Seeking to expand their sphere of influence and control in India, the British maintained an army that, right up to 1857, was composed largely of Indians or natives as they were called.

   Yet the British were strangely insensitive to the cultural and religious sensibilities of the Hindu and Muslim soldiers serving under them. This was evident as early as in 1806 when the British introduced a new dress code for its army. Many of the new dress regulations ran counter to the religious beliefs and customs of the Indian soldiers, yet the British sought to enforce these most stringently, riding roughshod over any resistance, and dealing out severe punishments to the protestors.

  In the meantime, following the defeat and death of Tipu Sultan in 1799, his family had been held captive at Vellore Fort, the strongest fort in the area. The British forces deployed there at the time comprised of some 1500 Indian and some 370 European soldiers.....