 These measures were intended merely to improve the appearance of the Madras soldiers on parade but the sepoys considered them to be an offensive meddling with their religious beliefs.The situation was worsened by the fact that the hat included a leather cockade, made from cow hide.On 10 July 1806, before sunrise, the Indian sepoys stationed in the fort attacked the European barracks there, and by late morning had killed about 15 officers and 100 British soldiers and ransacked their houses.