The Indian Mutiny 1857-58

by Gregory Fremont-Barnes

In the mid-19th century India was the "jewel in the crown" of the British Empire and was protected by the largely native armies of the East India Company. In 1857 discontent exploded into open rebellion, obliging Britain to field its largest army since the Napoleonic Wars, forty years before.

Gregory Fremont Barnes examines the origins of British rule in India, the causes of the conflict, the rival forces and fighting itself, including the...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1846032091
• ISBN13: 9781846032097
• Release Date: May 2007
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (UK)
• Length: 96 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.8" x 9.8"

Customer Reviews

An Outstanding Chronicle of the British in India

This is definitely one of the better books in the Essential Histories series. It is succinct and very well written. The book follows the usual Essential Histories organization of a chronology, the origins of the conflict, the fighting, etc. There are additional chapters on the Raj and why the mutiny failed. These additional chapters not only provide informative analysis, they also act as a nice way to conclude the book. Toward the front, there is a graphic map that lists all the major landmarks and battles. This map is an easy reference for the reader. In addition, the book contains a wide assortment of both black and white and color paintings. The drawings are conveniently placed next to the text, which describes that specific event. Although common sense would dictate that photos are placed next to the relevant text, that is not always the case. In any event, this book got it right. A commonly held belief is that the mutiny was caused by a rumor that the new Enfield cartridges were covered in pig grease. The author, Mr. Fremont Barnes, tells the rest of the story. He goes on to describe underlying causes such as the loss of power by Indian rulers, new enlistment contracts that took away pensions for the sepoys, and a lack of bonding (a.k.a.: leadership) between the British officers and their native troops. The "Fighting" chapter focuses on the three major conflicts, the siege of Delhi, the massacres at Cawnpore, and the relief of Lucknow. The author included clean tactical maps of these three operational areas. Thus, the reader should have no difficulty in understanding the locations and movements of the opposing forces. The book also contains two "Portrait" chapters. The soldier portrait is focused on Brevet Major Anson, who was at the siege of Delhi. The civilian portrait highlights the survival of Amy Horne who was at the Cawnpore massacre. These chapters are written so that the reader can easily associate these people with the events described in the previous pages. The last narrative chapter covers the campaigns of 1858. It is a concise chapter that outlines British operations in hunting down and eliminating the rebel leaders. As noted previously, the author concludes this work with a study of the Raj and why the mutiny failed. He also analyzes how the mutiny affected future generations of English settlers and religious evangelists. Bottom line, this is a concise and well-written book. The reader will find it an easy read. The material is presented in a logical and well-organized manner that allows the reader to easily follow the story line. Definitely one of Osprey's better books.

First-hand source material and the latest research

Gregory Foremont-Barnes' THE INDIAN MUTINY 1857-58 adds to the 'Essential Histories' multi-volume history of war which focuses on war as seen from political, cultural and individual perspectives alike. In the mid-19th century India was the focus of Britain's international and commercial power - its most important colony - but in 1857 there was open rebellion. First-hand source material and the latest research explains why the armies rose up against Britain, strategies used on both sides, and more.