A Sepoy was a soldier in the armies of the British East India Company and later in the British Indian Army. The term originally referred to Indian soldiers who served under British command during the colonial period in India. Sepoys were typically recruited from various regions and communities, and they played a crucial role in maintaining British control over India. The most notable event involving Sepoys was the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857, also known as the Indian Rebellion of 1857. This uprising was sparked by various grievances, including cultural insensitivity and the introduction of new rifle cartridges believed to be greased with animal fat. The rebellion marked a significant turning point in Indian history, leading to the end of the East India Company's rule and the establishment of direct British governance.