The Indian Mutiny, also called the Indian Rebellion of 1857 or the First War of Independence, began at Meerut, where sepoys of the East India Company's Bengal Army rose against their officers. Resentment had built over grievances including rumours that new rifle cartridges were greased with animal fat offensive to Hindus and Muslims, as well as annexations of Indian states and the pace of social change. The rebels reached Delhi and proclaimed the elderly Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar as their figurehead, and the uprising spread to Kanpur, Lucknow and Jhansi, where Rani Lakshmibai became a famous leader. British forces and loyal troops retook the main centres over the next year. In 1858 the British Crown took over the government of India from the East India Company.
Before and after
- 1857Rise of spiritism
- 24 January 1857Founding of University of Calcutta
- 22 February 1857Birth of Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell
- 22 February 1857Birth of Heinrich Hertz
- from 10 May 1857 to 20 June 1858Indian Mutiny of 1857
- 13 May 1857Birth of Ronald Ross
- 31 May 1857Birth of Pius XI
- from 8 June 1857 to 21 September 1857Siege of Delhi
- 5 July 1857Birth of Clara Zetkin
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The era
This moment belongs to the Industrial era (1760 CE to 1914 CE), steam, factories and revolutions. You can also browse everything in the 19th century.