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The new turban regulations seemed minor—just a dress code change requiring India
1806 Event

July 10

Vellore Mutiny: India's First Revolt Against the British

The new turban regulations seemed minor—just a dress code change requiring Indian sepoys to shave their beards and wear leather cockades. But leather meant cattle or pig, forbidden to Hindus and Muslims alike. At 3 AM on July 10, 1806, sepoys in Vellore fort killed 14 British officers in their sleep. Over 100 Europeans died in two hours. The Company's retaliation was swift: 350 sepoys executed or transported. Fifty-one years before the famous 1857 rebellion, this was the warning shot nobody heeded.

July 10, 1806

220 years ago

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