1857 disaster

The 1857 disaster, known as the Indian Rebellion or Sepoy Mutiny, was a major uprising against British rule in India. Indian soldiers (sepoys) in the British army rebelled due to cultural insensitivity and unfair policies, especially after rumors that gun cartridges were greased with animal fat. The rebellion spread across northern India, challenging British authority for over a year. Although ultimately suppressed, it marked a turning point, ending the rule of the British East India Company and leading to direct control by the British Crown. The event significantly impacted Indian society and India's path toward independence.