could not take the colonizers anymore because the British interfered with the long time traditions of India. They used this rebellion to fire up the patriotic spirit of the people. Eventually, some of the Indian civilians joined in on the rebellion.

Many Europeans were killed in cold blood as the mutineers went to Delhi to crown their ruler Bahadur Shah. Two hundred people were said to be murdered during the blood bath. Not even the European women and children were spared from death.

Eventually, the British were able to subdue the mutineers and punish all of those who were involved. Although the Britain stated this event as a classic rebellion that they could easily handle, it was indeed apparent on how much a threat these freedom fighters were. The Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 was said to be war that lighted up other freedom wars that transpired after.




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