Vellore Mutiny: sepoys rise against the East India Company at Vellore Fort

Background. The mutiny stemmed from resentment towards changes in the sepoy dress code and general appearance introduced in November 1805. The commander-in-chief of the Madras Army prescribed a new round hat to replace turbans and ordered the removal of beards, caste markings and jewelry; one passage dates the changes to November 1805, while the specific items are detailed in another. These measures offended Hindu and Muslim sepoys. The rebellion was also instigated by the sons of Tipu Sultan, confined at Vellore since 1799; Tipu's wives and sons lived as East India Company pensioners in a palace within the Vellore Fort complex.

Outbreak. On 10 July 1806, before sunrise, Indian sepoys stationed in the fort attacked the European barracks. By late morning, they had killed about 15 officers and 100 soldiers of the British regiment and ransacked their houses. The plotters had gathered at the fort under the pretext of attending the wedding of Tipu Sultan's daughter, which was scheduled for 9 July.

Suppression. The mutiny was subdued by cavalry and artillery from Arcot. Nine hours after the outbreak, a relief force comprising the British 19th Light Dragoons, galloper guns, and a squadron of the 3rd Regiment of Madras Native Cavalry rode from Arcot to Vellore, covering 16 miles in about two hours. About 100 sepoys who sought refuge inside the palace were brought out and shot dead by order of Gillespie.