This study demonstrates high strain rate behavior of neat epoxy and epoxy resin reinforced with 2 wt% and 5 wt% alumina nanoparticles. The present study investigates effect of strain rate as well as effect of alumina nanoparticle dispersion on the compressive stress - compressive strain behavior of epoxy resin. Studies were carried out on compressive split Hopkinson pressure bar apparatus in the strain rate range of 700-3200 per sec. Significant enhancement of compressive strength of epoxy resin up to 147% was noted at high strain rate compared with that at quasi-static loading. The corresponding increase for alumina nanoparticle filled epoxy resin was up to 142%. It was also observed that the compressive strength of epoxy resin increases up to 8.6% with the addition of alumina nanoparticles at a strain rate of 3000 per sec. Synthesis of alumina nanoparticle filled epoxy resin, high strain rate and quasi-static testing and main findings of the study are presented in this article. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:2896-2901, 2014. (c) 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers