The sepoys, who were Indian soldiers serving in the British East India Company's army, were primarily adherents of two major religions: Islam and Hinduism.
Religious Background of Sepoys
Nearly every sepoy belonged to one of these two faiths. This religious diversity, however, came with specific cultural and dietary traditions that were deeply held by the soldiers:
- Muslim Sepoys: For Muslims, their religion strictly forbids the consumption of pork, including its fat or any other part of a pig.
- Hindu Sepoys: Hindus hold cows as sacred, and their religion prohibits the eating of beef.
The British administration in India often demonstrated a lack of sensitivity towards these deeply ingrained cultural and religious traditions. This disregard for religious customs was a significant source of disturbance and resentment among both the sepoys and the wider civilian population, contributing to tensions that would eventually lead to major unrest.
