Rule and resistance: theCompany Army and the Vellore Mutiny he military was at the forefront rebellion. Although the company was beset of both rule and resistance in by minor mutinies during the 18th century, colonial India. the Vellore Mutiny of 1806 took place on an unprecedented scale. The official reports on the mutiny blamed a change The British East India Company’s access to trade of headdress from a turban to a topi, a routes and tax revenues was based on its ability Portuguese cap worn by drummers, which to defeat Indian armies in battle, and exploit was made with leather. Fearing attempts divisions between Indian rulers by forging to convert them to Christianity, Hindu alliances and promising protection. Military and Muslim sepoys argued that wearing success was vital to the company’s power and the topi would threaten their caste status. reputation. Their concerns unheeded, they rose up in arms on 10th July, killing 150 European The East India Company soldiers and officers until the garrison retained its own army, was relieved by Colonel Gillespie. His

which provided defence, The Siege of Moultan [Multan, in modern-day Pakistan] took place during suppression of the mutiny, followed by tax collection and police 1848-1849, and triggered the Second Anglo-Sikh War. The siege began when the predominantly Muslim city rebelled against a Sikh ruler imposed by the East India mass, summary executions left nearly 800 duties. Referred to by Sir Company. The East India Company’s eventual victory consolidated their rule in sepoys dead. Northern India. From Corps papers, and memoirs on military subjects, compiled from contributions of the John Shore, Governor officers of the Royal Engineers and the East India Company’s engineers (1849). Special Collection Oversize General of India (1793– UG57.Z6 98), as the ‘mass which The majority of the company’s army was manned Despite the rebellions, the forms the bulwark of by Indian troops, or ‘sepoys.’ The company treated biggest cause of death for our power’, the army them significantly worse than European soldiers, European soldiers comprised nearly 100,000 imposing harsh discipline, and denying shelter and stationed in India was always soldiers by the turn of sometimes pay. disease, not combat. the century. From Practical observations on fever, dysentery, and liver complaints: as they occur amongst the European troops in India by George Ballingall. Med Chi Collection WB152 BAL. The two volumes of Corps papers, and memoirs on Resistance to East India Company power was military subjects, compiled from contributions of the officers of the Royal Engineers and the East India most effective in the form of military mutiny and Company’s engineers (1849). Special Collection Oversize UG57.Z6.