When we think of India’s first war of independence, 1857 usually comes to mind. Yet, half a century earlier, the Vellore Mutiny of 1806 erupted, marking one of the earliest organized uprisings against British colonial authority. Taking place on the midnight of July 10, 1806, the rebellion was sparked by widespread resentment among Indian soldiers. The British had introduced strict dress codes, forcing sepoys to wear hats resembling European styles while forbidding traditional religious marks like tilak or beards. This disregard for religious and cultural sentiments ignited fury.

Over 800 Indian soldiers rose in arms, killing around 200 British officers and soldiers in just a few hours. However, the rebellion was brutally crushed the same day, with over 400 rebels executed and many others punished severely. Though short-lived, the mutiny exposed deep tensions and foreshadowed the larger uprising of 1857. The Vellore Mutiny remains a powerful reminder of how resistance began much earlier than we often remember.