How did the Revolt of 1857 spread?
The Revolt of 1857 broke out on 10 May 1857. Starting from the cantonment of Meerut, it reached Delhi on the very next day. Within a few days, it spread to other parts of the country. Besides the soldiers, the ordinary people also participated in it. The soldiers took up arms and ammunition and attacked the white men. They destroyed government buildings and plundered public property. At many places, the revolt started with a signal. But in many other places, it started with the firing of the evening gun or the sounding of the bugle. The Hindus joined hands with Muslims to exterminate the British. They also attacked the rich and the money-lenders who were allies of the British. They defied all kinds of authority and hierarchy. The mutiny had turned into a rebellion against the British. It had become the first war of independence in India. The British rule had fallen like a house of cards.
