What Happened in 1857 — Events, Births & Deaths

The University of Calcutta is formally founded as the first fully fledged university in South Asia.

Second Opium War: France and the United Kingdom declare war on China.

The Supreme Court of the United States rules 7–2 in the Dred Scott v. Sandford case that the Constitution does not confer citizenship on black people.

Sepoy Mangal Pandey of the 34th Regiment, Bengal Native Infantry mutinies against the East India Company's rule in India and inspires the protracted Indian Rebellion of 1857, also known as the Sepoy Mutiny.

The Spirits Book by Allan Kardec is published, marking the birth of Spiritualism in France.

Indian Rebellion of 1857: In India, the first war of Independence begins. Sepoys mutiny against their commanding officers at Meerut.

Indian Rebellion of 1857: Indian rebels seize Delhi from the British.

Mindon Min is crowned as King of Burma in Mandalay, Burma.

Louis Faidherbe, French governor of Senegal, arrives to relieve French forces at Kayes, effectively ending El Hajj Umar Tall's war against the French.

Indian Rebellion: Sixty-eight men hold out for eight days against a force of 2,500 to 3,000 mutinying sepoys and 8,000 irregular forces.

The Indian Rebellion of 1857 ends with the recapture of Delhi by troops loyal to the East India Company.

The Russian warship Lefort capsizes and sinks during a storm in the Gulf of Finland, killing all 826 aboard.

Second relief of Lucknow: Twenty-four Victoria Crosses are awarded, the most in a single day.