Indian Mutiny

Jun-Sept 1857
Mahattras — versus — British East India Company

Delhi — June-Sept 1857      Cawnpore — June-Dec 1857     
Lucknow — June 1857 - March 1858      Jhansi and other Rebel Strongholds — 1857-1858     

Introduction

BRITISH SOLDIERS WERE SEEN FIGHTING THEIR WAY THROUGH THE STREETS.

The Indian Mutiny was the worst crisis in the history of British India, and one of the worst crises in all the years of Britain's colonial rule. It occurred a century after the Battle of Plassey, and was likely inspired by a prophecy that the British rule in India would "last 100 years". The causes of the mutiny are often given as an almost endless list of every policy ever invoked by the British rulers that disturbed any portion of the Indian native populace, combined with every incompetent or unsuccessful foreign policy or staffing decision ever made by the Imperial government. There is unquestionably truth to many of these explanations, but they are so various and wide-ranging, involving religious, social, economic, and military oppressions, that any effort to determine the "root cause" of the rebellion, on any particular list of policy blunders is bound to be incomplete. Many of the difficulties and missteps Britain had in governing India had very long term, complicated histories, yet even when the rebellion occurred, a great many natives remained faithful to British rule throughout the crisis. This may seem surprising, but India was never a homogenous country either ethnically, or religiously, and distrust between various native populations was often even more pronounced than dislike of the British. Had the grievances and rebellion been universal, or the Indians natives united instead of divided, the empire would likely have been lost.

The leaders of the mutiny included many of the dispossessed Moslem aristocracy of Northern India as well as high caste Hindus, since it was the upper classes who had lost the most influence under British rule. For a variety of reasons, they believed the time was at hand when they had a chance to reclaim their former status. The real "cause" of the rebellion, therefore, was the same as that of many other wars: one set of antagonists believed they had a good chance of success if they took the offensive.

Book Links
Heroes of the Indian Mutiny  by  Edward Gilliat

Delhi : June-Sept 1857

AT DELHI, BURGESS RUSHED TO THE POWDER BAGS, FIRED THEM, AND FELL MORTALLY WOUNDED.

The actual mutiny itself began when a division of sepoys in Meerut refused to used new cartridges supplied to them, which were thought to have been greased with cow and pig lard. The following day, two other divisions revolted, murdered some number of Europeans, and marched to Delhi, which soon became the center of the rebellion. There still existed in Delhi a Moghul emperor whose realm had been reduced to little beyond the city limits, but he was proclaimed emperor of all of India by the mutineers. All available British divisions descended on Delhi, and a British siege of the Rebel stronghold was begun in June, but it was unable to accomplish anything until receiving large reinforcements from the Crimea and China in September. As soon as sufficient forces and armaments arrived, a coordinated assault on Delhi was made. The battle was a horrendous one with savage atrocities committed on both sides.

Date	Battle Summary
1857	Battle of Baduli-ki-Serai (Delhi ) British victory Fought June 8, 1857, when a British force, under Sir Henry Barnard, defeated a large body of mutineers, who were opposing their march to Delhi. All the rebels' guns were captured.
1857	Siege of Delhi (Delhi ) British victory After the outbreak at Meerut, Delhi became the rallying place of the mutineers, and on June 8, 1857, Sir Harry Barnard commenced the siege of the city. His force was too small for a complete investment, while the mutineers numbered 30,000, and could obtain continual reinforcements, and ample supplies. The garrison made constant sorties, and fighting was incessant at the outposts. On September 8 the breaching batteries opened fire, and on the 14th the final assault was made and the city entered. It was not however, till the 20th that the Palace was taken, and all resistance at an end. Among those who fell was John Nicholson.
1857	Battle of Nujufghur (Jansi ) British victory Fought August 24, 1857, between 6,000 rebels, under Mohammed Bukht Khan, and a small British force, under John Nicholson. The rebels were defeated, at small cost, with a loss of over 800 men and all their guns.

Commander	Short Biography
John Nicholson	Famous Military hero. Led the storming party on Delhi during the mutiny and died during the assault.
Lord Roberts	Career officer, saw service in Indian Mutiny, Afghanistan, Abyssinia, India and South Africa.
Bakht Khan	Commander of the Sepoys during the siege of Delhi. Escaped from Delhi and continued the fight at Lucknow.
Bahadur Shah	Last Moghul Emperor. He was declared the leader of the sepoy rebellion by the forces in Delhi.

Story Links	Book Links
Cawnpore, Lucknow, Delhi  in	Stories from English History, Part Third  by  Alfred J. Church
Before the Mutiny  in	Heroes of the Indian Mutiny  by  Edward Gilliat
Sir Thomas Seaton  in	Heroes of the Indian Mutiny  by  Edward Gilliat
Sir Herbert B. Edwardes  in	Heroes of the Indian Mutiny  by  Edward Gilliat
Hodson of Hodson's Horse  in	Heroes of the Indian Mutiny  by  Edward Gilliat
General Henry D. Daly  in	Heroes of the Indian Mutiny  by  Edward Gilliat
Field-Marshal Lord Roberts  in	Heroes of the Indian Mutiny  by  Edward Gilliat
Lord Roberts and Delhi  in	Heroes of the Indian Mutiny  by  Edward Gilliat
John Nicholson  in	Heroes of the Indian Mutiny  by  Edward Gilliat
General A. Taylor  in	Heroes of the Indian Mutiny  by  Edward Gilliat
Sikh Monument  in	Tales from Canterbury Cathedral  by  Mrs. Frewen Lord
Mutiny—Delhi  in	Our Empire Story  by  H. E. Marshall
Victoria—The Siege of Delhi  in	Our Island Story  by  H. E. Marshall
Mutiny  in	The Story of Lord Roberts  by  Edmund Francis Sellar
Mutiny (continued)  in	The Story of Lord Roberts  by  Edmund Francis Sellar
Ridge at Delhi  in	The Story of Lord Roberts  by  Edmund Francis Sellar
Indian Mutiny  in	The Reign of Queen Victoria  by  M. B. Synge
Delhi  in	The Boy's Book of Battles  by  Eric Wood

Cawnpore : June-Dec 1857

THE THATCHED ROOFS OF THE BOATS BLAZING FURIOUSLY

Meanwhile, other rebellions broke out, primarily in the region of the Ganges valley. Besides Delhi the towns best known for the rebellion are Cawnpore, and Lucknow. The former was besieged by mutineers on June 6, 1857, and the latter on June 30. Both cities were the scene of terrific heroism and appalling atrocities. From Cawnpore, there were scarecly four survivors out of over a thousand Europeans and loyal natives. The garrison was promised safe transport if they surrendered but they were fired upon and massacred as they descended to boats waiting in the river. The women and children were held hostage, and then killed before a relieving force arrived. Havelock had led the relief party to Cawnpore, but soon after the battle of Maharajpur, he gathered another party to relieve Lucknow. Unfortunately, his forces were too diminished to continue through hostile territory, so he had to fall back to Cawnpore and await reinforcements. The final conquest of Cawnpore was delayed until after Lucknow had been relieved.

Date	Battle Summary
1857	Siege of Cawnpur (Cawnpore ) Sepoys victory The Residency of Cawnpur was invested by the mutineers June 6, 1857, and defended by a small garrison until June 24, when the survivors, about 450 in number, surrendered under promise from the Nana Sahib of a safe conduct to Allahabad. They were, however, fired upon as they took to the boats, and only a few escaped. The survivors of this massacre were afterwards murdered in cold blood by order of the Nana Sahib.
1857	Battle of Futteypur (Cawnpore ) British victory Fought July 12, 1857, between a strong force of rebels, and the British troops under Havelock, who was marching to the relief of Lucknow. The rebels were completely defeated, losing 11 guns, while not a single European in the British force was killed.
1857	Battle of Aong (Cawnpore ) British victory Fought July 15, 1857, between the British relieving force under Havelock and the mutineers who were opposing their advance on Cawnpore. The rebels were defeated and driven from their entrenchments.
1857	Battle of Pandu Naddi (Cawnpore ) British victory Fought July 15, 1857, between a British relieving force. under Havelock, and the mutineers who were opposing his advance to Cawnpore. By a forced march in the heat of the day, Havelock succeeded in seizing the bridge over the Pandu Naddi, which the mutineers were engaged in mining, thus securing an open road to Cawnpore. The rebels were driven off after a short engagement.
1857	Battle of Maharajpur (Cawnpore ) drawn battle victory Fought July 16, 1857, between 5,000 rebels, under the Nana Sahib, and the British relieving force, under Havelock. The Nana was entrenched across the Grand Trunk Road, and his position being too strong for a frontal attack, Havelock turned his left flank. After severe fighting the rebels were defeated, though Havelock was left with only 800 Europeans available for further service. On the following day Cawnpore was re-occupied.
1857	Battle of Arrah (Cawnpore ) British victory A house in Arrah was, in 1857, defended by Mr. Boyle, with 16 Englishmen and 60 Sikh police, against the attacks of three revolted native regiments, led by a Zemindar named Kur Singh. This small garrison held out from July 25 till August 3, when they were relieved by a small field force under Major Vincent Eyre.
1857	Battle of Bithur (Cawnpore ) British victory Fought August 16, 1857, when 4,000 mutineers, strongly posted, were attacked and routed by the relieving force under General Havelock. When driven from their position, the rebels had to cross a stream in their rear by a small bridge, and had Havelock possessed an adequate cavalry force, but few could have escaped.
1857	Battle of Pandu Naddi (Cawnpore ) British victory Fought November 26, 1857, between 1,400 British, under General Windham, and the advance guard of the mutineers and the Gwalior contingent, under the Nana Sahib. The rebels were posted beyond the river, and the British crossing the dry bed, drove them from their entrenchments, capturing 3 guns. Windham, then finding himself close to the main body of mutineers, retired towards Cawnpore.
1857	Battle of Cawnpur (Delhi ) British victory Fought December 6, 1857, between the British under Sir Colin Campbell, and 25,000 rebels, including the Gwalior contingent. The mutineers were routed at all points, and fled, pursued by the cavalry for 14 miles, suffering heavy loss. Out of 36 guns, 32 were captured. The British lost 99 only.

Commander	Short Biography
Henry Havelock	Led a division to relieve Lucknow during the Sepoy Rebellion. Died during the siege.
Nana Sahib	Adopted son of the Marthi Peshwar. Leader of the Indian Mutiny.
Colin Campbell	Commanded the Highland Brigade during the Crimean War. Also served in India.

Story Links	Book Links
Cawnpore, Lucknow, Delhi  in	Stories from English History, Part Third  by  Alfred J. Church
Field-Marshal Henry Wylie Norman  in	Heroes of the Indian Mutiny  by  Edward Gilliat
Heroes of Cawnpur  in	Heroes of the Indian Mutiny  by  Edward Gilliat
Monuments of Westminster in	Back Matter  by  books/lord/westminster/_back.html
Mutiny—Cawnpore  in	Our Empire Story  by  H. E. Marshall
Cawnpore and Lucknow  in	The Story of Lord Roberts  by  Edmund Francis Sellar
How the Sepoys Gave Themselves Up to the Devil in	India  by  Victor Surridge

Lucknow : June 1857 to March 1858

THE 93RD HIGHLANDERS CLEARING THE SECUNDER BAGH BEFORE LUCKNOW

The Mutineers did not attack Lucknow until the end of June, so the garrison there had time to prepare for a siege. Henry Lawrence, the commander in charge was far sighted and fortified the residency but he was killed in one of the first days of the siege. The defenders held out for several months before the first relieving force, led by Havelock arrived, and even then it was not strong enough to lift the siege, but only to assist the defenders. The original plan of evacuating the garrison was abandoned because there were too many sick and wounded who could not possibly leave the fortified residence. The defenders settled in for what they knew would be a long wait for further relief. It was not until Delhi was completely pacified, near the end of September, that any more forces could possibly be spared for Lucknow, and they would have to fight their way through hostile territory. Finally, at the end of November that a large force lead by Colin Campbell finally relieved Lucknow. Many of the rebels fled to a fortified palace outside of town, which was not taken for several more months.

Date	Battle Summary
1857	Siege of Lucknow (Lucknow ) British victory On the approach of the rebel Sepoy army, July 1, 1857, the garrison and residents took refuge in the Residency, which had been prepared to stand a siege. On September 19, 1857, a force of 3,179 British troops, under Havelock and Outram, left Cawnpore to relieve the garrison. On the 23rd they encountered and defeated a force of 12,000 rebels at the Alumbagh, capturing 5 guns. On the 25th they forced the Charbagh bridge, and captured the Secunderbagh, and the main body, after prolonged street fighting, reached the Residency, the rearguard with the wounded getting in on the 26th. The loss during the operations amounted to 535, while the garrison up to this time had lost 483 killed and wounded, Outram now took command and the garrison held out until November 19, when it was relieved, after very heavy fighting, by a column under Sir Colin-Campbell, and the whole force withdrawn. On March 1, 1858, the recovery of the city from the rebels commenced by the capture of the Alumbagh, and was completed on the 21st, when the mutineers were finally driven from the place. During the interval the various fortresses and palaces held by the rebels were successively carried by assault, the fighting in many cases being exceedingly severe.
1857	Battle of Onao (Lucknow ) British victory Fought July 28, 1857, between Havelock's relieving force, 1,500 strong, and the rebels, who occupied a strong position near Onao, so protected on the flanks that a frontal attack was necessary. This was successful, and after the town had been passed, a further attack by the mutineers was repulsed, with a loss of 300 men and 15 guns.
1857	Battle of Secunderbagh (Lucknow ) British victory Fought November 16, 1857, during the second relief of Lucknow, by Sir Colin Campbell. The Secunderbagh, a walled enclosure of strong masonry, held by a large body of rebels, was, after a bombardment of about an hour and a half, taken by storm by the 93rd Highlanders and the 4th Punjabis, with very heavy loss to the enemy, over 2,000 dead bodies being afterwards carried out of the enclosure.
1857	Battle of Goraria (Lucknow ) British victory Fought November 23 and 24, 1857, between a British column, about 3,000 strong, under Brigadier Stuart, and a body of 5,000 rebels. The mutineers occupied a strong position, and the British were unable to dislodge them on the 23rd. On the following day the attack was renewed, and the rebels were driven out and dispersed, with a loss of over 1,500.
1858	Battle of Musa Bagh (Danish Invasion ) British victory Fought March 19, 1858, when a British force, under Sir James Outram, totally routed a body of mutineers, 7,000 strong, under Huzrat Mahul, Begum of Oude, which was holding the Musa Bagh, a fortified palace in the outskirts of Lucknow.

Commander	Short Biography
Henry Lawrence	Statesman in British India who promoted the welfare of the Indian natives. Died at the siege of Lucknow.
Henry Havelock	Led a division to relieve Lucknow during the Sepoy Rebellion. Died during the siege.
James Outram	Hero of the sieges of Cawnpore and Lucknow during the Sepoy Rebellion.
Colin Campbell	Commanded the Highland Brigade during the Crimean War. Also served in India.

Story Links	Book Links
Cawnpore, Lucknow, Delhi  in	Stories from English History, Part Third  by  Alfred J. Church
Sir Henry and John Lawrence  in	Heroes of the Indian Mutiny  by  Edward Gilliat
Havelock and Outram  in	Heroes of the Indian Mutiny  by  Edward Gilliat
Sir Colin Campbell  in	Heroes of the Indian Mutiny  by  Edward Gilliat
Lord Clyde  in	Heroes of the Indian Mutiny  by  Edward Gilliat
Sepoy Army Revolts  in	India: Peeps at History  by  Beatrice Home
Mutiny—Lucknow  in	Our Empire Story  by  H. E. Marshall
Victoria—The Pipes at Lucknow  in	Our Island Story  by  H. E. Marshall
End of the Company  in	India  by  Victor Surridge
Indian Mutiny  in	Growth of the British Empire  by  M. B. Synge
Lucknow and Delhi  in	The Reign of Queen Victoria  by  M. B. Synge

Jhansi and other Rebel Strongholds : 1857 to 1858

ROBERTS SAVING THE GUNS

Besides Delhi, Cawnpore and Lucknow, there were several other centers of rebellion, but until these three cities were pacified, there were no troops available resist Jhansi and other rebel strongholds. The rebellion in Jhansi was lead by the widow of the local Raja, who had lost control of the territory when her husband died childless. The rebels of Jhansi fled to Gwailor when the city was retaken by the British in March 1858. Other regions that participated in the rebellion included Agra, Oudh, Kotah and Banda. By the summer of 1858, all of the known centers of rebellion were crushed and by the end of 1958, the last vestiges of the rebellion had been put down.

Date	Battle Summary
1857	Battle of Agra (Jansi ) British victory On August 2, 1857, the British garrison holding Agra sallied out to attack a body of 10,000 rebels encamped within four miles of the city. The Kotah contingent, which formed a portion of the British force, deserted to the mutineers, and the British troops, hard pressed and short of ammunition, were driven back into Agra, and forced to take refuge in the fort. In October of the same year Colonel Greathed's column of four battalions and two cavalry regiments encountered close to Agra a force of 7,000 mutineers. The rebels at first held their own, but were eventually put to flight, and pursued with great slaughter for ten miles.
1857	Battle of Jhansi (Jansi ) British victory This place, which fell into the hands of the mutineers in June, 1857, was recaptured by Sir Hugh Rose, who invested it in March, 1858, and carried the city by assault, April 2.
1858	Siege of Kotah (Jansi ) British victory This place, which had been seized by the rebellious troops of the Rajah of Kotah, 5,000 in number, was besieged by General Roberts, March 22, 1858. The Rajah, who held the citadel, joined forces with the British, and after a short bombardment the town was stormed, March 30.
1858	Battle of the Betwa (Jansi ) British victory Fought April 1, 1858, between 1,200 British under Sir Hugh Rose, forming part of the force besieging Jhansi, and 20,000 rebels, chiefly belonging to the Gwalior contingent, under Tantia Topi. The enemy was thrown into confusion by a charge of cavalry on the flank, and, being then attacked with the bayonet, broke and fled, leaving 1,000 dead on the field and all their guns.
1858	Battle of Azimghur (Jansi ) British victory Fought April 15, 1858, between a British column, composed of three regiments of infantry and three of Sikh cavalry, under Sir Edward Layard, and the Dinapur mutineers, about 5,000 strong, under Kur Singh. The rebels were routed and dispersed, Kur Singh falling mortally wounded.
1858	Battle of Banda (Jansi ) British victory Fought April 19, 1858, between a force of rather over 1,000 British troops under General Whitlock, and 7,000 mutineers under the Nawab of Banda. After an obstinate conflict the rebels were totally routed.
1858	Siege of Kalpi (Jansi ) British victory This town, which had fallen into the hands of the mutineers, was besieged by Sir Hugh Rose, May 19, 1858. The garrison made two ineffectual sorties, in which they were repulsed with heavy loss, and on the 23rd the town was entered without further resistance, the mutineers having fled.
1858	Battle of Gaulauli (Jansi ) British victory Fought May 22, 1858, between a British column under Sir Hugh Rose, and 20,000 rebels under Tantia Topi, the Ranee of Jhansi, and other rebel leaders. The overwhelming numbers of the rebels at first gave them the advantage, but a bayonet charge broke them, and they fled in disorder with heavy loss. This victory was followed by the recovery of Calpi.
1858	Battle of Gwalior (Lucknow ) British victory Fought June 17, 18 and 19, 1858, between a British column under Sir Hugh Rose, and a large body of rebels, led by the Ranee of Jhansi in person. On the 17th the mutineers were driven out of the cantonments with heavy loss, while on the following days the important positions in the town were captured in succession, until by the evening of the 19th, the British were in undisputed possession of Gwalior. The Ranee was known to be amongst the slain, though her body was never found.

Commander	Short Biography
Lord Roberts	Career officer, saw service in Indian Mutiny, Afghanistan, Abyssinia, India and South Africa.
Rani of Jhansi	The Rani of Jhansi led the rebels in their defense of Jhansi and died it battle at Gwalior.
Sir Hugh Rose	leader of the British force besieging Jhansi.

Story Links	Book Links
Sir Hugh Rose and Jhansi  in	Heroes of the Indian Mutiny  by  Edward Gilliat

Image Links
Cawnpore  in Stories from English History, Part Third	James Hills' brave charge  in Heroes of the Indian Mutiny	Mungul Pandy  in Heroes of the Indian Mutiny
Blowing up the Kashmir Gate  in Heroes of the Indian Mutiny	Lieutenant Roberts finding General Nicholson wounded  in Heroes of the Indian Mutiny	Hodson and his boar spear  in Heroes of the Indian Mutiny
The massacre of Cawnpur  in Heroes of the Indian Mutiny	Outram and the Tiger  in Heroes of the Indian Mutiny	Jhansi  in Heroes of the Indian Mutiny
""Relief of Lucknow;Jessie's  in  The Story of the English	The 93rd Highlanders clearing the Secunder Bagh before Lucknow  in India: Peeps at History	You will soon have no caste left yourself.'  in Red Book of Heroes
Not one of their movements passed unnoticed by her.  in Red Book of Heroes	The place was swarming with rats.  in Red Book of Heroes	The young aide-de-camp did not waste time in arguing.  in Red Book of Heroes
Often . . .he had felt that a terrible death was very near.  in Red Book of Heroes	The boats stuck in the mud and were an easy mark.  in Our Empire Story	British soldiers were seen fighting their way through the streets.  in Our Empire Story
Dinna ye here them! Dinna ye hear them!'  in Our Island Story	Roberts saving the guns  in The Story of Lord Roberts	Roberts winning the Victoria Cross  in The Story of Lord Roberts
The thatched roofs of the boats blazing furiously  in India	See', he said, 'here is one of my monkeys.'  in India	Delhi, 1853  in The Reign of Queen Victoria
Cawnpore in 1857  in The Reign of Queen Victoria	Lucknow  in The Reign of Queen Victoria	Lucknow The Residency  in The Reign of Queen Victoria
Assault of Delhi Capture of the Cashmere Gate  in The Reign of Queen Victoria	Delhi: Burgess rushed to the powder bags, fired them, and fell mortally wounded.  in The Boy's Book of Battles