The Uprising Spreads
In 1857, a major uprising unfolded in India, beginning with the sepoy mutiny in Meerut against the British East India Company. Following this pivotal moment, the rebellion spread rapidly across northern India, fueled by widespread dissatisfaction with British colonial policies, including the disrespect for local customs and oppressive taxation. The sepoys, motivated by shared grievances with the peasants and other societal groups, joined forces with local rulers like Nana Saheb and Rani Lakshmibai, hence forming an expansive popular rebellion. Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal emperor, was proclaimed the leader by the rebel soldiers, greatly enhancing the uprising's legitimacy. As communication spread across regions, further mutinies erupted in cities such as Kanpur and Lucknow, marking this movement as one of the largest armed resistance efforts against colonial rule in history. The rebellion ultimately challenged British dominance, leading to extensive military responses and lasting ramifications in the governance of India.