Mutiny

Mutiny, as defined by British military law, is 'collective insubordination,' or the combination of two or more persons to resist or induce others to resist lawful military authority. The punishment laid down in the Army Act of 1881 for this crime and for failing when present to use the utmost effort to suppress it, or, when knowing of a mutiny or intended mutiny, failing to give notice of it to the commanding officer, is death or such less punishment as a court-martial shall award. It may be pointed out that, in view of the above legal definition, one man alone cannot be guilty of mutiny, but may be charged with 'insubordination,' a crime which, in its worst forms, is also punishable by death. On board ship the mutiny of the Bounty (see PITCAIRN ISLAND) in 1789 is memorable, and of that on board the Danaë frigate in 1800; the great naval mutiny at the Nore (q.v.) in 1797 is dealt with specially. The Indian Mutiny is a common name of the Sepoy rebellion of 1857. See INDIA.