Sir George Barlow (1805–1807): Key Event

• Place & Year: Vellore Fort, 1806 (Madras Presidency).

• Nature: A military mutiny by Indian sepoys against British officers.

Causes

• Religious interference: Introduction of a new military dress code that:

• Prohibited religious symbols (tilak, turbans).

• Introduced leather headgear, offending Hindu and Muslim sentiments.

• Disrespect to Indian traditions: Forced cultural changes created fear of religious conversion.

• Mysore connection: Sons of Tipu Sultan, confined at Vellore Fort, became a symbolic rallying point.

Course of Events

• Sepoys at Vellore rose in rebellion, killed several European officers, and briefly took control of the fort.

• The mutiny was swiftly suppressed by British forces from Arcot.

Consequences

• The mutiny was crushed within a day, but it alarmed the British authorities.

• Immediate withdrawal of offensive dress regulations.

• Senior officials in the Madras Army were recalled or dismissed.

• Marked an early warning of sepoy discontent—often called a precursor to the Revolt of 1857.

Note: – During Sir George Barlow’s tenure, the Vellore Mutiny of 1806 became the first organised military uprising of Indian sepoys against British rule.