The prominent leader who led a rebellion against British rule in India in 1857 was Bahadur Shah II, also known as the last Mughal emperor. This uprising, commonly referred to as the Sepoy Mutiny or the Indian Rebellion of 1857, was fueled by widespread discontent with British policies, including cultural insensitivity and military practices. Although the rebellion ultimately failed, it served as a catalyst for change, leading to the dissolution of the East India Company and the establishment of direct British rule over India, reshaping the country's political landscape.