The Defence of Lucknow: T F Wilson's Memoir of the Indian Mutiny, 1857 [Hardcover]

T F Wilson (Author), Saul David (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 15, 2007

The Defence of Lucknow is a memoir of the dramatic events of 1857, when the native sepoy troops of the Bengal army dramatically rose up against their colonial masters. The ensuing insurrection was to become the bloodiest in the history of the British Empire, with several thousand killed on both sides. With only 1,700 men, including loyal sepoys, the British fought off many ferocious attacks. The author describes the rebels’ desperate attempts to breach the walls, as well as their extensive use of tunnels. After ninety days, with the British reduced to just 600 soldiers, relief finally arrived. The response to the mutiny was fearsome. Reinforced by Gurkhas from Nepal and the Queen’s regiments fresh from the Crimea War, the British began a bloody campaign to re-establish their rule in India. Whole villages were hanged for real or imagined sympathy for the mutineers. Later, convicted mutineers were lashed to the muzzles of cannon and had a roundshot fired through their body. It was cruel punishment known by the Indians as ‘the devil’s wind’.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Military Heritage, October 2007

“A riveting day-by-day account of the horrors faced by the British and their allies during the siege of Lucknow … Wilson’s journal is rich with detail of the horrible conditions the residents of Lucknow were forced to suffer for nearly three months. As Saul David states in his introduction, Wilson’s account is ‘Among the finest war diaries ever written.’ The book adroitly captures the fighting spirit of the British and native soldiers who endured much in their despairing defense of Lucknow.”

About the Author

T. F. Wilson fought during the Indian Mutiny.

Saul David is a renowned historian, and the author of The Indian Mutiny: 1857, Salerno: An Injustice Exposed and Zulu: The Heroism and Tragedy of the Zulu War of 1879.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Greenhill Books (February 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 185367723X
• ISBN-13: 978-1853677236
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,996,362 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Specialty military collections will find it invaluable., April 9, 2007

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Defence of Lucknow: T F Wilson's Memoir of the Indian Mutiny, 1857 (Hardcover)

Saul David's THE DEFENSE OF LUCKNOW: T.F. WILSON'S MEMOIR OF THE INDIAN MUTINY, 1857 offers insights on a surprising battle which revolved around rifle lubricant. Told by Staff Officer T.F. Wilson, it tells of troops who rose up against their colonial masters and covers the siege of Lucknow, defended by under 2,000 men. Specialty military collections will find it invaluable.