Sepoy Rebellion

Sepoy Rebellion, or Indian Mutiny, mutiny of Sepoys (Hindi, “troops”) in the Bengal Army of the East India Company. It began at Meerut, near Delhi, in May 1857 and spread over northern India. The immediate cause was the issuing of cartridges greased with the fat of cows (sacred to Hindus) and pigs (unclean to Muslims), but the underlying cause, years of increasing British domination, led to a general revolt that was not suppressed until Mar. 1858. As a result, the British government took over the rule of India.

See also: India.