How the Mutinies Began
Late in the afternoon of May 10, 1857, sepoys stationed at the Meerut cantonment revolted, leading to a series of connected mutinies across North India. The uprising started among the native infantry, swiftly spreading to cavalry units and into the city itself. Civilians in Meerut and surrounding villages joined the sepoys, overtaking the armory and attacking British residents. By dawn on May 11, sepoys had reached the gates of the Red Fort in Delhi, presenting their grievances to Bahadur Shah Zafar, the Mughal emperor. They were incensed by orders to use greased cartridges, which were purportedly coated in animal fat, conflicting with their religious beliefs.
The connection between sepoys and civilians expanded the rebellion’s scope, targeting not only British officers but also local elites representing oppressive structures, particularly moneylenders. The uprising followed a pattern: the firing of an evening gun often signaled the sepoys to act, engaging in looting and attacking government buildings systematically. The revolt soon gained a legitimacy through the old emperor's support, marking a significant turning point in India’s fight against British colonial rule. As the news spread, various cantonments aligned with the rebellion, setting off a wave of defiance across the Gangetic valley. During this period, the rebellion grew from a military mutiny to a widespread revolt involving different social classes and communities.