Sepoy Rebellion Notes

Sepoy Rebellion

Social and Religious Tensions

• Sati:
  • A Hindu custom primarily practiced by upper classes.
  • Involved a widow throwing herself on her husband's funeral fire.
  • British officials worked to ban Sati.
• British Social Reforms:
  • British officials introduced Western education to bring social change by the early 1800s.
  • Efforts were made to end slavery and the caste system.
  • The British viewed their own religions as superior to Indian religions.
  • Actions were taken to improve the status of women.
• Hindu Widow Remarriage:
  • The East India Company passed a law allowing Hindu widows to remarry.
  • Hindus perceived this, along with other moves, as a Christian conspiracy to undermine their beliefs. Specifically moves requiring sepoys to serve anywhere undermined them.

Growing Discontent in the 1850s

• East India Company's Actions:
  • The East India Company made unpopular moves that grew discontent that ultimately led to the Sepoy Rebellion.
• Sepoy Requirements:
  • Sepoys (Indian soldiers in British service) were required to serve anywhere, including overseas.
  • Overseas travel was an offense against religion for high-caste Hindus.
• Controversial Cartridges:
  • New rifles issued in 1857 required troops to bite off cartridge tips before loading.
  • Cartridges were greased with animal fat: either from cows (sacred to Hindus) or pigs (forbidden to Muslims).
  • Troops who refused to load rifles were imprisoned.

Rebellion and Aftermath

• Sepoy Uprising:
  • Angry sepoys rose up against British officers.
  • The Sepoy Rebellion spread across northern and central India.
  • Sepoy regiments marched to Delhi, the old Mughal capital, and hailed the last Mughal ruler as their leader.
• Violence and Retaliation:
  • Sepoys massacred British men, women, and children in some areas.
  • The British crushed the revolt and retaliated by torching villages and slaughtering thousands of unarmed Indians.