Sepoy

A Sepoy was an Indian soldier who served in the armies of the British East India Company during the colonial period in India, particularly from the 18th to the 19th centuries. These soldiers were often recruited from local communities and trained in Western military techniques. The term became widely recognized during the Revolt of 1857, when Sepoys rebelled against British rule due to grievances over cultural insensitivity and exploitation. This uprising, also known as the Sepoy Mutiny, marked a significant turning point in Indian history, leading to the end of Company rule and the establishment of direct British governance.