(3) The first war of independence took place in Meerut during 1857. The Indian Rebellion of 1857 was a major uprising in India in 1857–58 against the rule of the British East India Company.. It is known by many names, including the Sepoy Mutiny, the Indian Mutiny, the Great Rebellion, the Revolt of 1857, the Indian Insurrection, and India's First War of Independence.