The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Karunanidhi to release stamp on Vellore sepoy mutiny

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jul 10, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Karunanidhi to release stamp on Vellore sepoy mutiny

T. Ramakrishnan

Function to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the revolt

HISTORIC SITE: The Vellore fort where a sepoy mutiny took place 200 years ago. — Photo: S. S. KUMAR

CHENNAI: The five-century-old Vellore Fort, which witnessed several battles, will host a function on Monday to mark a historic occasion: the 200th anniversary of the Vellore revolt, which predated the 1857 uprising by about 50 years.

After the fall of Srirangapattinam and the death of Tipu Sultan in 1799, British rulers kept the Sultan's family members in the Vellore fort.

In 1806, the British East India Company, which had a large part of the country under its control, introduced a dress code for its army (which largely composed of Indians), according to data provided by the Vellore Collectorate and the Postal department. While Hindus were prohibited from wearing religious marks on their foreheads, Muslims were required to shave their beard and trim their moustache. This created a strong resentment among the soldiers.

In May 1806, the authorities in Madras came to know that the Indian soldiers were not happy with the changes introduced. The revolting soldiers were sent to Fort St. George. Two soldiers — a Hindu and a Muslim — were given 900 lashes each and their services terminated.

Nineteen soldiers were given 500 lashes each and forced to seek pardon for their action.

On July 9 1806, at the marriage of one of Tipu Sultan's daughters at the fort, those who planned to take part in the revolt gathered there.

In the early hours on July 10, Indian soldiers opened fire in the parade ground and killed some army officers and took control of the arms and ammunition.

They pulled down the Union Jack flag and hoisted the Royal Tiger Flag of Tipu Sultan over the fort. They declared Tipu's second son Fateh Hyder as their King.

Revolt crushed

Reinforcements came from the nearby military post and Col. Rollo Gillespie led a counter attack. Over 800 soldiers were killed inside the fort and 17 Indian officers hanged outside.

Numerous persons were imprisoned at the Vellore and Tiruchi prisons.

The event, however, alarmed the British. The Mysore princes were transferred to Calcutta. William Bentinck, Governor of Madras, was recalled.

To commemorate the revolt, the Postal department has decided to bring out a stamp, priced Rs. 5.

At a function to be held on the Vellore Fort Grounds, the Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi will release the stamp in the presence of the Communications Minister Dayanidhi Maran.

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