1857 in India

1857 in India examines the Indian Rebellion of 1857, covering its origins, progression, and aftermath across multiple regions. The book was written by historian Surendra Nath Sen and published in 1957, on the centenary of the events. Sen draws from British and Indian primary sources, including military records, personal accounts, and official correspondence from the period. The text presents a comprehensive analysis of the military campaigns and administrative responses during the rebellion. The narrative traces the developments across major centers of uprising including Delhi, Lucknow, and Kanpur, while also exploring lesser-known events in other parts of India. Sen examines the roles of various participants including the British East India Company, Indian rulers, soldiers, and civilians. This work stands as an important scholarly contribution to understanding a pivotal moment in Indian history, raising questions about colonialism, resistance, and the complex relationship between Britain and India. The book approaches these themes through careful historical analysis rather than polemic.

Reviews for this academic text are limited online, with few ratings available on major platforms. The book appears to be primarily used by scholars and researchers studying the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Readers appreciated: - Detailed archival research and primary source documentation - Balanced examination of both British and Indian perspectives - Clear chronological organization of events - Inclusion of regional variations in how the rebellion unfolded Criticisms included: - Dense academic writing style that can be difficult to follow - Limited discussion of social and economic factors - Focus on military aspects at expense of cultural context Available Ratings: Goodreads: No ratings found Amazon India: Not rated WorldCat: Referenced in 164 libraries but no public reviews Note: This assessment is limited by the scarcity of public reader reviews. The book appears more frequently cited in academic works than reviewed by general readers.

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🔹 The author, Surendra Nath Sen, served as the Director of the National Archives of India, giving him unique access to original documents and records about the 1857 uprising 🔹 When first published in 1957, this book challenged the then-dominant British narrative by presenting the events of 1857 from an Indian perspective, making it one of the first major works to do so 🔹 The Revolt of 1857 marked the first large-scale uprising against British rule in India, involving both military sepoys and civilians across multiple regions from Delhi to Lucknow 🔹 Sen's work revealed how the introduction of new greased cartridges was just one catalyst among many deep-rooted causes of the uprising, including land policies, cultural suppression, and economic exploitation 🔹 The book includes detailed analysis of previously unpublished letters, diaries, and official correspondence from both British and Indian sources, many of which have since been lost or damaged