In 1857-1858, rebels in northern India recruited tens of thousands of civilian volunteers in a mutiny that threatened to engulf the entire subcontinent. This study explores a fundamental question never explicitly investigated in histories of the mutiny: How could a vastly outnumbered British army, with dangerously extended lines of supply and reinforcement, defeat so large a force on its home ground? Watson addresses the problem by focusing on the Lucknow campaign, which was pivotal to the success of the British, and ...
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In 1857-1858, rebels in northern India recruited tens of thousands of civilian volunteers in a mutiny that threatened to engulf the entire subcontinent. This study explores a fundamental question never explicitly investigated in histories of the mutiny: How could a vastly outnumbered British army, with dangerously extended lines of supply and reinforcement, defeat so large a force on its home ground? Watson addresses the problem by focusing on the Lucknow campaign, which was pivotal to the success of the British, and abandons the usual narrative approach to the subject in favor of an analysis of the leadership, armies, and other crucial elements in the campaign. After reviewing the religious, economic, and political unrest that set the stage for the mutiny, Watson provides a brief history of the campaign. In his comparative analysis of the armies and leadership of the combatants, a panorama of contrasts emerges. The British had the advantages of experienced and well-organized leadership, a better trained and organized army, superior weapons, and a cohesive sense of purpose. The rebel forces, on the other hand, consisted of decentralized armies whose effectiveness was compromised by the influx of untrained volunteers and whose leaders were mainly revolutionaries and military amateurs with few common goals. In his analytical comparisons of infantry, cavalry, artillery, and other factors affecting fighting ability, Watson applies John Keegan's categories of battle to develop equations that spell out the character of battle not only for the Lucknow campaign but for the entire conflict. Adding a new dimension to our understanding of the mutiny, this book is relevant to historical study of India, the British Empire, and the British army, and will also appeal to military history buffs.
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Add this copy of The Great Indian Mutiny-Colin Campbell and the Campaign to cart. $34.99, very good condition, Sold by Koster's Collectible Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Farmingville, NY, UNITED STATES, published 1991 by Praeger.
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Seller's Description:
Very Good with no dust jacket. 0275938344. Hardcover; Hardcover: Black cloth binding with title in silver and blue. Title on spine in silver boxed in blue. Paste-downs and endpapers are spotless. Title, text, illustrated pages are crisp and clean. A few pages are a bit wavy. The Great Indian Mutiny was fought between 1857 and1858 when native troops (Sepoys) employed by the East India Company revolted against British Rule. Nice tight binding.; Photos & Illus; 8VO; 138 pages.
Add this copy of The Great Indian Mutiny: Colin Campbell and the to cart. $42.35, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 1991 by Praeger.
Add this copy of The Great Indian Mutiny to cart. $72.87, like new condition, Sold by Media Smart rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Hawthorne, CA, UNITED STATES, published 1991 by ABC-Clio, Incorporated.
Add this copy of The Great Indian Mutiny: Colin Campbell and the to cart. $80.52, new condition, Sold by Ingram Customer Returns Center rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from NV, USA, published 1991 by Praeger.
Add this copy of The Great Indian Mutiny to cart. $96.64, new condition, Sold by Ria Christie Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Uxbridge, MIDDLESEX, UNITED KINGDOM, published 1991 by Praeger.
