Why were the Sikh loyal during the 1857 Mutiny?

The East India Company's twin wars of conquest against the Sikhs were still raw memories when the Bengal sepoy mutiny of 1857 broke out. Many regiments of Sikhs, both infantry and cavalry, regulars and irregulars, were serving in the British forces on the sub-continent. Not only did all of these units remain loyal during the Mutiny, they fought with particularly distinguished courage on behalf of the British.

Why didn't the Sikhs leap on what could have been a perfect chance to reassert their independence? I've read that soldierly respect for British soldiers, and contempt for the fighting skills of the mutinous sepoys - as well as religious factors - are what kept the Sikh units loyal.

The Gurkhas, too, fought with distinction on behalf of the British. These groups had the least to gain if the Hindus regained power and further expanded the caste system

Long after the 1857 mutiny, Sikhs were organised into their own regiments. This is still the case in the modern Indian army

Their hatred muslims made them side with the brits, they were at constant war with muslims before brits came.

There was a case of a Sikh guru who refused to be released from prison unless the Muslim princes were also freed. His captors made a deal: they would release all the men who could hold onto his coat. In response, the guru had a special long coat made so everyone could grab the end

Lirelou, the Guru was Gar Govind Singh. His ingenious rescue of his fellow-prisoners on Diwali in 1619 continues to be celebrated by modern-day Sikhs
http://sikhism.about.com/od/commemorativecelebrations/a/Bandi_Chhor.htm