The Indian Mutiny 1857

Description

The bloody insurrection of 1857 that became known as the Indian Mutiny remains a dark stain on Britain's Imperial past. The British complacency that fuelled the rebellion; the ease with which it is spread; the horrific massacres of innocents and the merciless retribution that followed; and the bravery of those who fought together made this a conflict that marked both countries. Now Saul David casts fresh light on this extraordinary episode, challenging many of the long-standing assumptions about both its causes and the inevitability of British victory.

Author description

Saul David was born near Monmouth in 1966 and educated at Ampleforth and Edinburgh University. His previous books, include Mutiny at Salerno: An Injustice Exposed (made into a BBC Timewatch documentary), The Homicidal Earl: The Life of Lord Cardigan, and Prince of Pleasure: The Prince of Wales and the making of the Regency. He lives in Somerset with his wife and two children.

Table of contents

Prologue - "The Electric Telegraph" has saved us; the East India Company; "Carlo" Canning; professional grievances; "Go to hell - don't bother me!"; the conspiracy; the greased cartridges; Mungul Pandy; the storm bursts; Delhi; "The worst of the storm is past"; the mutiny spreads; Oudh; Cawnpore; Satichaura Ghat; the backlash; enter Sir Colin Campbell; the fall of Delhi; the relief of Lucknow; the reconquest of Oudh; the Rani of Jhansi; "War is at an end". Appendices - was 31 May 1857 the date fixed for a general mutiny of the Bengal Army?; the civilian conspiracy and rebel chiefs; the motive for mutiny; the post-mutiny reform of the Indian Army.