Explain how the Sepoy Mutiny validated harsh, direct, imperial control in India during the British Raj.

The Sepoy Mutiny started as a rebellion against the British East India Company and their new policies. The British East India Company now required that new cartridges must be greased with a substance that was a combination of pork and beef fat. This upset several Sepoys, as many of them were Hindu (and thought cows were sacred) and Muslim (prohibited from interacting/eat pork products).

This caused the Sepoys to kill British officers and lead to this group trying to overthrow the current British government in New Delhi. These violent actions and radical ideas somewhat justified Britain's retaliation. Without implementing a strict rule, Britain knew they would lose control of this territory and many more of their soldiers could be killed.