I highly recommend you re read your history.
Not bollywood history, but real history.
The Sikh Kingdom was one of the last independent kingdoms to be conquered by the British. And the British did it with HINDU troops. So Sikhs were not happy about that. So when some of the Hindus (and Muslims) rebelled in the 1853 rebellion, the British used Sikh troops to bring them in order. The reason they used Sikh troops was because the Sikhs wanted to settle the score with the Hindus.
You can romanticize it all you want but the fact is that in most of Indian history there was never any real unity. Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs were all fighting with each other. that's why the Brits had such an easy time conquering us.
It is recommended you re read your history.
Not madrassa history, but real history.
Firstly,it was 1857 not 1853,
secondly in those times people did not fought for flag or country but for "Namak" or say whosoever pays more.They were paid mercenerys.
Thirdly, Britishers used British troops not "Hindu troops".If America invades Pakistan with army drafted solely from American muslims,would pakistanis blame america and fight back or commit mass suicide since invaders are muslims.A clear case of identity confusion. SaVVY.
fourthly but priorly secondly,Britishers used troops drafted from all religions.The most important role played in seige of Lucknow was by gurkha battalion.So were hindus wanted to avenge some percived greviance they had against themselves.
Fifth, A lot of muslim rulers sided and aided british.That's how nawab of hyedrabad and junagarh were existing in 1947.
sixth,A lot of muslims fought for british,Syed ahemad khan who planted ideological sapling of pakistan is prime example.
I realize that you have to say such silly things to protect you deep held hatred for Muslims.
But historically speaking you are wrong.
By 1857 the Mughals were emperors by name only.
They were not a threat to anyone.
The Sikhs on the other hand, still had the fresh memory of their Hindu brothers kicking their @$$es in the name of the British.
Read scholarly journals on this, the British themselves have said that they used the Sikhs because the Sikhs were pissed at the Hindus.
Oh and on a somewhat related topic.
For all you Indian e-warriors here who hate Muslims and Mughals.
Who did your forefathers turn to when they rebelled against the British?
The Mughals of course, and their message to Bahdur Shaw was "You are our sovereign, kick out these British and take back India"
Just some delicious Irony that the vast majority of you people would rather pretend didn't happen.
The people who participated were as far away from patriotic bunch as it could get.It was a motley crew of a
A Peshwa who has been denied a pension
A princess whose son has not been accepted as heir of the throne
A queen who mismanaged her riasat so badly that even Dalhousie was aghast at state of affairs
Zamindars whose estates have been confiscated
Religious fanatics who hated britishers
A mughal who was made emperor at gunpoint
A pissed off band of soldiers who had varied grievances against britain.
They were not fighting for country or people but for getting their former privileges restored.A despotic ruler was a best symbolic choice for them.Had i been there in 1857,i would have fought for british even if i had a knowledge of the loot and plunder that would follow.
Victory for rebels would have meant over 500 countries instead of 3 and perpetual condemnation to live in a religious theocracy whether hindu or muslim.
Apart from rani laxmibai,all other leaders were simply Pu$$Y.they fled at first sign of fightback
Zafar was a surrender monkey
Begum hazrat mahal and Nana sahib fled to nepal
Said zamindars sided with britishers at first opportunity(After they were promised their estates to be restored).
A side note:Until 20th century muslims were treated as a different cast of hindus rather than a completely different religion.