From Lieutenant and Brevet-Captain J. A. Wright to the Adjutant of the Rife Instruction Depot concerning the reaction of the Indian soldiers to the Enfield cartridges, 22 January 1857

From Lieutenant and Brevet-Captain J. A. WRIGHT, Commanding the Rifle Instruction Depot, to the Adjutant of the Rife Instruction Depot,--dated Dum Dum, 22nd January 1857.

        I have the honor to report, for the information of Major Bontein, Commanding the Depot, that there appears to be a very unpleasant feeling existing among the native soldiers who are here for instruction, regarding the grease used in preparing the cartridges, some evil disposed persons having spread a report that it consists of a mixture the fat of pigs and cows.

        2. The belief in this report has been strengthened by the behaviour of a khalasi attached to the magazine, who, I am told, asked a sepoy of the 2nd Regiment, Native (Grenadier) Infantry, to supply him with water from his lota; the sepoy refused, observing he was not aware of what caste the man was. The khalasi immediately rejoined-- “You will soon lose your caste, as ere long you will have to bite cartridges covered with the fat of pigs and cows,”--or words to that effect.

        3. Some of the depot men, in conversing with me on the subject last night, said that the report has spread throughout India, and when they go to their homes their friends will refuse to eat with them. I assured them (believing it to be the case) that the grease used is composed of mutton fat and wax; to which they replied-- “It may be so, but our friends will not believe it; let us obtain the ingredients from the bazar [sic] and make it up ourselves; we shall then know what used, and be able to assure our fellow-soldiers and others that there is nothing in it prohibited by our caste.”

        In conclusion, I most respectfully beg to represent that by adopting the measure suggested by the men, the possibility of any misunderstanding regarding the religious prejudices of the natives in general will be prevented.

From: Selections from the Letters Despatches and other State Papers preserved in the Military Department of the Government of India, 1857-58.  Edited by George W. Forrest.  Calcutta: Military Department Press 1893, 3.