1857 War of Independence or a Clash of Civilizations?: British Public Reactions (Hardcover)

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Product Description

This book offers an interesting and illuminating study of Great Britain and Indo-Pakistan subcontinent in the nineteenth century. It sheds light on the motives behind British imperialism in South Asia and religious interactions in India between Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Sikhism. It also provides an informative backdrop behind the concept of clash of civilizations between Christianity and Islam.

About the Author

Salahuddin Malik is Professor of History at the State University of New York College, Brockport, N.Y..

Product Details

• Hardcover: 350 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 1st edition (September 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195474228
• ISBN-13: 978-0195474220
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #394,660 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A Unique Work, September 7, 2009

By	Nasir Gondal (Syosset, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It is a unique work. It looks into the 1857 war from the eye of a British reader. The subject of the British public attitude towards the mutiny, is an interesting topic and has never occurred to me before.

In those days, there was no electronic media and the news traveled by land or see. The earliest one would hear was in six weeks. So there is a time delay. Then the access was surprising limited. An average British person was neither interested in nor had easy access to India. East India Company has restricted access of an average Briton to India to safeguard its interest and keep it out of view of a common man.

Many players who had a role in providing information had a vested interest. Military personal of East India Company wanted to portray it as a civilian rebellion, and the Civil administration of the Company, wanted to present it as a soldeirs' mutiny. The Evangelicals, who were angry that they did not have the access to India to proselytise wanted to show it as a religious issue and present a case of greater access. Conservatives were against the ambitious annexation policies and blamed that as the root cause of public dissatisfaction.

Mostly it was perceived as a Muslim instigated rebellion. There were news that there was an international conspiracy amongst Muslims against the Infidel West. The context is very interesting that the present day clash of civilization between West and Islam was what was thought in Briton at that time, a clash of Islam and the West.

There are interesting points to be learned. Malik Sahib has done an extraordinary work. It is very easy read, and the flow of language is seamless. I commend him on that.