The First War of Independence
The first major armed uprising against British rule, marking the beginning of organized resistance.
A Spark that Ignited a Nation
The 1857 Rebellion, also known as the Sepoy Mutiny, was a pivotal moment in the history of British India. The rebellion started among Indian soldiers (sepoys) but quickly spread to include various sections of society, fueled by widespread resentment against the British East India Company’s oppressive policies, economic exploitation, and social reforms. It was the first organized challenge to British authority on a large scale.
1857
The Year of the
Great Rebellion
Mangal Pandey
The First Spark
of the Mutiny
A Timeline of Resistance and Rebellion
March 29, 1857: Mangal Pandey’s Mutiny
Sepoy Mangal Pandey of the 34th Bengal Native Infantry attacked his British officers, marking the beginning of the rebellion. He was later executed, but his act inspired many others.
May 10, 1857: The March on Delhi
The sepoys in Meerut mutinied, marched to Delhi, and declared the Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar as the Emperor of Hindustan, giving the rebellion a political head.
June 1857: Siege of Cawnpore
Under the leadership of Nana Sahib, the rebels laid siege to the British forces in Cawnpore (now Kanpur), a brutal event that led to the massacre of British men, women, and children.
September 1857: The Fall of Delhi
After a fierce siege, the British forces recaptured Delhi, marking a major turning point in the war. Bahadur Shah Zafar was arrested and exiled to Burma.