Act of Sepoys in Meerut

One of the first acts of the sepoys of Meerut was to rush to Delhi. This event took place during the Indian Rebellion of 1857, also known as the Sepoy Mutiny.

Background

The Sepoy Mutiny was a rebellion against British rule in India that began in 1857. The rebellion started among Indian soldiers, known as sepoys, who were serving in the British East India Company's army. The sepoys were upset with British practices, such as the use of animal fat in rifle cartridges, which was against their religious beliefs. They also resented the British for not giving them equal treatment.

Rush to Delhi

On May 10, 1857, a group of sepoys from Meerut refused to use the new rifle cartridges and were punished by their British officers. In response, the sepoys revolted and attacked their officers. They then marched to Delhi, which was the Mughal capital at the time, to seek support from the Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar.

When the sepoys arrived in Delhi, they were joined by other rebels, including Indian soldiers, civilians, and members of the royal family. The rebels declared Bahadur Shah Zafar as the emperor of India and began to take control of the city.

Impact

The rush to Delhi was one of the first acts of the sepoys during the Sepoy Mutiny. It was a significant event because it marked the beginning of the rebellion and showed that the sepoys were willing to take drastic measures to fight against British rule.

The rebellion continued for several months and spread to other parts of India. Although the rebellion was eventually suppressed by the British, it had a lasting impact on Indian society and politics. It led to the end of the East India Company's rule in India and the beginning of British colonial rule.