The first big step towards freedom
1857: How two British officers saw the events unfold at Umballa (now Ambala)
Uneasy calm prevailed at Umballa (now Ambala) in the events leading up to May 10, 1857. The 'sedition' was palpable. Detachments from regiments in the North Western Provinces had gathered to practice with the Enfield rifle. However, sepoys had informed officers that they feared exclusion from their caste owing to the 'adulterated grease' in the cartridges.