The Indian Rebellion of 1857 had a diverse political, economic, military, religious and social causes. The sepoys, a generic term used for native Indian soldiers of Bengal Army had their list of grievances against the British East India company administration. The spark that led to the mutiny was the issue of new gunpowder cartridges for Enfield rifle in February 1857. There was widespread belief that the cartridges contain cow or pig fat. This insulted both the Hindu and Muslim religious practices. Underlying grievances like taxation and land annexations by East India company were ignited by the sepoy mutineers and within weeks dozens of units of Indian army joined peasant army in widespread rebellion. The old aristocracy, both Muslim and Hindu, who were seeing their power being steadily eroded by the East India company, also rebelled against British rule. ....Read more