During the Indian Mutiny, also known as India’s First War of Independence, the Revolt of 1857, or the Sepoy Mutiny, the VC was awarded to 182 members of the British Armed Forces, the Honourable East Indies Company (HEIC), and civilians under its command. The mutiny began on May 10, 1857, in Meerut and quickly spread to other regions, including the upper Gangetic plain and central India.
Major hostilities were confined to present-day Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, northern Madhya Pradesh, and the Delhi region. The rebellion posed a significant threat to Company power and was only contained with the fall of Gwalior on June 20, 1858. This rebellion led to the dissolution of the East India Company in 1858 and the reorganisation of the army, financial system, and administration in India, resulting in direct governance from London under the British Raj until 1947.
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Francis Cornwallis Maude VC
IM-000418 June 1858
Captain Francis Maude, a steadfast officer, displayed remarkable bravery during the 1857 attack in Lucknow, earning the Victoria Cross.
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Edward Robinson VC
IM-000524 December 1858
At Lucknow under heavy fire, he was severely wounded putting out a fire and saving a battery.
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Frederick Sleigh Roberts VC
IM-000324 December 1858
Showing remarkable bravery, he took possession of the Standard from Sepoy soldiers, also saving a horseman from near death on same day.
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Sir Charles Craufurd Fraser VC
IM-000131 December 1858
Although partially disabled from an old severe wound, he successfully saved men of the 7th Hussars from drowning.
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Clement Walker Heneage VC
IM-000228 January 1859
Clement Heneage, a Victoria Cross recipient, distinguished himself at Gwalior on 17 June 1858, capturing enemy artillery.