In the context of the Indian Rebellion of 1857, the term "bhatta" refers to the controversy surrounding the greased cartridges used in the new Enfield rifles issued to the soldiers of the British East India Company. The cartridges were rumored to be greased with a mixture of cow and pig fat. Loading the rifle required biting off the end of the cartridge, a practice deeply offensive to both Hindu and Muslim soldiers due to religious beliefs. The discontent over the use of these cartridges contributed to the outbreak of the rebellion as it was seen as a deliberate attempt to undermine the religious sentiments of the sepoys (Indian soldiers) and played a crucial role in sparking the uprising.