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Various troop types were involved on both sides. There were men from the regular British army
as well as units of the Honourable East India Company (HEIC). Added to this were regiments of
Sikhs, Gurkhas and Beloochis. Irregular units, including Punjabis, also fought alongside the
British, the Royal Navy provided detachments, and cavalry could comprise both regular
regiments as well as ad hoc units. Artillery ranged from HEIC Horse Artillery (from Bengal &
Bombay Presidencies), to elephant-drawn siege guns.
Transport included camels and elephants, a wide variety of carts, and palanquins or dhoolies
(portable screened beds). There were lumbering armies with masses of camp followers and
highly mobile forces of cavalry and horse artillery.
On the mutineers side were units of Bengal Native infantry and cavalry, many of whom retained
vestiges of uniform and equipment. Also present could be badmashes ("riff-raff") and civilians
who attached themselves to the mutineers and who could arrive and disappear with equal
rapidity. Frequently present were religious fanatics, Ghazis, who cared nothing for their own
safety. Afghanis and various groups of tribesmen fought for loot, and several princes provided
troops. They looked upon this as an opportunity to regain lost prestige. Camel gunners and large
numbers of wall-mounted guns on city walls, as at Delhi, also add interest.
Battles ranged from skirmishes to those involving many tens of thousands of combatants. There
were sieges, storming parties and street clearances with house-to-house fighting (again as at
Delhi). Terrain can include built-up areas, large plains, farmland and swamps.
Some of the actions fought are listed below, although this is by no means exhaustive. Skirmishes
against guerilla bands took place until December 1858, and Tantia Topi was not captured until
April of 1859. Numbers involved in the fighting are approximate. The figures in brackets in the
"place" column refers to the state where the action occurred. These are detailed at the foot of the
list.
MUTINEER UNITS
The following lists show what happened to individual Bengal Native Army Regiments during the
Indian Mutiny. (m) = Units that mutinied . (d) = Units that were disbanded or disarmed. "Place
name" is where this occurred. Colour names for infantry relate to uniform facings. Lists are
compiled from information in several secondary sources listed in the bibliography.
CAVALRY.
1st became 1st Duke of York's Own Lancers (Skinner's Horse); 2nd became 2nd Lancers
(Gardner's Horse); 4th became 3rd Skinner's Horse; 6th became 4th Cavalry; 7th became 5th
Cavalry; 8th became 6th King Edward's Own; 17th became 7th Hariana Lancers; 18th became
8th Cavalry.
As with the cavalry, some units only partially mutinied, or were disarmed, and later
reconstituted. Some men were formed into irregular Punjabi infantry units, others became part of
regular Indian Army regiments. Titles of regiments by 1914 were as follows:
21st were disarmed at Peshawar, became 1st Brahmans; 31st became Queen Victoria's Own
Rajput Light Infantry; 32nd partially mutinied, became 3rd Brahmans; 33rd disarmed became
4th Prince Albert Victor's Rajputs; 42nd mutinied Saugor but reformed to become 5th Light
Infantry; 43rd disarmed, reconstituted as 6th Jat Light Infantry; 47th disarmed at Mirzapore
became 7th Duke of Connaught's Own Rajputs; 59th, disarmed at Amritsar, reconstituted as 8th
Rajputs; 63rd, disarmed at Berhampore, reconstituted as 9th Bengal Infantry (9th Gurkha Rifles);
65th became 10th Jats; 66th, originally disbanded for mutiny in 1850, were reconstituted in same
year as 66th Gurkha Regt.(later 1st Gurkhas); 70th disarmed, became 11th Rajputs.
In June 1858 the loyal sepoys from the 21st and 27th Regiments were formed into the 30th and
31st Bombay N.I. At the same time a new Punjabi regiment was formed from the loyal sepoys of
the 3rd, 36th and 61st Bengal N.I.
MUTINEER UNIFORMS/DRESS.
1. Infantry.
Headgear.
Most illustrations show sepoys, once they had mutinied, wearing skull caps or as having retained
their white linen-covered Kilmarnock-style caps. The covers were buttoned on the left side.
Below the covers the caps were : Line companies dark blue with a white band; Rifle companies
green with green bands; Light companies blue with green bands. The odd figure painted without
cap cover could add variety to your army. Other mutineers are shown wearing a loose turban
with one end hanging free down the back.
Jackets.
Red jackets with white turnbacks. Facing colours (collars, cuffs, shoulder straps) are as listed
above. Lace was white. Grenadiers and Light companies had large woollen-edged wings on the
shoulder strapping. These can easily be added with "Milliput" or similar. Rifle companies wore
green uniforms, black facings and black equipment. In many cases jackets were quickly replaced
with native clothing.
Trousers.
Oxford-mixture (blue-black) were worn in the rainy season and white trousers during hot
weather. Trousers were again often replaced by native items (dhotis).
Equipment.
White leather belts,brass plates. Black canvas knapsacks.
Standards.
Some reports mention units, initially at least, as fighting under their old HEIC standards. The
regimental standard of the 41st Bengal N.I. was captured at Delhi (now in the "Glosters"
Museum). These regimental standards were white with the "Union Jack" in upper canton, nearest
the hoist, as with British regiments. Regimental numbers, in Roman figures were surrounded
with a wreath of leaves, flowers &c. Battle honours were also shown. Two regiments for
example may give some ideas. The 41st 's colours originally bore the honours "BHURTPORE"
and "SUBRAON". The latter honour is actually not shown on the portion of the standard in the
museum. The 22nd had the honours "CARNATIC", "DELHI 1803" and "PUNJAUB". A Union
flag was also carried. Some accounts also tell of standards, uniforms and even regimental bands
being flaunted in the face of the British outside Delhi. The Ranee of Jhansi is reported to have
flown a yellow "Mahratti" flag.
2.Cavalry.
Notes on native dress items mentioned for infantry applies also to the cavalry and artillery also.
The Light Cavalry in the early stages often fought in uniform.
Headgear.
Regimental dress for Bengal Light Cavalry usually comprised blue Kilmarnock-style cap with a
white band and tourie (pom-pom).
Jackets.
These were French grey with facing colours, collars and cuffs, as listed above. The facing
colours were edged in white. Shoulder straps and braiding were white. A simpler form of stable
jacket was often worn, instead of the hussar jacket, particularly during the hot season They still
bore facing colours and jacket was edged in white down front and around waist.
Trousers.
French grey with a white stripe down outside seam. White trousers could be worn during hot
season or overalls of grey. Girdles were yellow with two red stripes.
Equipment.
White leather belt, sword knot, and slings for sabretache. Sabretache itself and saddle covers in
black. Valise dark blue,white circular trim. Regimental numbers also in white e.g. "III LC" in
two lines, for 3rd Light Cavalry.
3.Artillery
Of the figures currently produced by Wargames Foundry, only one mutineer is modelled with a
uniform jacket. This was dark blue with red edging and yellow frogging.
Most of the male civilians are dressed in simple white (off -white) garments. Pugris/turbans
could be white although other colours were sometimes used. Some Hindus could have used
saffron yellow on clothing, or a Moslem who had been to Mecca could have a green turban. If
the civilian was more affluent then a variety of silks could be used, particularly if using those
figures from the Moghul period to depict minor princes and their followers. If using Afghan
figures as irregulars then all kinds of colours could be used. Although many tribes had
predominant colours in their clothing there were many traders and raiders that could provide all
kinds of clothing from outside their own immediate area. Units raised by princes could be
dressed with a uniform colour turban or cummerbund or piece of material draped across the
shoulders, or matchlock men in uniform tunic.
Lc
Brass helmets, no plume. White covers were soon adopted, officers also wore loose pagris.
Tunics red with black facings. Trousers blue with yellow stripe, gold for officers.
. Lc
Officers forage caps with pagris, plain light-coloured, single-breasted frocks. All ranks blue
overalls with two light stripes and leather strapping. White belts, black pouches. No sabretaches.
D, Lr, Lc
White forage cap with cover and curtain, officers cap peaked. Forage cap covers were dyed
khaki in September, to which a white turban was added. Tunic white with red trim on shoulder
straps, collars and pointed cuffs. Trousers white, not dyed. From October onwards they reverted
to Home Service uniforms of blue tunic with red collar and cuffs and piping. Yellow epaulettes.
Trousers blue with yellow stripe. Lance pennons discarded after Delhi.
Ld ,Lr, Lc
White/grey or khaki. Chevrons for latter white. Being on campaign all kinds of combinations of
these colours are possible. Many officers wore patrol jackets. All ranks used helmets and pagris
or covered forage caps. Described as red tunics, white trousers at Lucknow.
D, Lr
White undress trousers and jackets dyed "slate coloured". Covered forage caps with
turbans,pagris and /or curtains. White leather belts. By time of Lucknow uniforms much tattered
and patched.Patches are easily added with "Milliput" or "Greenstuff". The latter is easier to use
but not so readily available.
Lc
All white, later all khaki. Woollen shirts often worn with rolled sleeves. One officer described as
"drab frock (frock coat) with trousers to match." Helmet and pagris.
Lc
32nd R of F (Cornwall)
Ld
Red tunics, white facings including shoulder straps with red numbers. Trousers often rolled.
White covered and curtained forage caps. Later described as wearing "once white" shell jackets.
White belts, slings etc. .
34th R of F (Cumberland)
Lc
Lc
Other ranks white covered and curtained peaked forage caps, grey-blue shirts, white trousers.
White leather belts/straps, black pouch.Officers sun-helmet with white trailing pagri, red shell
jacket with yellow facings, white trousers.
Lc
Supposedly highland bonnet with sunshade, or glengarry but reports suggest many retained old
Kilmarnocks. Tunics white, later khaki with red facings, kilts.
D
All khaki. Flannel shirts often worn outside linen trousers. White chevrons. Some wrapped
muslin around waist as spine protectors from the sun. It was also common practice to wrap pagri
around Kilmarnock caps or to use covers and quilted neck curtains.
53rd R of F (Shropshire)
D
White sun helmet or forage cap. Shell jacket rifle green with red facings, red collar edged at top
in black. Chevrons black outlined in red, worn on both arms. Orlando Norrie shows dark green
pagris wrapped around wicker sun helmets. Capt. G.F.Atkinson shows without pagris. Leather
equipment black.
61st R of F (South Gloucestershire)
D
White covered and curtained, peaked forage cap. Red tunic,buff facings. White trousers. Other
sources state white shell jacket and trousers dyed "blueish-brown". Trousers could also be blue,
without the normal red stripe.
Ld
White, covered, forage caps. Red tunics, black facings. Trousers Oxford mixture or white.
D, Lr
Slate coloured undress jackets and trousers, dyed en route to Delhi. Kilmarnock caps, frequently
wrapped in pagri or turban and/or covers and curtains. By Lucknow uniforms well worn and
much patched.
Ld, Lc
Forage cap,or "hummle" caps, can be covered or curtained, some retained old Kilmarnocks.
Other ranks red coats or shirtsleeve order, kilts. Officers red coat,buff facings, trews or kilts.
Later in the campaign they are shown dressed similar to English Regts. i.e. trousers, loose shirts
and covered helmets. Like the 64th R of F this unit had been serving in Persia prior to arrival in
India.Figures: There are no specific figures to cover this regiment. Highland figures would need
to replace bonnets with "hummle" caps (for these see painting by Desgnes of Highlanders
outside Lucknow frequently used in books).
Lc
This unit arrived late 1857 from Britain. Originally in red tunics, they swopped after Lucknow to
ships smocks dyed light blue.Red chevrons. Feather bonnets and sunshades or Glengarries with
light blue pagris. Cameron tartan for kilt. Hose red and green. Belts and slings white.
Lr
Ld, Lr, Lc
Said to be wearing white linen jackets (to the hip) on their march to Lucknow.
90th R of F (Perthshire Volunteers) (Light Infantry)
Ld, Lc
Covered forage caps. White covered helmets also mentioned. Brown jackets with red collar and
cuffs. N.C.O. chevrons red. Trousers Oxford mixture. White belts,slings,cap pouch.
93rd (Highland) R of F
Lr, Lc
Highland bonnet with sunshade. Brown "Holland" tunics, red facings (plain rounded collars and
cuffs). Red N.C.O. chevrons on both sleeves. Red shoulder straps for men or twisted cords for
officers. Sporran usual black with white tassels. Kilts in Sutherland tartan. (Libraries usually
have books on tartans). Hose red and white,red garters, white spats. Red sashes were worn over
left shoulders of officers and right shoulders of N.C.O.
Lc
Officers probably forage caps. Other ranks shakos with khaki covers and curtains, later covered
forage caps. Some caps with makeshift peaks. Red tunics with sky blue facings,edged white.
Trousers Oxford mixture, often worn rolled up. By close of Lucknow most officers reported in
white or khaki. White leather equipment.
Royal Artillery
Royal Artillery reinforcements came from Britain with Campbell in August 1857 and were then
present at several actions. White or khaki , covered or curtained forage caps. Tunics white or
khaki, or blue with red facings. Trousers again white, khaki or blue. Combinations of these could
be used to represent vagaries of campaign wear.
As with above, the Royal Horse Artillery were sent from Britain as part of Campbell's
reinforcements. They had not served in India for many years. They wore basically the Home
Service uniform. One concession to heat was a turban wrapped around the forage cap. Jacket,
blue with yellow frogging and sleeve knots. Collar and shoulder straps red, edged yellow.
Trousers blue with red stripe. Leg guards of riders black.
Artillery pieces
Examples of use:
1) Delhi siege train included 14 heavy guns (8 x 18-pdrs., 6 x 24-pdrs.) 14 mortars, and 6
howitzers.
2)Bombay Artillery used 9pdrs. Large guns can be used for garrisons, but look impressive when
drawn by elephants.
Royal Engineers
Engineers again were present at many actions particularly such as Delhi. They not only helped to
plan defences and sieges etc., but were responsible for leading storming parties. Other ranks
wore a sun helmet, usually without pagri, or white covered, curtained forage cap (some with
peaks). Red tunic, dark blue trousers. Officers often had pagris on helmet, mostly white or khaki.
Red shell jackets or tunics, blue facings. White or blue trousers.
Naval Brigade
D
White clothing dyed brownish khaki (as opposed to more grey of 1st Regt.). Covered and
curtained forage caps, usually shown with no peaks. White leather belts, musket slings with brass
fittings.
1st Madras (European) Regt. (Fusiliers)
Hodson's Horse
(later formed into 3 Regts.- 1st & 2nd became 9th &10th Bengal Cav.)
D, Lr
Officers grey helmets (air pipe style) with red pagris, loose ends. Tunic khaki, single-breasted
with skirts to mid-thigh, red pointed cuffs. Black leather belts, scabbard slings. Breeches white or
buff, high black boots.Large red sash over right shoulder, knotted at hip. Leather horse furniture
black, shabraques (rounded at front and pointed at rear) blue with wide yellow edging. Sowars
were mostly Sikhs. The tunics were generally supposed to be khaki but were often varied. The
main uniform features were bright red turbans of varying styles and sizes, with the ends tucked
in, and red cummerbunds. These made it easier to distinguish "friendlies". They carried carbines,
tulwars, shields and some lances. "Fane's Horse" was raised from what was basically the 3rd
Regt. of Hodson's Horse. Same uniform retained.
D, Lr
Turban dark blue. Alkaluk scarlet, facings black, lace gold. Officers sometimes retained
European-style dress, e.g. red tunic, black facings, with gold cord around collar and cuffs. Multi-
coloured cummerbunds. White breeches, often dyed light yellow-khaki. Mail gauntlet (s) often
worn. Poshteens ("Afghan coats") sometimes worn in cold weather. Normally high boots of
black leather.
D, Lr
Alkaluk dark green, red facings, gold lace. Other lithographs show Punjabi cavalry uniforms in
what appear to be either all white or pale khaki, with dark turbans and cummerbunds.
Served in area around Delhi and were part of 4th Column of assault. Both infantry (6 companies)
and cavalry (3 troops) in march to Delhi.Quite a few casualties prior to assault.
Infantry khaki turbans, tunics (red facings) and trousers. Cavalry khaki or blue turbans, khaki
tunics, red facings, pale khaki trousers, long black boots.
Punjab Sappers & Miners
D, Lr, Lc
Only 30 men took part in assault on Delhi.
D
All khaki tunic and trousers, grey/khaki turban. Brown, or less frequently, black pouch and belts.
Bayonet frog, rifle straps black.
D
Loose drill tunics and trousers, dyed dark indigo. Capt.Fane illus. show some turbans as striped.
This is the only Punjab Inf. unit mentioned as specifically wearing indigo as opposed to more
usual khaki.
D, Lr, Lc
Khaki tunic, trousers, grey turbans, brown leather equipment.
D
Dark green turbans, jackets, red trousers, black equipment
D
This unit held Hindoo Rao Ridge for more than 3 months, beat off 26 attacks, and took 335
casualties. Officer dark green forage cap or white cover and curtain, dark green shell jacket,
white trousers, sometimes gloves. Pouch belt and sword belt black, silver fittings. Riflemen all
dark green, woollen edges to wings and edges of shoulder straps black. Black chevrons. Black
leather equipment, brass fittings. Cap diced red and black in two rows.
D
Adopted khaki rather than rifle green.
Ld, Lc
The Regiment of Lucknow
Ld
Raised from 13th 48th and 71st Bengal Native Inf. These two regiments may well have been
dressed similar to Punjab Irreg. Forces.
N.B. Many levy regiments from various areas, and 15 Punjabi Regiments, were raised at the time
of the Mutiny. In absence of other information uniform details as for 4th Sikh Inf. could probably
be used.
Ld
Blue turbans, drab kurta, red cummerbund and pyjamas. Officers similar or wicker helmet with
pugri, tunics or kurtas.
Lr
Shell jackets, blue trousers with red stripe. Originally recruited from both Indians and Europeans.
Lc
Red coats, black facings, gold lace. Stiffened turbans with white covers or peakless forage caps.
White leather equipment.
Cavalry could have all sorts of civilian clothing and uniforms. Officers from disbanded units as
well as civilian volunteer were brought together as ad hoc units, owing to the shortage of regular
cavalry. Units could be composed almost entirely of officer type figures.
B. Central India.
QUEEN'S REGIMENTS - REGULAR BRITISH ARMY.
CI
White cotton covers on forage caps. Home Service stable dress, blue, yellow edging on collars,
cuffs and shoulder straps. Yellow stripe on outside of leg , black strapping. White belts.
CI
14th (The Kings) Regt. of (Light) Dragoons
CI
Regt. had been serving in Persia. Central India operations from June 1857 to late summer 1858.
Forage caps with pagris or often turbans with loose ends. Shirt sleeve order or blouses dyed with
curry powder. Black neckerchief sometimes worn. Trousers blue with double red stripes, black
strapping. White leather belts and carbine sling, brass fittings.
CI
The Regt. was part of the hunt for Tantia Topi in the autumn of 1858. Peaked forage cap, covers
and curtains. Home-service blue double-breasted tunic (buttoned across) and trousers.
CI
Had been in Malta and sent to India early 1858. Retained old Kilmarnock caps. Non-kilted
regiment.
CI including. Kotah
Covered forage caps or feather bonnet, some officers turbans. Non-kilted regiment, trews (Prince
Charles Edward Stuart tartan). Doublets, or some officers shell jackets, red with yellow facings
and white piping/edging. Later replaced by ships smocks dyed "earthy-brown.".
CI
Officer white helmet and pagri, red shell jacket, yellow facings, white trousers. Other ranks
covered and curtained peaked forage caps. Grey shirts and trousers.
CI
Most rifle regiments appear to have retained their rifle green uniforms.This unit may have done
so as well.
CI
In April 1858, two companies of this regiment were used to form part of the Camel Corps, along
with men from the Rifle Brigade. Soldiers rode on camels behind a Sikh driver. The driver wore
a band around his turban, probably of yellow, to match the 88th's facing colour.
Rifle Brigade
95th (Derbyshire) R of F
Naval Brigade
CI
CI
May 1858 described as wearing "lavender suits", yet only one month previously they were
described as stone coloured. Forage cap and pugri.
CI
4th Cav.Regt. Hyderabad Contingent
CI
CI
Hussar style tunic in light blue (powder blue), white facings, silver lace. Usually peaked forage
caps, covers and curtains.
CI
CI
Both regiments uniforms as 1st Regt.
CI
CI
Helmets covered in linen and pagri, or peaked forage cap with covers/curtains. In 1858 they were
wearing stable jackets and overalls, usually white, dyed khaki. Overalls usually strapped in
leather. Brown sword belts. This uniform replaced the 1857 blue jackets as mentioned below for
Bombay H.A.
CI
Uniforms similar to Sikh Wars except plumes were removed, and helmet covered and curtained
in white.Blue stable jacket with red collar and cuffs,brass buttons. Blue trousers with yellow
stripe and brown leather strapping. White belts. Bombay Foot Artillery dressed similar, except
red stripe on trousers and no strapping , and forage caps.
Corps of Madras Sappers and Miners. Corps of Bombay Sappers and Miners
CI
Native officers black turban, red coat, black or dark blue patch on collar and cuffs, gold lace,
black swordbelt. Trousers dark blue, red stripe. Native ranks similar with dark blue shoulder
scales,edged yellow.
31st Regt. Bengal N.I
CI
Officers, white peaked forage cap, undress jackets, white trousers. Sepoys Kilmarnock caps with
white covers,red jackets (facings buff),or white undress jackets, white trousers.
4th Regt. Bombay N.I. sky blue facings 10th Regt. Bombay N.I. Black facings
12th Regt. Bombay N.I. buff facings 13th Regt. Bombay N.I. buff facings
24th Regt. Bombay N.I. dark green facings 25th Regt. Bombay N.I. yellow facings
All six of above units had battle honours CI. All red tunics, facings as listed. White or blue
trousers.
1st Regt. Madras Native Infantry. 19th Regt. Madras Native Infantry
CI
Both these Regts. wore red tunics, 1st faced white, 19th faced sky blue. Both gold lace. Trousers
white or blue.
CI
In the absence of more details regarding these four units it is probable that the would be similar
to Punjab Irregular units as in section "A."
Units involved in smaller actions or as holding troops or where only part of regiment was
involved. They were not awarded battle honours for their part in the campaign.
The 3rd (The King's Own) Light Dragoons, later,1861, The 3rd (The King's Own) Hussars.
Forage caps with khaki covers. Reported as "dust coloured clothing, including coats and
trousers."
Home service kit, blue facings,piped white,including front edge of tunic. Lace on cuffs
white.Trousers Oxford mixture.
Served 1858. Forage cap with cover and curtain. Red tunic, green facings. White trousers.
Actions include. Jhelum, where 300 of 1st Bn. drove off 1,000 enemy.
Home service kit, green facings, piped white. Gold lace on collar, cuffs.Officer's pompom white
over red. Trousers Oxford mixture.
29th (Worcestershire) R of F.
Officers dark blue, peaked, forage caps. Men shakos with khaki covers. Tunics red, yellow
facings, white trousers.
Covered peaked forage caps. Red tunic, blue facings, blue trousers.
Detachment was sent from the Regiment which was on its en route for Hong Kong. Some wore
naval sennet hats.
Wicker helmet with pipe ventilator and pagri. Light drab cotton frock and trousers. White pouch
belt and waist belt.Blue painted water bottle, brown strap.
European officers dark tunic, cummerband, white breeches, boots. Native officers mixture of
dark and light coloured alkaluks and blouses.
British officer drab helmet, purple pagri. Drab kurta with purple cummerband, drab breeches.
Native ranks same with purple turbans. Leather equipment brown.
For various other irregular cavalry units raised in Bombay and Central India, they could be
treated as 4th Sikh Irreg. Cav. above.
Described in Major D. Jackson's book (see below) as spending 2 years putting down Sepoy
Rebellion. Dressed in green kurtas, yellow pyjamas, red cummerband and black turbans.
3rd Column & 4th Column. To assault Kashmir Gate. To attack suburb of Kissemgunge &
Lahore Gate.
52nd Light Infantry, 200; Sirmoor Bn. (Gurkhas), 290
7th,Kumaon Rifles, 250; The Guides & Dograhs, 275
1st Punjab Infantry ,500; Pickets (European & Indian, 235?)
5th Column.
Kashmire Contingent--Unknown strength
To act as reserve.
61st Regt. of Foot, 250
4th Punjab (Sikh) Inf., 450
Wing Beloochi Bn., 300; 60th Rifles, 200
Jhind Auxiliaries, 300 (to cover advance of storming parties before joining reserve).
Jhansi 21st March - 5th April, & Betwa 1st April 1858.
Lt.General Sir Hugh Rose was laying siege to the formidable fortress of Jhansi, although his
force was only 4,500 strong (less than half the number of defenders). Plans to storm the city were
postponed when a relief army under Tantia Topi appeared. Rose gave battle near the River
Betwa. This river forms the boundary between neighbouring provinces of Uttar Pradesh &
Madhya Pradesh. Splitting his forces ,Rose turned to face Tantia Topi's 20,000 whilst still
maintaining a bombardment of the Jhansi fortress. Rose lined up his force of around 1,500, with
his infantry in the centre, cavalry on one wing , horse artillery and the 14th Light Dragoons on
the other. When Rose's cavalry charged, they received a volley from hundreds of matchlockmen
but were in amongst them before they could reload. On the other wing it was a similar tale as the
Dragoons charged home under covering fire from Lightfoot's artillery battery. As Tantia Topi's
flanks retired ,the centre also broke as Rose's infanty advanced. Returning to Jhansi, Rose had
the bombardment intensified. Breaches in the walls and supposed treachery from within led to
the successful storming of the city.
Havelock's force marched towards Cawnpore in July 1857. It comprised 1,000 Europeans from 4
different regiments (include. Madras Fusiliers, 64th R of F, and Highlanders);130 of Brazier's
Sikhs troop of 18 volunteer cavalry plus battery of 6 guns. Mutineer Regts. included: men from
2nd Cavalry, 6th and 56th Native Inf. Havelock's main casualties (12) were as a result of
sunstroke.
By now Sikhs have been left behind at Fatehpur. Aong village had entrenchments in front on
either flank were some walled gardens with many trees.
The river a few miles beyond Aong was much swollen by the July rains. Crossed by one bridge,
scouts told Havelock that it was about to be blown. It was a two hour march to this bridge, under
a hot sun. Under the command of Bala Rao (brother of Nana Sahib) the mutineers occupied
trenches on the far side of the river. Heavy guns played on the bridge. British guns, under
Maude, made use of a loop in the river to pour shot into the mutineers flank. The Fusiliers under
Major Stephenson swept across the bridge. The rest followed routing the mutineers.
3) Skirmish Actions
Siege of Arrah. 25 July to 3 August.
A railway official (Vicars Boyle) and 14 other Europeans/Eurasians together with 50 Sikhs were
besieged in a prepared guest house. Bricked-up windows and a supply of food helped the
besieged. Under the house a shaft was sunk to a depth of 18 feet which provided water as well as
earth for repairing defences. The mutineers and badmashes dug up 2 cannon from an arms cache,
but had virtually no ammunition. The mutineers used casters from the piano and chairs from
Boyle's own main house as cannister. Garden walls and trees gave cover to attackers. They even
tried to smoke defenders out by using chillies on a fire. A relief force under Eyre finally arrived
with 150 men of the 5th Fusiliers, 14 mounted volunteers, and 34 artillerymen with 3 guns,
drawn by bullocks. Met by mutineers that tried to outflank them, the artillery and Enfield rifles
out-ranged their old "Brown Bess" muskets.
(Interested readers may wish to click below to read John French's review of The Foundry's
miniatures for recreating the specific units described in this article.)
Dressed To Kill
A.) Listed here are books that are generally still available, even if only secondhand.
M.Barthorp, The British Troops in the Indian Mutiny 1857-59, (Osprey MAA.1994).
D.Bloomfield, ed., Lahore to Lucknow: The Indian Mutiny Journal of Arthur Moffat Lang, (Leo
Cooper. 1992).
M.Chappell, The Gurkhas, (Osprey Elite Series.1993)
M.Edwardes, Red Year, (Hamish Hamilton.1973).
J.Harris, The Indian Mutiny, (Granada Publishing.1973).
C.Hibbert, The Great Mutiny 1857, (Allen Lane 1978) also Penguin paperback.
Maj.D.Jackson, India's Army, (Sampson Low, Marston & Co. London.1940). Since reprinted ?
A.Llewellyn, The Siege of Delhi, (Macdonald & James.London 1977).
J.C.Pollock, Way to Glory--Life of Havelock of Lucknow, (John Murray.London 1957).
Sita Ram, From Sepoy to Subedar, (Routledge & Keegan Paul.1970).
P.V.Tahmankar, The Ranee of Jhansi, (MacGibbon & Key. London 1958).
L.Trotter, Capt., The Life of John Nicholson, (Thomas Nelson. London 1897) An older volume
but still to be found. Includes section on Afghanistan.
C.Wilkinson-Latham, The Indian Mutiny, (Osprey MAA. 1977).
The Editors would like to add the following worthy titles to Mr. French's list.
Ian Knight, Queen Victoria's Enemies (3): India, Osprey MAA 219, 1990
Michael Barthorp, The British Army On Campaign, 1816-1902 (3): 1856-1881, Osprey MAA
198, 1988.
Maj. Gen. Gurcharn Singh Sandhu, PVSM (Retd), The Indian Cavalry: History Of The Indian
Armoured Corps Till 1940, Vision Books, Delhi, 1981.
T. A. Heathcote, The Indian Army: The Garrison Of British Imperial India, 1822-1922,
Hippocrene Books, Inc., New York 1974.
Boris Mollo, The Indian Army, Blandford Press, Dorset, 1981.