DISCONTENTED SEPOYS

        The Discontent of The Sepoys could be attributed either to an impolitic or unjust cutting of pay or an interference with the religious beliefs of the soldiers. The most singular episode of the sepoy revolt having a definite bearing on the future is the mutiny which took place at Barrackpore in 1824.

The 47the Native Infantry refused to embark for Burma unless the government allowed two rupees to each soldier per month as traveling expense. They were ordered to communicate their willingness to march on pain of death.

On November 2 they mustered as usual when on their refusal to obey the command, Sir Edward Paget, Commander-in-Chief, gave orders to fire. In a moment, grape shot and cannot bullets rained upon them.

This military revolt was a disastrous event remotely forecasting the spirit of 1857. Barrackpore thus became the historic site where so many sepoys had died. many other similar rebellions took place after that, exhibiting the same motivations and feelings and showing that a revolt became a mere question of time and opportunity.

It will, therefore, be realized that the earlier disturbances both civil and military formed the background and culminated in the Revolt of 1857.