Page "Indian Rebellion of 1857" Paragraph 16

On 27 January, Colonel Richard Birch, the Military Secretary, ordered that all cartridges issued from depots were to be free from grease, and that sepoys could grease them themselves using whatever mixture " they may prefer ".

A modification was also made to the drill for loading so that the cartridge was torn with the hands and not bitten.

This however, merely caused many sepoys to be convinced that the rumours were true and that their fears were justified.

Additional rumours started that the paper in the new cartridges, which was glazed and stiffer than the previously used paper, was impregnated with grease.

The Indians were therefore not convinced that the British had no desire of degrading the Indian religions.