First War of Independence

This event occurred in 1857 not as a result of any single event, but as an culmination of many happenings over time. The Company's army recruited large number of Hindu and Muslim sepoys as native soldiers. There were nearly 300,000 sepoys in the army and the British were about 50,000. There was huge difference.

The forces were divided into three presidencies. When compared to Madras Army and Bombay Army, the Bengal Army recruited higher castes like Rajputs and Brahmins. The selection was not based on the physical fitness, willingness, courage and strength instead, it was more on caste basis.

What were the factors that led to a revolt?

• First was the policy of recruiting higher caste Brahmins in the army, thus causing misunderstanding and rift within the sepoys.

• Second was the rumour that the British were converting hindus and muslims to Christianity. The British were also working towards abolition of Sati (a practice of the wife killing herself when her husband died).

• Then there were other smaller issues such as delayed promotions to Indian soldiers and exclusion from Foreign Service.

• It has been said that the spark to start the mutiny was over the issue of rifle cartridges (ammunition used in rifles) in which it was rumored that they were made from pig or cow fat. To use the ammunition one had to use teeth to bite and tear away the wrappings. This went against the sentiments of both the hindus and muslims.

Mangal Pandey was born in a high caste hindu family in Uttar Pradesh (Ballia). He joined the 34th Bengal native infantry as a sepoy at a young age. The legend describes him as a 9ft. tall man. He got hugely enraged by the introduction of the New Enfield rifle. It was rumoured that the cartridge was made up of animal fat mainly from Cows and Pigs. To use this rifle the soldiers were to bite off the cartridge.

Enraged by this and to show his anger he decided to take violent action against the Britishers. He fired upon Lt. Baugh the Adjutant of the 34th Bengal native Infantry on 29th march 1857. He encouraged his fellow sepoys to join him. He was later arrested in injured condition and was sentenced to death. He was hanged on 8th April 1857, ten days before the fixed date of execution. The daring and dashing act of Mangal Pandey triggered off series of revolts all over the country. The Indian government issued a stamp to commemorate him in 1984.

The revolt started earlier than schedule because a sepoy named Mangal Pandey hit and wounded a British sergeant. He was later arrested and hanged for causing a mutiny. This mutiny led to a number of other such revolts against the East India Company. Brave Indians like Jhansi ki Rani, Tantia Tope and other communities of Rajputs and Jats, revolted.

The Company was slow to act but later they managed to stop the rebellion with superior firepower and weapons. These revolts led to the dismissal of the East India Company and establishment of a direct rule by the Queen of England. The army organization also changed.