I’ve been spending my time at the Pune Archives for some research, and reading Bombay Government Gazettes. There’s some extremely interesting things I find in there.
In 1857, the first war for independence was fought. For a quick history lesson, the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny, also known as the Indian Rebellion of 1857, was a major uprising against British rule in India. It began in Meerut, sparked by Indian soldiers' discontent over rifle cartridges rumored to be greased with cow and pig fat. The revolt quickly spread, with significant battles in Delhi, Kanpur, and Lucknow. Although the British suppressed the rebellion by 1858, it led to the end of the East India Company and the establishment of direct British Crown control over India, marking the start of the British Raj.
After the war ended in July 1859, turns out, the Viceroy and Governor General asked for celebrating the 28th of July, 1859 as a day of Thanksgiving for the restoration of “PEACE & TRANQUILITY”. But there is no sign that this was supposed to be an annual affair. The proclamation has been reproduced below.
Notification No 1302, Fort William, Home Department
Ecclesiastical
11 July 1859
PROCLAMATION
The Restoration of PEACE & TRANQUILITY to the QUEEN’S DOMINIONS IN INDIA makes it the grateful duty of the Viceroy & Governor General in Council to direct that a day be appointed for a Solemn THANKSGIVING to ALMIGHTY GOD for His signal Mercies & Protection.
War is at an end; Rebellion is put down; the Noise of Arms is no longer heard where the governing the State have perished in their last struggle; the Presence of large Forces in the Field has ceased to be necessary; Order is re-established; and peaceful Pursuits have everywhere been resumed.
The Viceroy & Governor General in Council desires that THURSDAY, the 28th of July, be observed as a DAY OF GENERAL THANKSGIVING for these great Blessings, and as a Holiday throughout BRITISH INDIA, by all faithful Subjects of the Queen.
Especially His Excellency in Council invites all Her Majesty’s Christian subjects to join in a humble offering of Gratitude & Praise to ALMIGHTY GOD for the many Mercies vouchsafed to them.
The Bishop of Calcutta will be requested to prepare a FORM OF PRAYER to be used on the Day, and recommended to the Congregations under His Lordship’s spiritual control.
Bombay Castle, 13th July, 1859.
On a separate note, I had to reproduce the entire notification on paper with pen, since I am not allowed to carry any electronic device with me in the archives, and I need the Additional Director of Archives to sign-off on each photocopy that needs to be made, and it 8 days to process a photocopying request.
But ChatGPT-4o perfectly reproduced my (difficult-to-read) handwriting in a couple of seconds.