After Meerut and Delhi, it was Lucknow's turn to revolt against the British.
Begum Hazrat Mahal, Nawab Wajid Ali Shah's wife, took charge and fought the British to regain her throne.
The battle in Lucknow continued till early 1858 until the British finally defeated the Indians. Begum Hazrat Mahal sought refuge in Nepal.
"My grandfather was in his teens when the mutiny broke out and he was used as a messenger boy by the British," says Jean Thomas.
"In those days there were no telephones so my grandfather used to be a runner and pass on the information about the rebels to the British army. He saw extremely tough times and matured early in life because of the mutiny."
How does she feel about the mutiny today?
"I don't feel anything," she replies. "I am settled in India. I married an Indian in 1957. I have been married for 50 years now."
Image: Jean Quieros Thomas with one of her students. Inset: Her grandfather's family photographs
Also see:
Images: The 1857 celebrations begin
Revisiting India's First War of Independence
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