"Remember Cawnpore": The brutal battle that became a rallying cry

Cawnpore - was a key battle during the Indian Mutiny of 1857 in northern India.
But it was more than just a battle - it became a rallying cry. It was a brutal fight followed by an infamous and tragic massacre and eventually some terrible retribution from the British.
As I read these stories I often think what I would have done and how I would have reacted in the position of these people - the officers, the men, the wives and their children. As you watch this, ask yourself those questions.
Join me as I continue my series on the Indian mutiny of 1857 - known in India as the 1st War of Independence.
My key source for this video was Andrew Ward's book, "Our bones are scattered" that can purchased via this link - amzn.to/3mE4HUI
You can also read Mowbray Thomson's book for free via this link - archive.org/details/storycawn...
and Shepherd's book can be read here - archive.org/details/in.ernet....
If you are also interested in the Zulu War, then please sign up for my mailing list to receive my free book on the subject: www.redcoathistory.com
If you are very generous, you can also buy me a coffee and help support the channel via ko-fi.com/redcoathistory

[@stanboyd5820]

I'm of an age where we were taught about this at school. I somehow imagine such a thing would be utterly taboo now. Good to see that someone is keeping the memory alive.

[@derin111]

There’s nothing wrong or taboo with being taught History, it all depends WHAT you were taught. And, depending what that was, in the past, it may well be taboo today. If it was the glorification of the gallant and noble colonial white man’s triumph over the treacherous, unscrupulous and mutinous black or brown savage/native…as it so often was portrayed …then it should rightly be regarded as taboo and have no part in the teaching of history today. I went to school, in Britain, in the 1960s and 70s by the way.

[@alecblunden8615]

​@@derin111🎉 Butchery and sadism do not change their character with the colour of a person's skin, neither do truth and courage.

[@vorynrosethorn903]

Except that they were traitorous and savage by our standards (standards which we hold to this day and you can find in an English dictionary) and our side were also gallant and brave by our standards (and in their case those they held as well), the fact of the race was rather secondary, the use of the word race until some time later often meant cultural and social characteristics and one of our issues was not respecting those boundaries enough. Also we belong to our own group, siding with another is siding against yourself and your family for the sake of outsiders who at best you don't know the first thing about and more likely are actively hostile because they are looking after the interests and values of their group, universalism is blatant nonsense (we are not the same and even the slightest knowledge will reveal this) and racist as a word is so overused as to be quite meaningless. I can tell you came from the 70's, most of this nonsense entered the country at that time.

[@indiarising9201]

@@vorynrosethorn903 An interesting take. I have travelled from New Zealand in search of my family lost to Cawnpore in June and July 1857, on 3 seperate journeys since 2012. They reside in each of the 2 Wells...Bibighar and the entrenchment Well by Wheelers barracks on Cantt lands. The British had a wonderful thing going with India until the early 19th century. Inter-marriage, cultural values and generally deep respect. They had jointly fought many wars together also, with great friendships unto death formed. It wasn't until White women and Missionaries began to swarm, that the great racist and cultural dislocation began, culminating in the damage lord Dalhousie brought. 1857 was the end game that could not have been avoided or tolerated any longer. It has been said, 'never mess with a Hindu's family or his Religeon' The Brits did both with severe consequence..

[@barryjacobsen4971]

@@derin111 Take out the "black or brown savage/native" bit and it is exactly what I learned. I doubt that today's woke teachers would cast the proper opprobrium upon Nana Sahib and the mutineers. But the British were justifiably enraged by the treatment of the prisoners, and it became a war of revenge.

[@andrewsward46]

As the author of Our Bones Are Scattered, and most recently of a field guide for Harper’s/India, I congratulate you on this creditable, fair-minded account of the Kanpur chapter of the Uprising of 1857. One factor that inhibited the rebels from pressing their attack was their belief that the entire position had been mined. My only caveat is that the portrait you present as of Nana Sahib was actually of a local moneylender. He was more accurately represented by the bazaar portrait that hung in the home of a descendant of Tatya Tope. And as a military historian I wonder if you might have included the battle between the Gwalior Contingent and an entrenched force under General Windham, in which the rebels very nearly reclaimed Kanpur. But I am very impressed by your account and thank you for mentioning my book.

[@redcoathistory]

Hi Andrew, what a pleasure to hear from you. I actually tried to find you online before I made the episode as I was keen to interview you, but alas I couldn't find you. I really would be keen to keep in touch - if you would like to then please feel free to drop me a line via redcoathistory at gmail dot com - if not I'll completely understand. If there are other campaigns/battles/personalities you would like to talk about on the show then it would be a pleasure.

[@davidedbrooke9324]

Mines? No, they were aware they were inferior fighters against the riled up British and loyal sepoys.

[@MisterCaution]

Dr. Ward, are there any plans to republish your book or perhaps make a Kindle/e-version available? I’m having a hard time finding a copy in the States.

[@user-wn2fw4no6d]

Here in southern Virginia , USA , in the parlor is a posthumous portrait of our g g g uncle George Augustus Webb who was killed in the siege of Lucknow . After the rebellion was put down , letters and newspapers from India are still preserved here .

[@redcoathistory]

Oh fantastic. Thanks for the info. When did the family move to the USA?

[@Indk1686]

​​@@redcoathistoryim from lucknow

[@pkpk9513]

I am from lucknow too

[@aheat3036]

Never forget Cawnpore!

[@wanderingsoul7935]

Old Flash managed to escape, like the bounder he was.

[@JamesThomas-gg6il]

Very well told Chris. I remembered the story of the massacre at the boats, when yoi got to the surrender part. Definitely a situation i would not have wanted to be in. Kind of damned if you do amd damned if you dont. With all the women and children there I'm sure it was an horrendous decision to make. I dont envy Wheeler at all for that.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks. Yeah I couldn’t imagine having to make such a a horrible decision with my wife and kids with me. Truly awful.

[@indiarising9201]

I'm so glad that you got to visit old Cawnpore and had Andrew Wards book as a guide. Sati Chaura and the intrenchment are rather haunting places, as is Nana Park after dark. Thanks for making this video...an awful lot of work has gone into producing this🙏

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks a lot for your kind words. I really appreciate it.

[@jon9021]

Excellent episode. I’ve read many books about the mutiny (they do seem to blur into one after a while), the massacre at Cawnpore is particularly harrowing.

[@stanboyd5820]

"Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past." - Orwell The thing I most enjoy about this channel is that it doesn't delve into the politics except for the sake of context. What it concentrates on is the the chaps at the sharp end. The ones who got the dirty end of the stick, either by virtue of the politics or poor commanders. It tells of the courage, endurance, skill and sheer bloody mindedness of the British Soldier. "Theirs not to reason why, (...), Theirs but to do and die..." That deserves to be remembered.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks a lot - that’s exactly what I’m trying to achieve 👍🏼

[@MisterSplendy]

I'min New York, the same state as the Battle of Saratoga, so I'll search your channel for that battle. Great video this!

[@cw269]

Good timing for me. Just finished reading ‘Flashman in the great game’ which is set around Cawnpore and other events of the time.

[@sirfox950]

Same. Damn good book!

[@redcoathistory]

@@sirfox950 fantastic book!

[@user-qq2vq4fv8b]

Read all the Flashman books . The coward and poltroon , managed to make it to Wheelers boat , and save himself again. Gibbering with terror all the way.

[@davidcousins3508]

An excellent recounting of these events …they are retold in accurate detail by Macdonald Fraser in one of his Flashman books .

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks. Flashman In the great game - great book 👍🏼

[@RkR2001]

Good Video Chris ! I am from South of India ( Madras) and you have portrayed a True description of the Unfortunate events in Kanpur during the 1857 Mutiny ! This was something like present Russia Vs Ukraine war with a lot of avoidable Violence

[@redcoathistory]

Many thanks brother. Yes it was a very sad conflict. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@rahjah6958]

“It’s just an independence movement” *casually kills women and children after being *paid** *in gold*

[@tashatsu_vachel4477]

Rather similar to the independence era, where independence meant a huge death toll from casual killing, easily far worse than anything the British army did in its entire existence.

[@flintflyer575]

They took their salt and swore their oath.... if it wasn't the british it would of been the french or the russians.

[@robertbarras7893]

The Moghuls ruled India for centuries before the British arrived and took their place, but the brutality of their rule is not so well documented and of course theirs much more mileage in vilifying Europeans...

[@zen4men]

@@tashatsu_vachel4477 So true

[@Indian_Tovarisch]

War is war, no war is white or black It's always shades of grey

[@studigma]

Great video...totally professional and to the point. Just read of it yesterday which brought me to your video. Being from India, I'd surely visit Cawnpore (now Kanpur) once. Reading about Bibighar massacre shivered me. I feel bad for the women and children but can't deny the fact that it's a part of our past. Reading opens the mind, knowing both sides of the coin just imbibe a feeling of dejection from all prejudices. In my school days i was taught the whole EPISODE as part of the first war of independence skipping the part of Cawnpore and Bibighar. I'm a patriot but have no shame in admitting that this massacre was gut wrenching. Both parties have their deeds whether it was Jallianwala or Lucknow/Cawnpore, world is not just black or white, it's more about varying shades. More power to you, keep it up TOMMY !

[@redcoathistory]

Many thanks for your comment. Sadly the Indian mutiny aka 1st war of independence was a brutal conflict and both sides were guilty of some horrible stuff. It cheers me up to know that we can still discuss it as adults in a mature manner. I try and focus on the military aspects as much as possible. I have future videos coming up on Delhi and Lucknow that hopefully you will find interesting also. Take care and keep in touch.

[@studigma]

@@redcoathistory i'm subscribed, looking forward to your upcoming videos.

[@indiarising9201]

@@redcoathistory Lucknow is fascinating and I have travelled there 3 times from NZ, as also Cawnpore. Although my family were all wiped out in Cawnpore, fortunately my Great Grandfather 'Charles Probett' was a boarder at La Martiniere, age 10 years with his 2 step cousins, the Walsh lads of similar age. The 3 small boys are on the School Roll of Honour at La Mart having survived at The Residency siege of 144 days until Sir Colin arrived

[@studigma]

@@indiarising9201 Sorry to hear about your family. Would surely look for the names once i visit the school. I remember boarders from La Martinière as my crossbenchers in some national level debate competition from my high school years.

[@redcoathistory]

@@indiarising9201 hi there yiu will be pleased to hear that I have videos coming up on both the siege of Lucknow and La MARTINIERRE 👍🏼

[@scottp9048]

An excellent account Chris ! Keep them rolling !!

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks Will do.

[@darrensussex1153]

A brilliant account of a desperate time thank you

[@grandpanurgle]

Chris went all out and got in a similar fight to reenact this battle. Great video

[@redcoathistory]

Ha ha you know me I like to make my research very realistic 😂

[@mediapartners9950]

Another tremendous video Chris many thanks 👍🏻

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks a lot. That feedback means a lot. The mutiny isn’t a popular way to talk about but I think it’s important 👍🏼

[@mudyinsquall]

Fantastic video! Keep the series coming on a indian mutiny history binge at the moment.

[@redcoathistory]

Great thanks a lot

[@catholicmilitantUSA]

Another amazing episode Chris. I particularly liked the Moore story; it reminded me of the Picard story you told during the Black Hole of Calcutta episode.

[@jeffbruin5487]

I quite agree Chris, what a grim episode but very well told! I've got a book or two to read about the mutiny so am looking forward to reading them.

[@MikeKing-jy9tk]

Absolutely riveting. Very fair and professional narrative and beautifully illustrated. Thank you so much for your entertaining work!!

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks - that comment means a lot

[@user-cd4bx6uq1y]

Most badass thumbnail and title combination ever

[@sunnysingh3202]

Awesome work Chris👌

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks a lot.

[@sunnysingh3202]

@@redcoathistory you're welcome..looking for more videos especially if you visit old delhi, lucknow, jhansi etc which were hotspots of the mutiny

[@user-ud4pn8it9z]

Excellent video Chris, a very moving account of terrible events.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks a lot. Was actually really depressing to research 🥲

[@user-ud4pn8it9z]

@@redcoathistory 👍yes I know it's very bloody. We had a chat at the exhibition recently Chris. Enjoy the pod so decided to give the videos a look. Thanks Paul (MrC).

[@redcoathistory]

@@user-ud4pn8it9z oh nice one mate - didn’t realise it was you. Seems you are working on eastern front WW2 gaming at the mo? I actually find the eastern front in WW2 fascinating. If I ever started a second channel it would be on that.

[@user-ud4pn8it9z]

@@redcoathistory Yes Eastern Front definitely very interesting too. The game was just last night's, next time it's Malaya 1942 so we like to vary things. If I do an Indian Mutiny one will post more pics.

[@nautifella]

Very well done. I would love to see your library.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks a lot. It’s not as big a library as i would like (don’t tell my wife!)

[@Jubilo1]

Superb !

[@janlindtner305]

Super Chris👍👍👍

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks glad you found it interesting 👍🏼

[@FranciscoPreira]

Great video indeed Chris, thanks for sharing. Go easy on the boxing mate :)

[@redcoathistory]

Ha ha thanks - need to work on my defence 😅

[@jamesquirk4999]

The 1936 movie 🎬 The Charge of Light Brigade starring Errol Flynn show the siege and massacre of Cawnpore .Flynn and Oliva DeHavalind survived the massacre and David Niven who played one British defender was killed. One big mistake of movie 🎬 The Sepoy Uprising happened after the Crimean War.

[@arslongavitabrevis5136]

Excellent description of the terrible events of 1857. That 1912's film is a gem. Where did you find it?

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks a lot. The film is out of copyright and can be viewed on KZbin if you search ‘relief of Lucknow film’

[@arslongavitabrevis5136]

@@redcoathistory Thank you very much! I have just discovered your channel and subscribed. I was impressed by the quality of its content and the amount of research you do. Greetings from Buenos Aires.

[@rubybraumann9858]

Our Bones are Scattered is the most detailed and well researched account of this most dreadful of the Indian Mutiny actions. A truly worthy and faultless history.

[@redcoathistory]

Yep, it's great. Hence it get's mentioned a lot in this film 👍

[@jessgatt5441]

Glad to watch and subscribe, we need a bigger view of history, and that means a study of the British Empire, the East India, as well as the other armed units native contingents originating in the nations of the area.

[@jeremydarkeag1e85]

Excellent 👍 🍻

[@quirkygreece]

Another nice shiner, Chris. Ever thought of taking up Ludo? lol

[@redcoathistory]

Ha ha I should 😂

[@garychynne1377]

great

[@douglasherron7534]

Great video (as usual)! Interesting that the clip of Captain Moore in action shows him using a machine-gun... The Bengal Army must have been ahead of it's time! 😉

[@redcoathistory]

Ha ha yes it was the best rights-free clip I could find and I thought it was quite funny 😄

[@douglasherron7534]

@@redcoathistory Yeh, I saw the :-) you put at the end of the caption and knew you had spotted that one too... Great video again Chris, keep them coming! How did the Clash of Empires exhibition go?

[@TheScoopGorrilla]

I thought a potential option was for Wheeler at the start to make a defensive position at the magazine, thick walls and plenty of ammo, (unsure of the water situation). Potentially could have held out as at Lucknow.

[@ericshaw5759]

Glad you mentioned the magazine. I’m sure they would have had a much better chance there. I wouldn’t have counted on a relief force any time soon and when you had that number of women and children you would have had to find the most defensible position. The magazine offered the best chance of survival. If I had been in command I would have gotten everyone and as many stores as possible in there asap!

[@michaelgwinn3766]

What movie was the John Moore clip from

[@mandeepsinghsehmi1951]

Subscribed.

[@ceciljohnrhodes4987]

Excellent, Friday night, a few sherbets and a new redcoats video, marvellous.

[@redcoathistory]

Sounds like the perfect night in! 😍

[@johnunsworth7158]

My 2 x great grandfather a soldier in the Europe bengal fusiliers, when he left in 1860 he was 46 years old who had lost his thumb .

[@redcoathistory]

Oh nice one. I hope to do a film about the regiment one day.

[@johnunsworth7158]

@@redcoathistory that would be great !!

[@russbarker2727]

A fascinating presentation indeed. It's hard not to get emotional over such a tale.

[@user-pf6ib3ue5s]

Watching this this song Victoria by Kinks I had to get it in my head

[@katywalker8322]

For a fictional story based during the mutiny, try Dando On Delhi Ridge by William Clive. He also wrote another less fictional book on Cawnpore under a different pen name.

[@redcoathistory]

Will look it up, thanks

[@steveforster9764]

Blood of an Englishman I read it as a boy.

[@katywalker8322]

@@steveforster9764 , my local library had it back then. I found copies of his books on Ebay a few years ago. They deserve to be well known

[@tashatsu_vachel4477]

Dig in, fortify a viable perimeter, arm every European who is able, ideally using entrenchments and reinforced walls where possible. When the offer to allow you to give up, feel the spirit of Temporary Lieutenant Stephen Polkinghorn descending on you from the future and them them the land based equivalent of "Get off my bloody ship!" and point out if they attack it will cost them dear in lives. Wheeler and his force was as good as dead if they surrendered or if they did not. It would be better to go down fighting and create a legend!

[@redcoathistory]

Yeah I think the problem was that they had the women and kids with them. Incredibly tough to watch them starve to death… 🥲 I guess they felt surrender offered an outside chance they would survive

[@GRACEORT]

Anyone know what the titles of the Films are from the black/white clips that pop up in this topic?

[@redcoathistory]

Relief of Lucknow

[@GRACEORT]

@@redcoathistory cracking 10 minute silent movie 👍🏻

[@morriganmhor5078]

Red, I´ve read somewhere that Gen. Wheeler a) didn´t believe too long that mutiny would come to Cawnpore and b) having the possibility to withdraw all to some old fort nearby, he rejected? Is it so?

[@redcoathistory]

I think off the top of my head (I'm away from home) the magazine was an option but it was too far from the cantonments and it wouldn't have been possible to deploy their quickly with all the civilians.

[@morriganmhor5078]

@@redcoathistory Thanks a lot.

[@commonsenseking6386]

I believe this battle was inaccurately portrayed in the 1936 movie Charge of Light Brigade, the battle the movie was set before the Crimean War.

[@johnaitken7430]

Respect Chris…you don’t ignore the underlying racial stuff,, but focus on brave souls…. I am as leftie woke as any…but enjoy your straight stories…I’d love a better world where we can applaud courage sans political varnish..well done sir.. 3:47

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks a lot. It’s a tightrope to walk but I just try and tell it straight 👍🏼🙏

[@unclejohnbulleit2671]

There has been some speculation that the women were assaulted by the butchers and others prior to being killed. Do you have any information on that?

[@redcoathistory]

I guess we will never know for sure but from my research that doesn’t appear to be the case. The Andrew ward book does address the issues around this.

[@unclejohnbulleit2671]

@@redcoathistory Many Thanks! I will get a copy of Ward's book.

[@vorynrosethorn903]

Read many accounts of the mutiny, those who address it were speaking with the context of many accounts being released, though it was fine to talk about what happened to people if there were no identifying features to tell anyone who they were those at cowpore by being there would be know, as such despite the fact that there is explicit statement that the women weren't violated by several people as a matter of honour they would have been required to lie if necessary, to be violated would be taken as extremely degrading and dishonouring in the time period thus it was the moral thing to preserve and defend their honour after death and give some small peace of mind to their loved ones. As for whether it happened, several women (some of the youngest ones) weren't in the well but were carried off by Muslim troopers and forcibly married, due to honour (they will have been violated) it was better to endure their new lot than to be rescued (many similar cases happened and a good few officers were too naive to shoot the men involved rather than take it at face value), for the women in the house it is contradictory as some accounts are quite open, others are doing damage control (typically the ones which focus on the violation question as well) and at least one is lying. The troopers who refused to kill them claim either not to have known anything but sounds (in the minimising accounts) or saw quite a lot, including small children running around in circles before being cruelly killed and the killers breaking swords in the slaughter. At least one of the rumours was that they were violated with burning touches before being killed, another is that the children were hung from meathooks, which was most probably false though they might have been pinned to lamps set into the walls. Obviously the people who knew were largely the men who put those who did it to death, and they didn't really speak of it beyond trying to reassure the families to some extent, the common soldier got to see the scene and draw his conclusions from what was left, and certainly things were tampered with, many soldiers and officers took pieces of blood soaked clothing and baby wear and swore blood debts against the rebels on them. To a certain extent we can't really know but whatever happened the view of it taken by both British and Indian soldiers had extreme results, many soldiers went what we would probably consider mad with rage and certainly after it both the British and loyal Indian troops were utterly fanatical (often launching reckless charges and not caring for personal survival, the cost in officers of this was incredibly steep) and not given to quarter at all, many were furious when they heard of the pardons (inacted by the civil government) and some remained so decades later.

[@Indian_Tovarisch]

​@@vorynrosethorn903another reason the INA was formed during WW2 despite being readily fascist and pro-japanese they were anti-british which is much better of a reason to support them

[@fearlessfosdick160]

He lost a great opportunity to set up a proper DEI office and to institute proper punishments for causing minor offense to the enemy.

[@rewanolrwngow]

It is fascinating that how a nation whitewashes its own history and create a one dimensional Narrative, We are tought this however such brutal massacres are often left out the same way many such atrocities committed by the British empires is left out in British history....very well narrated without any bias!

[@Indian_Tovarisch]

The indian revenge was far less than what the British comitted No justifying but the British killed millions in aftermath of the mutiny

[@Curmudgeon2]

Sometimes the worst garrison officers are the best wartime officers...but, knowing the British army of that time and even as late as WWII, the "Upper Crust, school tie" crowd ran things and tried to get rid of anyone that wasn't "one of them"....competence was not necessarily a plus and in fact with some it was not a reason to get rid of you.

[@andrewwebb2241]

Why don’t all the videos in the playlist show?

[@redcoathistory]

Hi mate - apologies but can yiu give me more info so I can check?

[@andrewwebb2241]

@@redcoathistory yes, thank you. The playlist for the Sepoy Mutiny lists six videos, but only three appear: the intro video, the oldest VC winner, and Remember Crownpore. But no others appear. Are there three more videos in the playlist? Thank you.

[@redcoathistory]

@@andrewwebb2241 - oh I see. - I think that is because they are made and uploaded but set to private as I have scheduled them for later release. Apologies but they will be out over the next few eeks.

[@andrewwebb2241]

@@redcoathistory Thank you. Your channel is great.

[@davidlloyd2225]

4:21 ancestry matters❤️🇬🇧💯 4:35

[@anoop61284]

Wheeler was killed before sattichaura massacre, same day when they were on way to the river bank.

[@redcoathistory]

Hi, I haven't read that - what is your source please?

[@billballbuster7186]

It is interesting that the first units to Mutiny were Muslims who had been recruited in Oudh, a State which had been annexed in 1856. The Hindu leadership only emerged later in the general rebellion which followed the mutiny. The Indian decision to butcher men, women and children ensured their defeat and the reprisals that followed. Though the Cawnpoor massacres are the most infamous, the butchering of women and children was widespread. The two women taken by Muslim Sowars were raped and became sex slaves of the men, marriage was a polite term that did not really apply.

[@Indian_Tovarisch]

The British reprisal resulted in millions of death Int he end the British colonization of India resulted in more deaths than all of world war 1 kileld

[@Peter-lm3ic]

After Cawnpore no quarter was ever given!

[@reynardthefox]

so the surrender at Ft William Henry in the 7years war. the safe passage in the First Afghan War through the Khyber pass...then this ...I would flight to the death and maybe break out

[@stanboyd5820]

Maybe Chris can advise, but I have heard many of the reprisals taken against the mutineers were in fact carried out by the Sepoys who remained true to their oath and despised those who had broken theirs and dishonoured the profession. On the subject of savagery, watching the news from Manipur today I wonder if much has changed.

[@salguodrolyat2594]

All humans have the potential to descend into inhuman savagery. Never be deluded by the human built technological marvels surrounding you into believing otherwise.

[@andrewsward46]

The Sikhs, who despised the Bengal native troops who had defeated their confederacy, were responsible for some depredations, but I’m afraid the hanging parties that festooned tree branches and makeshift gallows with corpses were British officers and civil servants.

[@stanboyd5820]

@@andrewsward46 .

[@stanboyd5820]

Oh i wasn't implying the British were blameless. But it shows the attitudes of the day were much more complex and the description of the rising as "the first war of independence" to be flawed.

[@Indian_Tovarisch]

​@@stanboyd5820it was indeed the 1st war of independence since the goal was to establish an indian republic with a constitutional monarchy

[@jameswade4097]

The east india company didn;t care about people just profit. the 1840s sikh wars showed the marshal trates of both the British and the Sikhs. The Sikhs hated the Hindu and Muslim for fitghing aganst them for the British, but they new the british won the battles.conversely .John Nicholson [an infidel ] commanded a group of Muslim horsemen who would die for him. Yes complicated .Good video.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks. Nicholson plays a big role and will be discussed in the next few mutiny videos I’m working on 👍🏼

[@andrewmcneilismcneilis6596]

Why the black eye?

[@redcoathistory]

boxing and getting caught too often by guys younger than me.

[@StuartWhelan-up8vs]

​@@redcoathistoryAt least your honest 😂😂

[@amitmangsulikar7153]

Massacre of kanpur is tragic incident no doubt but you should also mention atrocities done by General Nil colum with poor Indian villagers. They burnt down hundreds of villages.

[@vatsal7640]

I think he has done a video on him already.

[@alexc8209]

Ive read 'our bones are scattered' and yes, its hard to read it and still like Indian people. I knew an Indian lady who grew up in Kanpur and her girls school had 'the Well' within its grounds. I gave her the book.

[@Indian_Tovarisch]

Any sympathy for Brits we had is lost after more than 200 years of British enslavement and wealth extraction towards Britain So much stolen, so many sacrificed for an empire which was racist. Why will indians admire the ones who were supporters of colonialism

[@tabletsam5624]

The small Soldiers was ever the Legend. Never the great Offiziers.

[@danforbes4513]

whats with the black eyes ? jumped?

[@redcoathistory]

Boxing. At 45 I get hit more than I used to 😅

[@mickmacgonigle5021]

Empires rise from hell .......Roger casement

[@nobbytang]

The siege of Delhi…..blood and guts …

[@redcoathistory]

Got a whole series on it mate - have a look, I reckon you will find it interesting 👍🏼

[@juliusdream2683]

Oh fist fighting in the local pub is called boxing 🥊 now?😂🇺🇸👍🏼☝🏼☝🏼☝🏼. Just kidding I dig the content keep it up 👍🏼. I’ll put up a British flag although I have Welch ancestry and feel they were gang pressed into the British empire. 🇬🇧🇺🇸.

[@redcoathistory]

Many thanks. Ps the Welsh are generally a proud part of Britain 👍🏼

[@juliusdream2683]

@@redcoathistory I spelled it wrong but yes now but not in the beginning. My father’s side left Wale’s like 300 years ago 🇬🇧👍🏼🇺🇸🥊😅.

[@JackofDaShadows]

Black eye?

[@redcoathistory]

Yep, that's a regular thing on this channel. I still box with younger lads and they usually too fit and strong for me these days :-)

[@Thurnmourer]

You get decked in the face or something?

[@InKwetrust99]

British were trying to convert Indians at this time: didn’t work!!!!

[@keithagn]

Those people, the British, were betrayed. What a disgrace.

[@Indian_Tovarisch]

Why would we serve the same colonizers who tried to convert us and extract wealth from us

[@deanaldridge4277]

Great video, but what happened to your face? Both eyelids, and you're left cheek looked bruised. I hope you are well. Thank you.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks a lot. I used to be a boxer and I still like to spar - but at 45 I’m not as fast as I used to be 😅

[@salguodrolyat2594]

​@@redcoathistoryA martial man narrating a martial video. It is fitting.😁

[@roymcnicholas4825]

By the look of your mush mate I would stick to the history 😂😂😂😂

[@Rustsamurai1]

The dark heart of the Indian

[@Indian_Tovarisch]

Cope hard, indians are richest in Britain Your PM is Indian brownie

[@Rustsamurai1]

@@Indian_Tovarisch Sorry, does that negate my point?

[@biswaranjanmallick7407]

​@@Rustsamurai1Everyone has a dark heart even whom you admired and named yourselves.. the Japanese used to eat your people.

[@stevenhess5528]

They were a Private army a corpodate Army. Theystole their lland.they were trying to get it back. They were the heroes. . its ok to like your coulntry. But it's histtory. Drop the biased thinking. Might d. Help you.

[@Janus-fn2uz]

We are not 'guys' sonny. We are MEN! Drop the American pap and keep our language. English!

[@redcoathistory]

Sorry mate 😂

[@mikehoare6093]

you what, mate ? foul taste in the mouth ? concentration camps in south africa left a foul taste in the mouth, amritsar left a foul taste in the mouth, your dealings in china left a foul taste in the mouth, need I go on ? the whole concept of colonial rule was basically built on racism ! at least you´ve pointed out, that there are different views on this socalled "mutiny", I´ll give you that.

[@BingoFrogstrangler]

How do keep your feet clean in your little hut.

[@vorynrosethorn903]

Universalism is false an the Indians started this mutiny because they feared being treated like Christians and thus polluted. The empire was built on understanding and respecting local culture and social structures, we wouldn't have been able to run it without that, we then get accused of being racist for acknowledging clear differences or not trying to turn them all into continental liberals, the fact that the argument comes from communists tell you all you need to know and more (unlike the British they were involved in extensive ethnic cleansing). Amrisar was a rogue British officer who literally picked Nepalese to do it as he knew they wouldn't question orders (Indian troops likely would have refused and British caught on to the fact he was barking), it was however a travesty that he wasn't hanged. The concentration camps were a logistic and health care failure, they weren't deliberate like the later namesakes. Also once the whistle was blown the issues were fixed, again shameful neglect but not genocide.

[@lyndoncmp5751]

British colonialism abolished slavery, introduced modern human rights, the judiciary process, democracy, life saving medicines, scientific advances, better sanitary conditions etc etc. The world is a better place because of the British Empire.

[@Indian_Tovarisch]

​@@lyndoncmp5751another delusional man The British abolished slavery in theory but indentured labour existed basically slavery but a bit less brutal and still same

[@lyndoncmp5751]

@@Indian_Tovarisch The British abolished slavery in practice, not theory. Don't try to re-write history.

[@Cdr_Mansfield_Cumming]

One spent a good deal of time learning about the Raj and how the “Empire” was first formed in the BIC at school. One took pride in the ingenuity and brilliant soldiering that won the day (in most cases). I would imagine left-wing history teachers in state schools would have this 180° today.