The Great Indian Mutiny

Makes use of letters, diaries, and memoirs.

Makes use of letters, diaries, and memoirs.

The Raugh Bibliography of the Indian Mutiny, 1857-1859 is a comprehensive and authoritative research guide and bibliographic platform that identifies and frequently annotates thousands of contemporary, current, and hard-to-find English-and foreign-language books, journal articles, government documents, academic studies, and unpublished personal papers and diaries on all aspects of the Indian Mutiny. Arranged chronologically and topically, chapters cover general Indian history, British imperialism, the East India Company, and its army; the causes of the Indian Mutiny and key Indian leaders (Nana Sahib, Rani of Jhansi, Tantia Topi, and others); and military operations and activities of the Mutiny, with individual chapters focusing on Delhi, Cawnpore, and Lucknow. Other chapters are devoted to participating unit and regimental histories; the aftermath of the Indian Mutiny; London Gazette Despatches; and various supporting services of the British and Indian Armies and related subjects, including intelligence operations and engineer and medical support, the press, religion, literature, gender studies, awards, and monuments and memorials. Further chapters include autobiographies, biographies, journals, and letters of leading military commanders (Campbell, Havelock, Outram, Rose, and Napier) and other Mutiny participants and observers. Document repositories and military archives around the world have been scoured to identify and list hundreds of unpublished participant letters, diaries, and manuscripts; official government documents; and published soldiers' letters. Of significance, this bibliography also enumerates hundreds of book chapters, journal articles, and conference papers originating in India in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Indian Mutiny in 2007 and providing an Indian perspective on events.

The Indian Mutiny of 1857 was the bloodiest insurrection in the history of the British Empire. It began with a large-scale uprising by native troops against their colonial masters, and soon developed into general rebellion as thousands of discontented civilians joined in. It is a tale of brutal murder and heroic resistance from which innocents on both sides could not escape. This work covers the story of the Mutiny. It challenges the accepted wisdom that a British victory was inevitable, showing just how close the mutineers came to dealing a fatal blow to the British Raj.