The first major, widespread uprising against British East India Company rule in India, beginning in 1857, also called the First War of Independence or the Sepoy Mutiny.
- Began with the mutiny of sepoys at Meerut on 10 May 1857, who then marched to Delhi.
- Immediate trigger: the greased cartridges of the new Enfield rifle, rumoured to use cow and pig fat.
- Bahadur Shah Zafar was proclaimed the symbolic leader; key figures included Rani Lakshmibai, Tantia Tope, Nana Sahib, and Begum Hazrat Mahal.
- Causes were political, economic, social, military, and religious (Doctrine of Lapse, annexations, economic exploitation).
- Result: the revolt failed, but it ended Company rule; the Crown took over via the Government of India Act, 1858.
The start location (Meerut), date (1857), trigger (cartridges), leaders, and consequence (Crown rule) are all high-frequency history facts.
The revolt started at Meerut (10 May 1857), not Delhi; and it led to Crown rule under the 1858 Act, not immediate independence.
1857 uprising from Meerut; failed but ended Company rule, bringing Crown rule via the 1858 Act.