THE STORY OF THE INDIAN MUTINY [Illustration: Interior of Well at Cawnpore. _Frontispiece_] THE STORY OF THE INDIAN MUTINY BY ASCOTT R. HOPE AUTHOR OF "MEN OF THE BACKWOODS," "YOUNG TRAVELLERS' TALES," ETC. _WITH MAPS AND ILLUSTRATIONS_ [Illustration] LONDON FREDERICK WARNE AND CO. AND NEW YORK 1896 [_All rights reserved_] Richard Clay & Sons, Limited, London & Bungay. PREFACE The story of the great Indian Mutiny has often been told in whole or in part. In this book, while historical outlines are carefully preserved, it is attempted to throw into relief the more picturesque episodes, and to bring out illustrative incidents of personal adventure likely to attract young readers. With such a theme, if any reader will only suffer some needful gravity in the introduction, he may be promised a narrative of heroism and romance which the dullest treatment could hardly make unexciting. A.R.H. CONTENTS CHAP. PAGE I. INDIA: ITS PEOPLES AND RULERS 1 II. THE OUTBREAK 24 III. THE SPREAD OF INSURRECTION 45 IV. THE CONFLAGRATION 72 V. THE CITIES OF REFUGE 92 VI. THE FALL OF DELHI 138 VII. THE DEFENCE OF LUCKNOW 164 VIII. LORD CLYDE'S CAMPAIGNS 199 IX. THE EXTINCTION 227 APPENDIX 241 THE STORY OF THE INDIAN MUTINY CHAPTER I INDIA: ITS PEOPLES AND RULERS A troubled history has all along been that of the great tongue of land which, occupying the same position in Asia as Italy in Europe, is equal to half our continent, with a population growing towards three hundred millions. Far back into fabulous ages, we see it threatened by mythical or shadowy conquerors, Hercules, Semiramis, Sesostris, Cyrus; whelmed beneath inroads of nameless warriors from Central Asia; emerging first into historical distinctness with Alexander the Great's expedition to the valley of the Indus, from which came that familiar name given to dark-skinned races on both sides of the globe. Our era brought in new wars of spoil or of creed; Tartars, Arabs, Turcomans and Afghans in turn struggled among each other for its ancient wealth; and India knew little peace till it had passed under the dominion of a company of British merchants, who for a century held it by the sword as proudly as any martial conqueror.