Question

Give historical reasons of the following statements:

Indian soldiers refused to use Enfield Rifles.

Answer 1

In January 1857, the new ‘Enfield Rifle’ was introduced in the Indian army. The cartridge of this rifle, which was greased with fat of cows and pigs, had to be” bitten off before being used. Beef is prohibited for Hindus and pork for Muslims. Both communities felt it was a deliberate attempt to desanctify their religions and so the 19^th battalion of Barrackpore which was the first to refuse to use the cartridge. The battalion was disbanded.