The Indian Rebellion of 1857 marked a significant uprising against British colonial rule in India, beginning in the small garrison town of Meerut. It was sparked by widespread discontent among Indian soldiers, known as sepoys, particularly against the use of greased cartridges that were rumored to be made from animal fat, offending both Hindu and Muslim soldiers. The immediate revolt was led by sepoys on May 10, 1857, when they mutinied against their British officers and subsequently set off a chain reaction across various regions of India.

This rebellion received support from various Indian rulers, peasant classes, and intellectuals who were discontent with British rule. As the sepoys fought against their British commanders, they were joined by other groups, leading to escalated violence and an extensive campaign against the British. Major cities like Delhi, Kanpur, and Lucknow witnessed significant uprisings. The last Mughal Emperor, Bahadur Shah II, became a symbolic figure of the rebellion, as he was declared the leader against British forces.

However, the revolt ultimately faced severe repression by the British, who launched a brutal campaign to quell the rebellion. By 1858, the British were victorious, and as a consequence, the East India Company was dissolved. The British Crown took direct control over India, marking the beginning of the British Raj and a period of significant change in Indian society and governance.