In May 1857, with the Indian Mutiny reaching boiling point, Sir
Henry Lawrence summoned from their homes two sets of pensioners,
one of sepoys and one of artillerymen, to defend the Lucknow
British Residency. Lawrence would not clear the mosques surrounding
the 60-acre site, which provided cover for rebel sharpshooters and
artillery – ‘Spare the holy places’ – and was almost
immediately killed by a shell. Thus began one of the most dramatic
episodes in the history of the British Empire: truly a Victorian
epic. Hundreds of women and children cowered in the complex as the
bombs and bullets flew. The first relief attempt led by Maj Gen
Havelock failed. The tens of thousands of besiegers undermined the
defences and food was running out. With massive loss of life and
after 87 days, the relief force reached the Residency – to become
besieged themselves for another six weeks. The 64-year-old Sir
Colin Campbell led the second relief column through the rebels, the
4th Punjab Infantry Regiment emptying their muskets and resorting
to the bayonet. After 148 days under siege, retreat was the only
option and the whole garrison moved to Cawnpore. The following
March, Lucknow was retaken. Victorian military history expert
William Wright returns to primary sources to tell the extraordinary
story.
General
Imprint: |
Amberley Publishing
|
Country of origin: |
United Kingdom |
Release date: |
March 2024 |
Authors: |
William Wright
|
Dimensions: |
234 x 156mm (L x W) |
Pages: |
416 |
ISBN-13: |
978-1-4456-8469-7 |
Categories: |
Books
|
LSN: |
1-4456-8469-1 |
Barcode: |
9781445684697 |
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