Kali Paltan Temple, India

Today I am taking you to an Indian Temple in Meerut Cantt. The Indian freedom fight started here.

Actually Indian soldiers revolted against the British in 1857 due to deep grievances. This uprising, called the Sepoy Mutiny or First War of Independence, started as a military protest but grew into a widespread rebellion.

The majority Indian soldiers of the British army in India but they got lower pay than their British counterparts.

They were sent to far-off places like Afghanistan and Burma without extra allowances. The 1856 Act forced them to serve overseas, crossing the sea which they feared would pollute their caste.

High-caste soldiers worried about job losses as Sikhs and Gorkhas were recruited. Overwork and poor promotions added fuel so it all happened.

The immediate trigger was their rifle cartridges as a rumor spread that they were greased with cow and pig fat, offensive to Hindus and Muslims both.

Soldiers refused to bite them open. In Meerut on May 10, 1857, 85 soldiers were punished, which sparked a mutiny that shook Brits.​

British policies like Jhansi and Awadh, angering rulers Including Queen Lakshmibai and Nana Sahib. Heavy taxes ruined farmers, so the soldiers mostly from rural families, felt the pain and Indian landlords and princes joined the revolt.

This was no mere mutiny but it reflected cultural interference, discrimination, and exploitation. This temple is the place where it all started.

This was originally a small temple with a well where they gathered eat food, drink water and discussed now turned into a memorial and a large temple.