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Throughout the gruelling hot season and the torrential monsoon rains of 1857, the British in India fought to put down a rebellion spearheaded by the Indian Soldiers of the army. In Lucknow, the capital of the recently annexed state of Oudh, a small garrison of 1,800 British men, women and children--supported by 1,200 loyal Indians--withstood a siege of almost three months against rebels numbering between 20,000 and 50,000. On July 2, Sir Henry Lawrence mortally wounded 3 days into the Siege, handed over command to Brig John Inglis. 87 days later on the 26th September, led by Major General Outram and General Havelock, a relieving force fought its way to Lucknow but was too depleted in strength to break out of the siege. With the constant strain of attack, mine and counter-mine under the walls, the defenders held out until the middle of November when Lord Clyde's forces were sufficient to relief the garrison. By then half of the 3000 original occupants were dead.
Read Lady Inglis' diaries during the Mutiny.
Preface, Page 1-49, 50-99, 100-149, 150-199, 200 -240.
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