Dum Dum Arsenal

Dum Dum Arsenal (sometimes refered to as Dum-Dum Arsenal) was a British colonial arsenal localed near the town of Dum Dum in modern West Bengal, India. The arsenal is famously known for being at the center of the cartridge grease controversy in the events leading up to the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The creation of the "Dum Dum Bullet", the world's first expanding bullet also took place in the arsenal.

Indian Rebellion of 1857
In 1856 the arsenal had begun greasing cartridges with tallow and issued similarly prepared cartridges sent from Britain to Indian soldiers. These cartridges were only meant to be distributed to European soldiers but due to human error were also given to locals. Since the tallow could be composed of either cow or pig fat it would be considered sinful for followers of the Hindu, Islamic, and even Sikh faith to use them. An Indian worker at the arsenal who noticed this would one day approach a Brahmin caste soldier asking for a drink of water from his pack. The Brahmin would refuse citing his inferior caste to which the worker would taunt him about the introduction of the newer cartridges that would cause him to lose his caste upon using. The Brahmin upon hearing such news rushed "horror-stricken" to his comrades to reveal this news, these rumors would eventually spread throughout the army and civilian population adding fuel to the fire that the British were attempting to convert India into a Christian nation.

Dum Dum Bullet
The Dum Dum Bullet was invented by Captain Bertie Clay at the arsenal in the late 1890s. The bullet was intended for the British .303 rifle, upon impact the bullet would expand due to the removed casing on the tip of the cartridge. The bullet would eventually be banned for use by the Hague Declaration of 1899.