How did 1857 Indian Sepoy Rebellion start? | Sepoy Mutiny in India 1857

Part 1 in my series on the Indian Sepoy Rebellion of 1857-58.
How did the Sepoy rebellion / mutiny start?
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/ @thehistorychap
The Sepoy rebellion (called by some the Indian Mutiny and by others the First War of Independence) was the most critical challenge to British rule in India in the 19th century.
It resulted in the loss of thousands of British and Indian lives, it saw savagery that rivals any modern conflict and saw the snuffing out of the last vestiges of the Mughal Empire, the end of the powerful East India Company and the establishment of the British Raj.
It is an event that has shaped India, it shaped Britain and its idea of empire and it continues to impact on the world today.
Welcome to my first talk in a series on the Sepoy Mutiny in India in 1857-58.
In this particular episode, we will explore at why and how the rebellion broke out.
I will follow up in the coming weeks with the war itself: the siege and storming of Delhi, the massacre at Cawnpore, the siege of Lucknow, and the Indian warrior queen, the Rani of Jahnsi.
Along the way I will also cover the savagery conducted by both sides.
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Whilst the traditional reason given for the Sepoy mutiny was their refusal to use a new cartridge that they believed was smeared in animal fat, this was more of a pretext than the fundamental reason.
Resentment had been growing against East India Company rule in many quarters.
Hereditary rulers were losing power and status.
Religious Indians feared the British wanted to convert them to Christianity.
Others resented the general replacement of Indian customs and laws with British ones.
Landowners resented losing rights to peasants.
Within the army, there was already disquiet over stagnation of wages, lack of promotion opportunities and a growing gulf between Indian sepoys and their British officers.
The Hindus in the Bengal army were also alarmed that the East India Company was recruiting a growing number of Muslims and Sikhs into their ranks - diluting their own identity and influence.
All it needed was a cause to coalesce around...and that is where the new cartridges came in.
As Indian (Hindu) sepoys refused to even touch the cartridges tensions grew.
Across northern Indian chappatis (flat bread) started to be passed from village to village.
No one knew where they came from or why they were being passed, but it was seen as a sign of monumental change.
That change came in May 1857 when the Indian troops at Meerut mutineed, killing British officers and civilians, before marching on (and seizing) the old Mughal capital, Delhi.
There, they captured the undefended magazine and were given the endorsement of the ageing Mughal Emperor.
Across northern India, sepoys began to follow their lead...
#sepoymutiny #indianmutiny #sepoyrebellion
Chapters
0:00 Introduction
0:59 East India Company
2:00 Reasons for 1857 Revolt
5:26 Cartridge Crisis
6:19 Mystery Chapatis
7:54 19th Bengal Mutiny
9:21 Mangal Pandey
11:21 Meerut Mutiny
16:47 Rebels seize Delhi
18:23 Conclusion
19:18 The History Chap
Sources include: The Indian Mutiny (Saul David), The Indian Mutiny 1857-58 (Gregory Fremont-Barnes), National Army Museum, Wikipedia, The British Empire Magazine (Vol 2).
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/ thehistorychap
My name is Chris Green and I love to share stories from British history. Not just because they are interesting but because, good or bad, they have shaped the world we live in today.
History should not be stuffy or a long list of dates or kings & queens.
So rather than lectures or KZbin animations, I tell stories that bring the past to life.
My aim is to be chat as if I were having a coffee or meal with you. Jean in Maryland, USA recently wrote: "Chris, is the history teacher I wish I had at school!"
Just for the record, I do have a history degree in Medieval & Modern history from the University of Birmingham.
Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Chris Green Communication Ltd t/a The History Chap. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Chris Green Communication Ltd does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.

[@johnhudghton3535]

Very interesting. My Father was born in India ( which at one time nearly got him deported ) his Father and Great Grandfather, lived and worked there as engineers in the foundries of the Indian railway. I heard many of these stories from my Dad and your account - as his was - is balanced and accurate. My old man had nothing but respect for Indian people whom he always befriended since being sent "home" to Britain to escape the massacre of partition at the age of 14.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[@brianveeneman921]

That is interesting. Did he ever go back? It sounds like your family lived there for a good 50 years or so. Is that without ever going back to England? Did they adopt a lot of Indian mannerisms? This is really interesting to me. Of course, as an American, I know people right now who were somewhere till they barely got out before a massacre or some kind of violent retribution. The big difference is, they had to leave their own country and come here or the taliban would play Buzkashi with them being in the middle. Alive. Just like they did to the Soviets.

[@briandubois-gilbert8182]

Really appreciate you covering this era in the British rule of India and the horrific and tragic consequences that happened in this conflict. Your narrative of its causes is testament to your hard work researching this and presenting it fairly with a well-rounded perspective as should by a historian with integrity and passion as I consider you are. Looking forward to your episodes of this conflict.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for your support.

[@shinystones]

Thank you Chris, quite fascinating. Can't wait for your future offerings on such an important part of Indian and British history.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you are enjoying

[@theimmortalgrenadier3851]

Finally a decent and informative video on this very forgotten and underrated topic! It's the first episode of a series? Ohh, just Marvelous! Many thank's for your quality content, as always Chris! I'm proud of being your subscriber! Keep up the great work!

[@TheHistoryChap]

That's very kind, thank you.

[@Grenadier311]

Nice handle.

[@theimmortalgrenadier3851]

@@Grenadier311 Do you mean my nickname? If so, thanks bud. Its based on the Old Guard of Napoleon I. Hell if they weren't immortal, i dont know who else could be 😂👍

[@ropeburnsrussell]

I am so happy you are covering this. I walked the Lucknow battlefield years ago and I'm eager to hear your take on that.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Coming in a couple of weeks. I envy you travelling those battlefields.

[@ropeburnsrussell]

@@TheHistoryChap I had to change the way I saw things quickly as my Indian hosts did not consider this a mutiny or rebellion. It was very much the first war of independence and I kept my admiration for the defenders under wraps. Very different from the Boys Own perspective I had at that time.

[@rodsinclair2573]

I too went to the Residency in Lucknow some time ago while in India, it was well worth the visit.

[@robertcottam8824]

@@ropeburnsrussell That view has very-much arisen over the last thirty years or so. I found no such attitude, in the area, as recently as the 1980s.

[@chriscann7627]

Hi Chris, The Mutiny/rebellion was the Special Subject of my History degree, and I wrote my final 12k dissertation on the Jhansi-Gwalior Campaign of 1858. I'd be very happy to share my knowledge and research if you would find it helpful. A very good out outline of the causes btw - it is interesting to note that even Nehru, the father of modern India rejected the idea of the rising as "The First War of Indian Independence".

[@TheHistoryChap]

Chris, that's very interesting about Nehru's view on it (I am in that camp too). Would be interested in picking your brains. Please drop me a line via my website (www.thehistorychap.com) so we can have a private conversation.

[@odomangulati7079]

Here is Nehru describing himself in his own words, "You realize, Galbraith," Nehru had once told him, "I am the last Englishman to rule in India."

[@abhishekrana7778]

Kudos to the your "knowledge" of history..😀😀😀. Nehru is not "father of modern india"...😀😀😀😀

[@chriscann7627]

@@abhishekrana7778 who would you nominate? Imperial Japan's "useful idiot" Bose?

[@tejasjain4183]

​@@chriscann7627 He was the reason due which naval mutiny took place in India which is last nail in coffin for Britishers in India

[@rodeastell3615]

Great video as always. Looking forward to part two.

[@TheHistoryChap]

A bit more fighting in part 2.

[@renagade2715]

Hi Chris, I came to university hoping I was going to learn about history like this. Instead, my morale has been crushed by the intersectionalist, post-marxian drivel that the universities force down our throats. But after re-watching your channel over the last few days you have re-ignited my passion, and you have reminded me why I came to study this subject in the first place. Thank you. If I make it through this course I want you to know that you helped me on the way.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Very kind of you. Hang in there.

[@Username_not_found__try_again]

Well bud university isn’t for everyone ! Either grow a pair and learn or just go get a job pal. “post-Marxian drivel 🤓” lmao

[@robertcottam8824]

At which university are you studying, Tyrolian? Perhaps I can help with an alternative bibliography? Lectures are all very well but you can't beat countless library-hours. I'm hard-of-hearing so had little option other than to get a booklist, hit The Bodleian, and crack on. Which neo-or-post-Marxist authors are you being bombarded with, by the way? I'd be very happy to supply antidotes, dependent on subject areas. Good luck!

[@bibekjung7404]

ALMIGHTY GOD KABIR is the father of all souls that JESUS, MOHAMMAD, GURU NANAK, VEDH was telling in BIBLE, QURAN, GURU GRANTHA SAHEB

[@mawhinney2.026]

Good luck. This guys a great historian

[@harryshriver6223]

An amazing story, I truly enjoy learning aspects of history I was not aware about, I am looking forward to the next installment in the series, primo.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Plenty more coming your way.

[@jeffbruin5487]

As always, well explained! Looking forward to the next episode!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you. Working on it now.

[@jakehopkinson2031]

I so often find myself spurred on to researching the topics you cover, it's worth noting my thanks. You provide such a well crafted foundation, which is then easy to expand and build on. Gratitude!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for your kind words.

[@andrewsteele7663]

Good morning, Chris, as always, your story telling is a vision. I could feel the dust & flies of the parade ground, as the court martial was held. Classic rumor control, and now I have to wait until the next episode, Cheers and thanks for a brilliant story telling.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Andrew, I'm glad that you enjoyed it. Have a great weekend.

[@andrewsteele7663]

@@TheHistoryChapNo worries, the India uprising is a whole in my history knowledge. Looking forward to the next episodes, Cheers

[@lesliepun3494]

Thank you for another engaging and entertainingly presented video. Look forward to the next chapter. Keep it up, Chris.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching.

[@joeritchie4554]

WOW! This is a part of history that I had never heard of before. Thank you for posting this and teaching me something new!

[@TheHistoryChap]

My pleasure. Thanks for watching.

[@josestirtabudi6247]

Thanks for covering this! Was looking into it the other day and couldnt find anything indepth so this is spot on!!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@stephenbrown1077]

A most interesting account of what is an integral part of our history and that of India who've shared such a close relationship, still seen in many ways. Thankyou so much for this video I look forward to the continuing series.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching

[@trajan098117]

Excellent episode. Thanks for starting a series on this subject!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Getting a lot of interest and comments.

[@johnedreslin]

I've often wanted to know more about this topic. Thanks for starting the series. I look forward to the coming episodes.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you are enjoying.

[@jon9021]

At last! I’ve been waiting for episodes on the Indian Mutiny for ages. Huzzah!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Hope you enjoyed it.

[@jon9021]

@@TheHistoryChap I did sir.

[@scottp9048]

Another gem Chris, looking forward to the rest !

[@TheHistoryChap]

Coming very soon.

[@alexanderkomosa2254]

I enjoyed this video greatly. I look forward to seeing the rest of this series

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching.

[@simonkevnorris]

A nice start. I'm looking forward for this series on the Mutiny.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching

[@davidsexton6604]

Great telling of Mutiny / Uprising! Can’t wait for more !

[@TheHistoryChap]

Coming soon

[@Adibarum]

Really a very learned,interesting and informative talk on the beginnings of the Indian Mutiny, i very much look forward to your future talks on the subject Chris

[@TheHistoryChap]

Very kind of you, thanks.

[@paulcheney3636]

Hi Chris Thanks so much for this series. I thought no one else cared about this subject so I'm so grateful for your content cheers squire!!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for your support.

[@stigg333]

Fascinating story and really looking forward to this series, thank you and stay well.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for your support

[@simplyphil.photography164]

Hi Chris, l wish you were my history teacher when l was at school, waiting for part 2, looking forward

[@TheHistoryChap]

Very kind of you. Thanks.

[@glynprice3815]

You remind of my last history teacher. Unfortunately long since passed. A man with passion for history who passed it on to his pupils. Thanks

[@niyanlan8928]

really great subject for a video - very well chosen and really well put together - great stuff, keep it up!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Many thanks for your kind comment.

[@mudyinsquall]

Subbed, perfect timing as I'm just starting to learn about this period! Look forward to the next videos.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for your support. Hope you enjoy the series.

[@jb-fy1oc]

Great as ever cant wait for the next one

[@TheHistoryChap]

Working on it now!

[@johnmacpherson9629]

I am hooked on this Channel Informative & delivery is excellent

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you for your support. Please make sure you subscribe to my channel

[@darrenmarsh8830]

Excellent presentation, thankyou once again Chris

[@TheHistoryChap]

My pleasure. Thanks for your support.

[@jaisuryabanerjee]

An absolutely brilliant and unbiased coverage of the events leading up to 1857. Thank you for this talk.

[@TheHistoryChap]

My pleasure. Thanks for watching.

[@kmorton54]

I was waiting for your videos on the Indian Mutiny. Great first video

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you enjoyed.

[@beverleyyoung3895]

Very interesting,looking forward to the follow ups.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you for your support.

[@BoerChris]

Good one, looking forward to subsequent episodes.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you.

[@kennethknoppik5408]

Oh so this is going to be like a series? Cool I was always interested in this

[@TheHistoryChap]

Hope you enjoy.

[@erikbroderstad401]

Very fair and balanced introduction to this most interesting milestone in world history, cant wait for the rest. Thankyou.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Very kind of you. Thanks

[@FranciscoPreira]

Great video sir. Looking forward to see the next eoisodes of this conflict.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Coming later this week

[@davidmurphy8364]

This is going to be amazing!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Hope that you enjoy.

[@markdonovan500]

Great work as ever 👏

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you enjoyed it. More coming soon.

[@outpostraven]

Excited to hear more

[@TheHistoryChap]

Coming soon.

[@michaelbrammer2483]

Brilliant. I can't wait for the next instalment. 👏

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@surajbiradar9827]

Hi Chris, great video essay. Popular history discourse is saturated around the cartridge incident here in India also. Maybe because it sounds dramatic for a story. Although it was a trigger moment for sure, it was not the whole cause. Thanks for elaborating on the other factors such as conservative backlash and effects of doctrine of lapse.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for taking the time to comment.

[@NigelDeForrest-Pearce-cv6ek]

Brilliant and Fascinating!!! Thank You!!!!

[@TheHistoryChap]

My pleasure

[@jaredmolberg7125]

I just started reading “Sahib: The British Soldier in India 1750-1914” by Richard Holmes. I’m very appreciative of you covering this topic and I’m looking forward to your future videos on this topic!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching.

[@willbliss349]

super great video series!!!! Thank you.

[@TheHistoryChap]

My pleasure.

[@garyhowell8607]

It also shows what an incredible fighting man a British soldier can be when his back is against the wall

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts

[@lokendrasingh9781]

Agreed. British military leadership was generally high quality. But also Indian culture is big in loyalty towards your employer. So even mediocre officer will perform great with such a high quality well trained troops.

[@JohnThreeSixteen918]

Your video arrives just as I finish the first pages of Arthur Herman's book "Gandhi and Churchill" which in the prologue, details the Sepoy Rebellion. Perfect timing!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Perfect timing, I hope?

[@jonmeek3879]

Very well done and clearly stated

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you. it took a lot of work to try to refine it down.

[@davidcollins2648]

I had no idea the Sepoy rebellion was so brutal. Thanks for addressing my historical blind spots History Chap!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching

[@vincentlavery2568]

Just finished reading about this. You add so much more Chap.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you found it interesting.

[@allanburt5250]

Another fantastic slice of history 👌

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you for watching.

[@johnlamond4463]

Another excellent video.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you.

[@tim7052]

For those interested, two great books (novels written against historical fact) and set in the Indian Mutiny are: "Blood of an Englishman" and "The Heroic Garrison". 👍

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for sharing.

[@douglasherron7534]

You could also try "Flashman in the Great Game" by George MacDonald Fraser. While the novel itself is tongue-in-cheek, it is (generally) accurate and the extensive historical notes at the back of the book are excellent.

[@davidwoods7720]

Thanks so very much Chris

[@TheHistoryChap]

My pleasure.

[@MrBook123456]

good video keep them coming

[@TheHistoryChap]

Will do. Thanks for your support.

[@kaoskronostyche9939]

Good stuff. Love the detail. Thank you.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you for taking the time to comment

[@davidberlanny3308]

Hi Chris, this will be, I'm sure, an interesting series. When I come back to the UK I normally pick up a book or two, last year I came back with one called Empireland by Sathnam Sanghera the front cover says "How imperialism has shaped modern Britain" if you come across it, its worth having a look, the Indian uprising is mentioned quite a bit. Have a great weekend and good luck from Spain!!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Strangely enough I am currently reading it. Thought provoking

[@davidberlanny3308]

​@@TheHistoryChap Yes it is. I'm glad you came across it. Well worth reading!!

[@pauldavies5655]

I AM INTERESTED , please continue!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Part 2 coming next week - The Siege of Delhi.

[@ROHITSHARMA-qz5qz]

Great piece of work

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching

[@jeg5gom]

An important piece of history I know nothing about. Great video 👍👍👍

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching

[@williamburroughs9686]

The more that I look back at history, the more shocked I am at the fact that there is so little change in the way we treat each other. We as a people seem almost incapable of showing any empathy or learning from our mistakes.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Interesting insight. Thanks for taking the time to share.

[@surinderjitsingh8954]

Again phenomenal job chap

[@TheHistoryChap]

Many thanks.

[@surinderjitsingh8954]

@@TheHistoryChap yes, of course, it was the first war of the independence, but the fact that Mangal Pandey was intoxicated , is untrue

[@arslongavitabrevis5136]

Fantastic work Chris, I wish more historians had your honourable, unbiased approach.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Very kind of you. Thanks.

[@janlindtner305]

Looking forward to a thorough lecture on the rebellion albeit in sections.👍

[@TheHistoryChap]

Hope you enjoy.

[@felixd7818]

Thanks for the maps. Geography brings meaning to the story.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Sometimes living in England, I forget just how geographically large India is. It would take you over 24 hours to drive from Barrackpore to Meerut in a car.

[@felixd7818]

@@TheHistoryChap I’m an American. As your most likely aware Americans aren’t the most geographically knowledgeable people. If it isn’t in the US we have a tendency to ignore it. I traveled quite a bit in SE Asia when I was young, but never had the opportunity to see India. I have always thought it an intriguing place. But, life has limited my travels. I also love history. Sorry to babble. You map made the difference for me.

[@HughJason]

Thank you. There seems to be a lot that I hadn't understood.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching. Please subscribe to my channel so you don’t miss future videos.

[@khaledalmaeena3413]

A breathe of fresh air into Indian History...

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching.

[@zackingtut]

Loved George McDonald Fraser’s Flashman book about this topic “Flashman and The Great Game”

[@TheHistoryChap]

A great, fun read.

[@gordonspicer]

excellent !!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you.

[@petesmodelcarcustoms584]

Thank you very much for a most interesting history,.I've liked,subscribed and will look for more of your prorammes👍😃. Best wishes from jolly old England 👍😎Pete 🤓

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for the sub. Greetings from a cloudy Worcestershire.

[@petesmodelcarcustoms584]

@@TheHistoryChap Thank you very much for replying. I'm across the country in sunny Norfolk. I'm already glad I found your channel. The videos were great,highly watchable👍

[@commando4481]

Gonna be a good series.

[@TheHistoryChap]

I hope that you enjoy it.

[@commando4481]

@@TheHistoryChap Will do.

[@Cocopuff55]

Top notch.

[@TheHistoryChap]

many thanks.

[@AlRedsoxFan]

Well done 👏 I have started to read a bit about this Very brutal

[@TheHistoryChap]

Very brutal indeed.

[@AlRedsoxFan]

@@TheHistoryChap look forward to the series hope all is well take care 🙂

[@paulwilson7234]

Excellent video 👌

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.

[@stevensass3933]

Great explanation Chris! I think the Harry Flashman book, “The Great Game,” provides an interesting take on the Muitiny’s origins as well.

[@johnlamond4463]

JG Farrell's Siege of Krishnapur a much better book.

[@kenwalker687]

Are not the Flashman books works of fiction?

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you enjoyed.

[@footscorn]

@@kenwalker687 His personal exploits are but the rest of the book is historically accurate. Fraser's research is admirable.

[@pipes9878]

My great great grandfather survived the rebellion but alas his wife and children had not. They were strung up and spears left in their bodies to be found. He remarried and had more children and our family did not permanently leave India until 1914, returning back to Britain to fight in the trenches of the Great War.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video & for taking the time to share your family story.

[@cherrycarter8442]

Aah, now this is a fascinating topic, I was drawn into it by a rather excellent novel the title I now forget but I read it in months before leaving for India in 1990. Thanks to that book, i made a visit to Lucknow a priority, glad I did. I skipped seiing the taj mahal in favour of a day wandering around the ruins of the British residence, its a day I will never forget. Could send you some photos I took Chris , if you have an email ? . Look forward to this series, it will be a cracker.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you so much for taking the time to comment.

[@qmsarge]

By any chance was the book "Night Runners of Bengal" by John Masters?

[@cherrycarter8442]

@@qmsarge no.. had a simple name like 'indian mutiny 1857 ' or similiar

[@wadoryujujutsukempo6289]

I never really heard much about india at school, with did napolian, ww1 and ww2, as well as zulu, and america, and the normal stuff like industrial revaloution. So nice to here about india

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching

[@PritishA82]

Peace and Lots of Love from Mumbai India ❤️💯👌✨

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for your comment.

[@reynardthefox]

a great story ...chapter 1..

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching

[@edhodapp6465]

I know a little bit more about this than the adventures in Egypt and Sudan over the Suez Canal, but looking forward to the rest of the story. As always, thanks for the history, mate! :)

[@TheHistoryChap]

My pleasure.

[@RailfanDownunder]

Superb

[@TheHistoryChap]

Very kind of you.

[@fredazcarate4818]

Once again you have come to scratch Sir. Your overview of Sepoy rebellion was spot on. Usually in United States we have a rather one dimensional view of the event. Yet your lecture pointed out many nuances often neglected bye most historians. It was enjoyable. I hope too see more offerings soon. 👊👍

[@TheHistoryChap]

I'm glad that you enjoy my nuances. I think they are important because they often influence how we see events both at the time and when we look back at them.

[@garylynch7619]

Why do we have to wait? One of the most interesting historical events. First learned of it through Flasman and have hoovered up any content I can find. Currently reading Dalrymple

[@TheHistoryChap]

A great read.

[@anirbanmitra1109]

objective presentation. You could have dwelled more on the economic hardships that EIC taxation and biased business policies brought on the Indian people and how it added to the resentment. But, overall very nice and crisp. thanks. sharing.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you very much for watching, and for your thoughts, about some of the economic hardships that may have also caused some people to want to rebel against the east India company

[@Aramis419]

I can't wait for the episode where the Empire Strikes Back!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Coming soon.

[@jeffpliskin]

Careful what you wish for many indian hindus in uk itself clearly haven't forgotten not good to open old wounds. The recent Kalistanti issues shows east asians have long memories and carry long grudges.

[@spacewater7]

I remember reading about a decade ago that sociopaths may (estimated, subjective) make up about 1 in 5 people in the developed world. One of their favorite occupations appears to be mid-level management. This seems to be backed up by the fact that 2 out of the 3 mid-level managers so far in this story clearly display sociopathic megalomania. The higher ranking commander who showed clear empathy for his soldiers obviously wasn't a sociopath however.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts.

[@formwiz7096]

Bless you, I've been hoping I hadn't missed your take on the Mutiny. I was told, in my wild and misspent youth, that another reason was that the Mutiny came about because some of the rajahs were put out because the Company had cut their allowances. PS What is your opinion of the Hibbert book? It's been my go-to on the subject for years.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Some of them were.

[@formwiz7096]

@@TheHistoryChap OK, a few things make a bit more sense.

[@catsamazing338]

I believe Oudh is pronounced Ood. Just a small point. I would surmise that you have read Christopher Hibbert’s wonderful book on this subject. A fascinating period with so many colourful characters. Thanks for covering it.

[@TheHistoryChap]

I received a variety of pronunciations. Main book for this one was "The Indian Mutiny" by Saul David.

[@karanvarma4843]

It's pronounced as awoood

[@prashantksinha9464]

अवध awadh

[@quentincollins1825]

First learned about the Mutiny reading Flashman and the Great Game as a teenager

[@TheHistoryChap]

Flashman got everywhere.

[@pratyushbhattacharjee5532]

Wonderful storytelling Mr Green, and quite nuanced indeed-- quite a rarity these days. I see the rebellion of 1857 as a period of divergemce between the attitudes of the indian masses and their colonial overlords (including the anglo-indian and christian communities of india, as well as native rulers), towards each other. An interesting point of note is that after the rebellion, indian princes and british officials developed increasingly warm relatiins with each other (except for those that had rebelled) and had only occasional disputes. The ordinary people and the anglo-indians, on the contrary, grew increaaingly distrustful of each other, leading to a vicious cycle of racial violence and injustices. Another interesting point is that after the end of Company rule, which had essentially copied most of the mughal way of administration, revenue collection, and military organisation (with little to no interest in engaging with the societal affairs of their subjects), the Raj brought an entirely new system of governance and positive development (as i think i have good reason to believe) that shaped the country to greater extent. What do you think, Mr Green?

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you for watching my video and for taking the time to post a really well thought out comment

[@drtimsmith]

Another superbly delivered tale of British history. My forefathers were in India and I knew about the stories of animal greased cartridges, but not the other underlying tensions... (Incidentally, the cartridges were greased with mineral and vegetable matter - no animal matter.) I look forward to the subsequent presentations... Keep up the fabulous work, Chris... 👍

[@Temujin1206]

The cartridges were in fact greased with animal fat, as was confirmed by inquiries held at the time. Both Colonel A. Abbot, the Inspector-General of the Ordinance, and Lieutenant Currie, the Commissary of the Ordinance at Fort William testified that the grease was made of six parts tallow to one part beeswax and that no steps were taken to ensure the tallow was of a type which wouldn't be offensive to the sepoys, though neither could positively confirm whether or not the tallow came from cows or pigs or rather from some other, non-offensive animal like goats or sheep, though some records indicate beef and pork tallow was certainly requisitioned for the ordinace so at lwast some cartridges likely contained such fats. Later on the Governor-General Lord Canning acknowledged that the Sepoy's fears were "well founded", although of course this was an issue of negligence rather than a deliberate ploy to destroy the caste of the Sepoys.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching.

[@pradeepkharta5953]

Well discuss about present .

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you for taking the time to ocmment.

[@AlejandroGermanRodriguez]

Thanks for the introduction. Which was the rifle that required those problematic cartridges?

[@TheHistoryChap]

Pattern 1853 Enfield.

[@Adibarum]

it was the Enfield Pattern 1853 rifle-musket

[@Brian-----]

Love your videos! I've visited Chennai including Fort St. George and Vellore, where sepoys launched the first "mutiny" in 1806 over a foreseen sartorial issue. The British general responsible who made a career of failing up was deservedly sacked in insufficient disgrace and made to pay passage home, while another British officer, Gillespie, a "true Victorian hero" before Victoria, rode to the HEIC rescue. This is significant for several reasons: 1) As Northern India is loath to admit (we know how it works) apparently Southern India struck the first rebel blow against the HEIC. 2) Unlike the moribund Mughals, Tipu Sultan, son of Hyder Ali, was a popular leader and his sons were a look forward, not back. Talk about Indian leaders who fought the HEIC: there they are. 3) It's debatable whether the 1857 mutiny was a war for independence, as what real difference is there between the Raj and the Mughals? I'm not an admirer of the HEIC or the Raj, but imperial history is what it is. India historically was ruled by one empire after another, often Muslims dominating a majority Hindu land. Even if overdue, Indian independence ultimately was won the right way, with pride and not by nostalgia and massacres, and nationally for the liberty of all in India rather than for northern India. The useful example India followed to liberty was Britain's, not the Mughal example, and there is no shame in such an example as America also got its colonial assemblies and principles from Britian's playbook. India will remain the world's largest free country. 4) The willingness to fight for independence is admirable, but killing noncombatants is shameful.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Brian, thank you so much for taking the time to add your comment. I would like to tell the story of the 1806, mutiny at sometime in the future. And also the very much forgotten mutiny by European troops when the East India company was wound up.

[@muazzamshaikh2049]

One important thing here to remember is that by the British were looking towards the conquest of India, the Mughals were no longer the dominant political force they once were. Instead, their position were taken up by the Marathas. In fact, the first region to fall under British influence happened to be in the same year that the Marathas took over Delhi, thus reducing the Mughal Emperor to a nominal titular head and nothing else. However, the Mughals throughout the centuries had wielded such influence over the Indian masses ( both military and culturally) that they were still recognized formally as the rulers of India, even if only in name. First they were under the protection of the Marathas and then the British. Until the Indian Mutiny.

[@amotaba]

what coincidence: yesterday i was reading the chapter that talks about british rule in India of Eric Hobsbawm's "The Invention of Tradition". Excellent video

[@TheHistoryChap]

I aim to please! 😀

[@TheIceman567]

Can you do a video on the Aden emergency (1963-1967) would be awesome

[@TheHistoryChap]

My dad was there just before (1957/58) so I will defintely do it.

[@davidgray3321]

The mutiny always saddens me, avoidable and brutal, in which people were forced to choose their path.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you for taking the time to comment