Mutiny, INDIAN

It broke out at Meerút, May 10, 1857, soon spread through the n.w. provinces, Oude, and into Lower Bengal; but was repre ed by anticipation in the Punjab. The native armies of Madras and Bombay did not join the insurrection. The immediate occasion of the uprising was the rumor spread among the sepoys that cartridges had been served out greased with the fat of animals unclean to both Hindoos and Mohammedans. The most serious outbreaks were at Cawnpore, Lucknow, and Delhi. The sepoys in each case rose on their officers without warning. Europe ans were ma acred. The garrison at CAWNPORE (q.v.) surrendered to Nana Sahib, with promise of safe conduct for women and children, but boats on which they embarked were immediately abandoned by their crews, and fired on from the river-bank. Only one boat with four men escaped. Lucknow was besieged from July 1 to Sept. 8, when it was relieved by Havelock and Outram, who were again invested by the rebels; the final deliverance was effected Nov. by Sir Colin Campbell. Delhi was recovered Sept. 20. Fighting continued till 1859. These events led to the suppre ion of the E. India Co., and to an act transferring the entire administration of India to the crown. Peace was proclaimed July 8, 1859. Mutsu Hito, b. 1852. Mikado of Japan since 1867. His reign has been the most memorable in modern Oriental history, as witne ing the new birth of a nation, rapidly advancing from comparative obscurity to a place among civilized powers.