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Sepoy Mutiny
The Capture of Delhi. Image Credits: WikipediaThe Sepoy Mutiny, also known as the Indian Mutiny or the First War of Independence, marked a significant turning point in Indian history. The rebellion began in Bengal and quickly spread to other cities such as Delhi, Agra, and Lucknow. The British had been imposing new rules that eroded Indian power and brought about unfairness, including the Doctrine of Lapse which allowed the British to take over a Hindu ruler's kingdom after their death if there was no natural heir.
Additionally, the Hindu society was becoming more westernized, with changes such as widow remarriage and the removal of the caste system, which caused unrest among the Indian people. The use of cartridges greased with animal fat further fueled suspicion that the British were trying to undermine Indian traditional society. This led to the outbreak of the mutiny, with sepoy Mangal Pandey leading an attack on British officers at a military garrison in Barrackpore. The mutiny spread to other cities, with soldiers proclaiming Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah II as the king.
The British retaliated with harsh methods, including tying rebels to cannons and obliterating them. Although the mutiny resulted in a lot of death and ferocity, it also heightened Indian nationalism and led to the reorganization of finances and the army by the British government, which abolished the East India Company in favor of direct rule.