What were the goals of the Indian Rebellion of 1857?

The Sepoy Mutiny (Indian Rebellion of 1857) was essentially the birth of Indian nationalism and the protest of Indian rule.  The major goal of the uprising was to prevent the assimilation of Indians into Western and British culture.  Indians felt that the British wanted to strip them of their ethnic and religious identities. Another goal of the uprising was to slow down the acquisition of Indian lands by the British East India Company.  The revolt commenced when the Sepoys, Indians that were under British military command to protect East India Company interests, were forced to use new rifle cartridges.  The cartridges were lubricated with cow and pig grease.  This was offensive to Indians because of their Hindu and Muslim religious beliefs.  The new cartridges demonstrated an unwillingness by the British to respect the culture of Indians and was a microcosm of British imperial attitudes.  The widespread nature of the Sepoy Mutiny indicated that this feeling was national and it unified Indians against British rule.