Mutiny at Jhelum

14th BNI was stationed at Jhelum on the bank of the river of the same name. The British knew that the regiment was disaffected and had come to a decision to disarm the 14th.

Decision had also been taken to disarm the 58th BNI at Rawalpindi at the same time. The entire matter was kept a secret so that disarming could take place at both the stations simultaneously, without any untoward incident. The disarming of 58th was carried out quietly and successfully at Rawalpindi. However, the ham handed manner in which the disarming was initiated at Jhelum led to the rebellion of 14th BNI..

For some strange reason, Col Ellice who was to carry out the disarming at Jhelum was not told about the order in advance. In fact, he was given a sealed envelope which he was to open when he was one march away from Jhelum.

Ellice had a compact force under him-some Europeans of 24th Queen’s, some Horse artillery guns under Col Cooke and a part of Lind’s Mooltanee horse. On the morning of 6th, Col Ellice’s force reached Deenah one day’s march from Jhelum where the sealed envelope was opened and the objective of the expedition was revealed to him.

The Chief Commissioner, Sir John Lawrence, had emphasized that utmost secrecy had to be maintained so that the sepoys could be taken by surprise . Col Ellice, however, followed his own scheme of things and reached Jhelum after a leisurely march on the morning of July 7 .

The sepoys who were already on the parade ground suddenly saw a British column approaching the town. Instinctively they knew what it meant and immediately rose in revolt. They put up a strong fight from their main position in the quarter guard. Unfortunately they were overwhelmed and had to retreat and take shelter in the adjacent village of Samlee.

However when the Europeans chased them to the village and made an attack, the sepoys fought with conspicuous bravery Three guns were brought against them yet they kept on fighting with halters round their necks., Their ammunition began to fall , the infantry were ordered to retire., the artillery followed leaving behind a howitzer.. The sepoys easily seized it. It was now sunset and the British efforts of taking the village that night was abandoned..