The Vellore Mutiny - 1806 [10-Jul-06]

Theme: Events-national and international
Title: THE VELLORE MUTINY - 1806
Date Of Issue: 10-Jul-2006
Denomination: 500(Ps)
No/Issue Sheet: 24
Printing Process: Wet Offset
Nos. Printed: 0.8 Million
Printer: Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Seeking to expand their sphere of influence and control in India, the British maintained an army that, right to 1857, was composed largely of Indians, or natives as they were called. Yet the British were strangely insensitive to the cultural and religious sensibilities of the Hindu and Muslim soldiers serving under them. This was evident as early as in 1806 when the British introduced a new dress code for its army. Many of the new dress regulations ran counter to the religious beliefs and customs of the Indian soldiers, yet the British sought to enforce these most stringently, riding roughshod over any resistance, and dealing out severe punishments to the protestors. On the morning of 10th July 1806, the Indian soldiers at Vellore rose in revolt against the British, killing some army officers and taking control of the arms and ammunition. They hoised the royal tiger flag of Tipu Sultan over Vellore Fort, pulling down the Union Jack of the British, and declared Tipu Sultan.s second son Fateh Hyder, as King.The spontaneous uprising of the Indian soldiers in Vellore Fort on 10th July 1806 was among the early manifestations of resistance to British Rule in India. India Post is proud to commemorate the bicentennial of this moment in history by issue of a stamp.