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Remembering the Vellore Uprising
July 10Its been long 51 years since our brothers in Vellore, near Chennai (now called Madras by the English) rebelled.
In 1806, English forced Muslim and Hindu sepoys to do something abhorrent and against their religion. The sepoys who refused were given 500 lashes and had to ask for forgivemness from the “Company”.
On 9th July 1806, sepoys gathered at the Velloe fort for the wedding of Tipu Sultan’s daughter and at 3.00 AM on the 10th, most of the 1500 sepoys at the fort sparked the rebellion. By mid-morning the rebels had seized control of the fort.
Later that day, British and Madras Cavalry - based 20 miles (32km) away in Arcot - charged through them. A massacre ensued, with more than 650 of the rebels killed and 350 injured before the British recaptured the fort.
Our inspirational leader Tipu Sultan, Tiger of Mysore, who also introduced rocketary to the British warfare, fought at least 4 Mysore wars, never giving up.
Here is a snippet of “treaty” between the British and Tipu Sultan promising peace by British for as long as the sun and moon shall last!
and a “Furman” (an order) by Tipu Sultan.
Lets take a moment to remember the struggle and reaffirm our vow to fight till the British are out of this country.
Tipu Sultan is one of my favourite historical character. Didn’t know about his use of rockets etc, that was cool.
Great blog, keep it up.
I had a sketchy idea about Tipu Sultan being a great warrior and an assiduous ruler, but the information on the blog coupled with my interest in digging out more from the net lead me post this article. If I may be allowed to do so. No offense I hope will be taken to my doing this.
Having learnt the western techniques of warfare, Tipu was not slow in making use of it. He was himself bold, dashing, and a person of undaunted adventurous spirit. Under his leadership Mysore army “proved a school of military science” to Indian princes. The dread of an European army no longer wrought any magic on him. Tipu’s infliction of serious blows on the English in the First and Second Mysore wars damaged their reputation as an invincible power. Grant wrote to Shelburne, “An English army much superior to one which under a Lawrence, or a Clive, five and twenty years ago made Hindoostan, nay some of the powers of Europe tremble at the bare recital of its Victories, now for the first time was retreating in the face of an Indian army”. This was a reference to Colonel Bailey’s capture and General Munnro’s flight in the Second Mysore war. Alexander Dow wrote his history, “we were alarmed, as if his horses had wings to fly over our walls”.
The Tiger of Mysore was indeed an admirable opponent to the British, but by the time of the Vellore Mutiny had been dead for some 7 years and could not have played an active role in the events in southern India , except , perhaps to inspire and to emulate. He fell at the taking of Seringapatam in 1799, leading his troops in battle , an example in the Great Uprising of 1857 that was only emulated by Laxmi Bai , Rani ki Jhansi, ‘the only man of all the rebels’ according to Sir Hugh Rose.
Sadly,the Indian government does nothing to promote Tippoo’s achievements.A film maker some years ago wanted to make a film about him.There was objection to it and I don’t believe the film was made.
Does anone know much about the Moplah uprising in Kerala ? Does it rate a mention here ?
Peter: Moplah uprising was much laer - 1920’s. It will not be on this blog, because this blog is describing events that are taking place in 1857-8 as they happen. So technically, for this blog purpose, the Moplah uprising hasn’t happened yet.
Re. a movie about Tipu; I am actully gald that it hasn’t happened yet; just give it a few more years. Joda-Akbar’s success is going to spawn many more films based on historical character and the best part is that it will be done right; with high production value and as an epic rather than a “movie’.
Whilst the Tippoo was undoubtably a worthy adversary to the British he wasn’t really a proto-independance fighter as you guys seem to suggest. Most of his enemies were other Indian states. He was certainly a heroic and brave figure but that doesn’t change the fact that he was fighting for Mysorean domination over India and not Indian independance.
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