The Sepoy Rebellion

The Sepoy Rebellion in India in 1857, is on of the most famous and important uprisings of European colony during the age of new imperialism. Sepoys were native citizens recruited as troops for the British Army in India. These Indians were trained to fight and use British weapons. It soon came to be that sepoys became the largest force for Britain in India. They greatly outnumbered the British soldiers. Small revolts occured before the rebellion of 1857, but were easily and brutaly suppressed. Tension began to rise between the sepoy and British soldiers. When new guns were issued with cartrages greased in cow or pig fat, the Muslim and Hindu sepoys became greatly angered and turned on the British. Cartritages needed to bit off before use and it was an outrage that either the fat of the Hindu's sacred cow or the Muslim's unclean pig would be used to grease them. The rebellion lasted until 1858 when the British crushed the forces and implemented direct control over India. The revolt was unsuccessful, but have been said to be used as inspiration to later Indian fighter for freedom and independence.