Review Questions 1. What were the Indian soldiers in the British East India Army called ?
The Sepoy Mutiny – 27.4 THE TURNING POINT Governor of Bombay: Mountstuart Elphinstone referred to Sepoy Army as “ a delicate & dangerous machine, which a little mismanagement may easily turn against us” What does he mean by this?
#4 - AIM: What was the Sepoy Rebellion?
Sepoy Mutiny [1857] Gossip spread - cartridges for new Enfield rifles greased with pork & beef! Cow sacred to Hindus Muslims do not eat pork 85-90 Sepoys refuse to accept cartridges Sepoys jailed & shackled
The Violence [May 10, 1857] Sepoys march to Delhi & meet Indian soldiers - capture Then spreads to Northern & Central India took EIC more than a year to regain control – aid from British government British Government takes direct rule in India aka. Raj
The Sepoy Rebellion was characterized by bloody massacres The Sepoy Rebellion was characterized by bloody massacres. Many British women and children were killed. The British took fierce revenge with massacres of their own. Thousands of blameless Indians were whipped, blown from cannons, forced to clean bloodied streets with their tongues and then hanged. Source: Smithsonian article “Pass It On” 05/24/2012
Why didn’t the Sepoys prevail? Strength of British Army DIVISION: Hindus do not want to return to Mughal rule - Muslims do not want Hindu rule - Sikhs support British Raj: British rule under Queen Victoria RESULT: Increased distrust between the British and the Indians
Nationalism in India If Indians don’t modernize – oppressed Some say end caste, move from the old traditions. Growing nationalism leads to: [1885] Indian National Congress [1906] Muslim League 1900s - Call for India self government