VELLORE MUTINY - 1806
The south Indian rebellion was over by A. D. 1806.But the rude shock was not erased from the minds of the people. The English East India Company emerged as the unopposed ruler of Madras presidency from 1801 A. D. Lord William Bentinck was the Governor of Madras Presidency and John Craddock was commander - in - chief. His army reforms invited a mutiny at Vellore. The Vellore Mutiny of 1806 was the first instance of a mutiny Indian sepoy against the East India Company.
Causes for the Revolt
The mutineers were influenced by the family of Tipu sultan who were confined to the Vellore fort after the death of Tipu Sultan.
The recruimend of a large number of Indians in the army created suspicion in the minds of the Indian people. Most of the sepoys were from the palayams After the death of their great leaders like pulithavan, Kattabomman, Marudhu brothers, it left deep scar in the hearts of the rebels. The sepoys were from both Tamil and Kannada speaking regions and they exchanged betel leaf in order to find themselves together for the attainment of a common goa.
New Methods and Changes in Dress Code
The strict discipline, new weapons, new methods and changes in dress code introduced by the British created resentment among the sepoys. Hindus were prohibited from wearing ornaments like earing and caste marks on their forehead. Muslims were required to shave their beard and trim their mustache. This also created a strong resentment among the soldiers.
Agnew Turban designed by General Agnew.
The immediate cause was the introduction of the Agnew Turban designed by General Agnew. It resembled the European hat bearing different colors affixed by a badge with the symbol of the cross on it This annoyed both the Hindu and Muslim sepoys. Those sepoys who refused to wear the Turban were punished by 500-900 lashed and they were also terminated from the service.
Course of the Rebellion
The rebellion was instigated by the sone of Tipu Sultan and they secretly planned the Revolt. On July 9th 1806 the wedding celebration of Tipu's daughter was going on inside the fort and the sepoys gathered to attend the function. Amidst the celebration in the early hours of July 10th,the sepoys suddenly attacked the British officers and the British troops. By dawn, the mutineers took complete control of the fort and hoisted the flag of Tipu at the Vellore fort and proceeded his son Fateh Hyder as the king.
Causes for the Failure of the Mutiny
There was no proper leadership. The Revolt was not organized. Tipu's son did not have proper training in warfar as they spent most of their life time in prison. The sepoys could not get the support and supplies on time from the native rulers.
Results
Many Indian soldiers were arrested and imprisoned. Tipu's family was taken to Calcutta and kept in prion for more than six years. The Mutiny revealed the patriotic and the revengeful attitude of the Indians towards the British. Though the mutiny failed, it became a prelude to the First war of Indian Independence of 1857.
The south Indian rebellion was over by A. D. 1806.But the rude shock was not erased from the minds of the people. The English East India Company emerged as the unopposed ruler of Madras presidency from 1801 A. D. Lord William Bentinck was the Governor of Madras Presidency and John Craddock was commander - in - chief. His army reforms invited a mutiny at Vellore. The Vellore Mutiny of 1806 was the first instance of a mutiny Indian sepoy against the East India Company.
Causes for the Revolt
The mutineers were influenced by the family of Tipu sultan who were confined to the Vellore fort after the death of Tipu Sultan.
The recruimend of a large number of Indians in the army created suspicion in the minds of the Indian people. Most of the sepoys were from the palayams After the death of their great leaders like pulithavan, Kattabomman, Marudhu brothers, it left deep scar in the hearts of the rebels. The sepoys were from both Tamil and Kannada speaking regions and they exchanged betel leaf in order to find themselves together for the attainment of a common goa.
New Methods and Changes in Dress Code
The strict discipline, new weapons, new methods and changes in dress code introduced by the British created resentment among the sepoys. Hindus were prohibited from wearing ornaments like earing and caste marks on their forehead. Muslims were required to shave their beard and trim their mustache. This also created a strong resentment among the soldiers.
Agnew Turban designed by General Agnew.
The immediate cause was the introduction of the Agnew Turban designed by General Agnew. It resembled the European hat bearing different colors affixed by a badge with the symbol of the cross on it This annoyed both the Hindu and Muslim sepoys. Those sepoys who refused to wear the Turban were punished by 500-900 lashed and they were also terminated from the service.
Course of the Rebellion
The rebellion was instigated by the sone of Tipu Sultan and they secretly planned the Revolt. On July 9th 1806 the wedding celebration of Tipu's daughter was going on inside the fort and the sepoys gathered to attend the function. Amidst the celebration in the early hours of July 10th,the sepoys suddenly attacked the British officers and the British troops. By dawn, the mutineers took complete control of the fort and hoisted the flag of Tipu at the Vellore fort and proceeded his son Fateh Hyder as the king.
Causes for the Failure of the Mutiny
There was no proper leadership. The Revolt was not organized. Tipu's son did not have proper training in warfar as they spent most of their life time in prison. The sepoys could not get the support and supplies on time from the native rulers.
Results
Many Indian soldiers were arrested and imprisoned. Tipu's family was taken to Calcutta and kept in prion for more than six years. The Mutiny revealed the patriotic and the revengeful attitude of the Indians towards the British. Though the mutiny failed, it became a prelude to the First war of Indian Independence of 1857.
