They defeated the Grand Mogul, drove the French out of the
peninsula, and were generally very prosperous.
"In 1833 Parliament revoked all the trading privileges of the company; and
their dividends to stockholders were then paid out of the taxes assessed on
the people of India. They could not trade and could not govern except under
the control of Parliament. All the wars of India have been fought by the
British nation. After the mutiny, of which more hereafter, the company was
compelled to cede its powers to the crown in 1858.
"The native soldiers of Bengal were called Sepoys, and the name has been
applied to all native troops. Some small mutinies occurred in this arm of
the service in the presidency. Early in 1857 the garrison of Meerut, near
Delhi, revolted, and the British troops failed to suppress it. The Sepoys
marched to Delhi, where they were joined by the native troops and the mob.
The descendant of the Great Mogul, who lived in the palace of his ancestors
under British protection, was proclaimed emperor, and his empire
re-established.
"Probably 90,000 soldiers, infantry and cavalry, were in a state of
rebellion. In many instances they had murdered their officers and their
families. They were spread over a broad country, and held forts, arsenals,
and treasuries. They were disciplined troops armed with European artillery
and muskets, and supplied with ammunition.
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