Armies of the Raj: From the Great Indian Mutiny to Independence, 1858-1947 [Paperback]

Byron Farwell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 17, 1991

"The stories are glorious and told with zest and verve."—Washington Times

Editorial Reviews

Review

With a profusion of anecdotes conveying the character of India under British rule, Farwell offers a panoramic survey of the Indian army during the 90 years between the Sepoy Revolt and the births of independent India and Pakistan. . . . Farwell is particularly entertaining on the subjects of polo playing, tiger hunting, pig-sticking and promiscuous romancing—all popular forms of relaxation for army men. Other matters of interest include discussion of the Sikhs, whose innate ferocity was fully exploited by the British, and an account of the 1919 massacre at Amritsar—a catalytic event that convinced many that the British would never accept Indians as equals. (Publishers Weekly )

Now that the Raj has gone with the winds of change, Byron Farwell's masterly picture is doubly welcome, . . . whether emphasizing the jewels in its military crown, the Jam Sahibs in its cricket matches, the mutinies, massacres, and finally Independence. Salaam! (Elizabeth Longford )

About the Author

During the Second World War, Byron Farwell (1921–1999) served as a captain of engineers attached to the Mediterranean Allied Air Force in the British Eighth Army area.

Product Details

• Paperback: 399 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company (October 17, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393308022
• ISBN-13: 978-0393308020
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #498,668 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Read!!!!, January 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Armies of the Raj: From the Great Indian Mutiny to Independence, 1858-1947 (Paperback)

I greatly enjoyed this book. Not because it was one just filled with dry military maps and campaigns, but because it got down to the core issue itself. Life in the Raj's army, and what the men, both Indian and British, had to go through, up until the Raj was disbanded. Though pro-British in views, it was still a fascinating book.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book on the Indian Army under British Rule, December 21, 1997

By 

[e-mail] (Dallas,Texas,USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Armies of the Raj: From the Great Indian Mutiny to Independence, 1858-1947 (Paperback)

A highly readable, balanced view of the British in India and the development of the Indian Army. Fascinating insights into military life, politics and behind the scenes intrigues. Interesting stories of British society in India. A very well written, colorful and "unputdownable" book for any history buff and, dare I say, for any reader.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The boundary line, September 18, 2003

By 

Jack Purcell (Placitas, NM USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Armies of the Raj: From the Great Indian Mutiny to Independence, 1858-1947 (Paperback)

The British adventure in India and Pakistan was a long and strange one. It began the way a man might commence his descent down a winter hillside when he loses his footing. The ending came with Mahatma Ghandi and Indian independence after WWII. The Sepoy Mutiny came as a point delineating two facets of that experience. Prior to the mutiny John Company (The East India Company) enjoyed a symbiotic relationship with the British Army. The mutiny dramatised the serious need to make some major changes in the administration. Queen Victoria took control of India as ruler. Thus began the Raj.

This fine work follows the Raj from beginning until the end. The British administration of the Far East didn't get a lot easier when John Company lost power. The saga is a long one and a necessary one for the historian who simply loves historic enigma. Creation of the Raj shares a similarity to the US from Reconstruction onward in an obscure way. I recommend this book for the reader who enjoys the futile attempt to understand the threads of the human experience.