Meerut (1857)
Loading map…
Overview
The revolt of 1857 began at Meerut on 10 May. The sepoys marched to Delhi and proclaimed Bahadur Shah Zafar as their leader. Separately, Firuz Shah Tughlaq had moved an Ashokan pillar from Meerut to Delhi in the fourteenth century.
The trigger was the punishment of 85 sepoys who refused the new Enfield cartridges, which were believed to be greased with animal fat.
Sepoys of the Meerut cantonment freed their comrades, killed officers and set off for Delhi that night.
Meerut today has a memorial and museum to the revolt.
Geography and key facts
- Revolt began 10 May 1857
- March to Delhi
- Ashokan pillar moved to Delhi
- 85 sepoys punished
- Enfield cartridges
- Memorial at Meerut
Why it matters for UPSC
Revolt centres and their leaders are a classic match question.
Note for UPSC
Where the 1857 revolt began on 10 May.
Questions link places with movements, sessions and years of the national movement.
Asked in PYQs
No question in our Prelims bank names Meerut (1857) yet.
Key facts
- Type
- Freedom-struggle site
- State / UT
- Uttar Pradesh
- Year
- 1857
- Coordinates
- 28.980°N, 77.710°E
From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.
In the lessons
- British Expansion, the Revolt of 1857 and Social Reform
- Harappan Civilisation: Sites, Town Planning and Phases
- Ashoka: Kalinga War, Dhamma, Edicts and Mauryan Art
- The Delhi Sultanate: Five Dynasties and their Rulers (1206–1526)
- The Revolt of 1857: Causes, Course, Leaders and Consequences
- Mineral and Energy Resources and the Location of Industries in India
More freedom-struggle sites nearby
Other places in Uttar Pradesh
All freedom-struggle sites · Revision list · Most asked in PYQs