Strategy & Tactics #320: Sepoy Mutiny 1857–1859 is a two-player strategic wargame simulating the fierce and unpredictable Indian Rebellion of 1857–1858, when sepoy troops of the British East India Company rose against their colonial masters. One player commands the British Empire and loyalist forces, while the other leads the Rebel armies seeking to expel British control and restore Indian independence. The game captures the complex loyalties, regional politics, and rapid shifts of fortune that defined one of the most dramatic uprisings of the 19th century.

• Historical Background: The Sepoy Mutiny, also known as the First War of Indian Independence, began as a military mutiny but quickly escalated into a widespread rebellion across northern and central India. Sepoy soldiers, joined by regional rulers, peasants, and irregular forces, challenged the British East India Company’s rule. The campaign became a brutal contest for control of cities, fortresses, and provinces — with both sides fighting under the pressures of loyalty, faith, and survival.
• Gameplay Overview: The British player commands Regular Army units, Punjab troops (including Sikhs), Loyal Sepoys, Nepalese allies, and auxiliary forces spread across the subcontinent. The Rebel player begins with few forces but can trigger mutinies and uprisings to gain new troops from Sepoy and Badmash formations. Both sides can influence Princely States to join their cause, adding a dynamic diplomatic layer to the struggle.
• Game System & Scale: Based on the acclaimed system used in They Died with Their Boots On (S&T Issues 236 & 242), Sepoy Mutiny employs an interactive sequence of play where command decisions, rebellions, and events are randomly generated — reflecting the unpredictable and chaotic nature of the real campaign. Each turn represents roughly two months of real time, and each hex covers approximately 40 miles (64 kilometres). Units represent between 2,000 and 10,000 troops, while leader counters depict prominent commanders with their staffs and elite bodyguards.
• Strategic Depth: The game balances military action, political allegiance, and regional control. The British must maintain fragile lines of communication and put down revolts before they spread. The Rebels must mobilise fast, gain regional allies, and sustain the uprising before British reinforcements arrive from across the Empire. Every decision — whether to defend, march, or incite mutiny — can change the fate of India.

Game Components:

• 1 x 22” x 34” full-colour map depicting colonial India during the rebellion
• 176 die-cut counters representing British, Rebel, and Princely State forces
• Interactive rules system covering command, mutiny, and event-driven play
• Optional solitaire playability for historical exploration

Scale:
Players: 2
Level: Strategic
Hex: 40 Miles (64 km)
Turn: 2 Months

Gameplay Focus: Sepoy Mutiny offers a richly thematic and historically grounded experience that captures the chaos, shifting loyalties, and moral complexity of the 1857 uprising. The randomised event system ensures no two games play the same, keeping both players on edge as alliances change and the balance of power shifts across the subcontinent.

Strategy & Tactics #320: Sepoy Mutiny 1857–1859 delivers a compelling mix of strategic warfare, political manoeuvre, and historical drama, ideal for enthusiasts of colonial and 19th-century military history.

Available now from Milsims Games — Australia’s leading destination for historical wargames, strategy titles, and military simulations for over 50 years. Price-match guarantee and fast shipping from Mont Albert, VIC.

Help other Milsims Games users shop smarter by writing reviews for products you have purchased.