after lucknow

painting

By the 1850s the British East India Company's rule of India seemed secure. But relations were deteriorating as resentment against the British grew.
Jessie's Dream (The Relief of Lucknow), 1858 By Frederick Goodall (1822-1904) Sheffield Galleries and Museums Trust, UK.The Indian Mutiny (or the First Indian War of Independence as it is now known in India) was an armed uprising in northern and central India from 1857-58. It was the first united movement against British rule in India.
Left: The horrors of the Mutiny inspired many artists. This dramatic scene shows the heroic end of the famous 90-day siege at Lucknow. Jessie was the wife of a soldier. At the height of the siege, she dreamt of hearing the bagpipes of Scottish troops coming to the rescue.Many of the East India Company's practices were considered a threat to Indian religious and cultural customs. Tax changes had brought grievances and military reforms challenged the status of the sepoys (Indian soldiers). Resentment grew and unrest sparked into armed rebellion. News of bloody sieges at Cawnpore and Lucknow and the violent deaths of British women and children created uproar in Britain.
Right: Many Indian soldiers remained loyal to the British during the uprising. O'Neil illustrates this by including an Indian soldier (a sepoy) in Home Again.40,000 British troops were sent to India to suppress the uprising. Many left from Tilbury and Gravesend like the soldiers in Eastward Ho! When O'Neil painted their poignant departure, he created a stark contrast to the well-reported terrors awaiting them, of which the public would have been well aware.
After the rebellion's brutal suppression, the East India Company was dissolved. For the first time India was subject to direct British rule. Indian independence was finally achieved in 1947.India became an independent country where people die on the streets of hunger in this day and age.

dutch east indian sepoy.

These indigenous troops formed hugely effective regiments when used by the European East India companies. They were acclimatised to India with a resilience and endurance that put Europeans to shame. In combat, they typically display unwavering bravery and a tenacious determination.

Often recruited from barren or mountainous regions, these men are tough and hard working. Loyal without question, their familiarity with local culture allowed Europeans to fight insurgencies and unrest with understanding as well as brute force.

The sepoys of the British East India Company were typical in that they had native and European officers. “Natives” never commanded Company battalions, but their opinions were always sought by the better sort of European officer. The Ghoorkas were a special case, because Nepal was never colonised, but a treaty was made between the company and the native king.