Start of the First War of Independence
Unverified
Date
May 10, 1857
Type
National
Author
anupjishnu
Location
Meerut,
Uttar Pradesh,
India
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Categories
Political & Governance
Military & Conflict
Event Details
On May 10, 1857, sepoys (Indian soldiers) of the British East India Company's army mutinied in the cantonment town of Meerut. This uprising quickly spread to Delhi, Agra, Kanpur, and Lucknow, evolving into a widespread rebellion against British rule.
Key Figures: Leaders like Mangal Pandey (who rebelled earlier in March), Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, Tatya Tope, and the last Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar became icons of the resistance.
Legacy: Although the rebellion was suppressed by 1858, it led to the end of the East India Company's rule. The British Crown took direct control of India, marking the beginning of the British Raj. It is often referred to in India as the First War of Independence.