This Day in History: 1857-05-14

Three days after the outbreak of the Indian Mutiny, the Sirmoor Battalion marched out of its home barracks in Dehra Dun only four hours after the arrival of a camel sowar (messenger) bringing the news. After considerable skirmishing and fighting on the way, including the battle of Badle-ke-Serai, the Goorkhas reached Delhi on 8 June. Of great symbolic importance was the fact that the Sirmoor Battalion was the first local regiment to confront and open fire on the mutineers. Click here to read a description of the campaign.