Remembering the Vellore Uprising

Its 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.