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Revolt of 1857 and Reforms in the Indian Army Module - III

Military History of the
Colonial Era

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Note
REVOLT OF 1857 AND

REFORMS IN THE INDIAN ARMY

The British faced a number of resistance from Indians throughout their occupation of
India. There were mutinies, battles fought, but they were cunning and had superior fire
arms which gave them victories. You learnt about the wars fought by Indians to drive
away the British, in the previous lesson. There were some important mutinies which as
a student of history you must know and understand the importance of fighting for one's
rights and freedom. The mutinies also brought in reforms among the military. In this
lesson, let us see the various mutinies and the first war of independence that took place
and also learn about the military reforms.

Objectives

After studying this lesson you will be able to:
 analyse the reasons for mutinies that happened during the rule of the British and
 explain the military reforms.

11.1 Vellore Mutiny by Madras Native Infantry

As a student of Military history one should know or study about why Vellore Mutiny
also known as Indian Mutiny took place in the year 1806. This incident is considered
to be the first revolt against the British who colonized us. This mutiny by the native
Indians was due to a change in dress code ordered by the British, in which the Muslims
were ordered to shave their beards and trim the moustaches and the Hindus prohibited
from wearing a tilak on their fore head. General Sir John Craddock who was the
Commander-in-Chief of the Madras Army ordered the sepoys to wear a round hat
which resembled like the one used by the Europeans and gave the impression as if the
Indians had converted to Christianity. All these issues triggered the sentiments of
Muslims and the Hindus and also the sepoys of the Indian natives were ill treated and
punished. In this revolt, the mutineers seized Vellore fort and killed or wounded more
than 150 British troops.

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MILITARY HISTORY 71