Books on Indian Mutiny?

[RedRowan]

What books would people recommend for an introduction to the Indian Mutiny? I have the Osprey Essential Histories title and have ordered the Osprey MAA one but what else do people feel is worth a read?

Thanks

Steve

[sakura11]

Hi
The indiam mutiny by saul david is excellent

[Atheling]

The best book by far that I have read is, Our Bones Are Scattered, Andrew Ward which was suggestion made to me by Col. Mike Snook when he first started the Iron Duke Indian Mutiny range.

It's a brilliantly evocative accurate historical narrative. He is an American historian so avoids any potential jingoistic pitfalls, not that this is usually a problem nowadays.

Amazon have copies here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Our-Bones-Are-Scattered-Massacres/dp/0805024379

Of course, there's an absolute wealth of information (including the all important maps) on the Iron Duke website here:
https://www.irondukeminiatures.co.uk/historical-notes

I hope that's of some help to you?

[sjwalker51]

“The Great Mutiny” (Hibbert) is a good overall introduction.

I’d second “Our Bones...” on Cawnpore. “A Season in Hell” (Edwardes) is good for Lucknow. “The Last Mughal” (Dalrymple) and “Rifles & Kukris” (Wallace) for Delhi.

“Naval Brigades in the Indian Mutiny”. (Rowbotham) is a good read and
Leonaur publish a lot of contemporary accounts of the Mutiny.

Definitely worth looking at the Iron Duke Miniatures website for a wealth of information  and the FIBI wiki is a great online resource.

[Andrew_McGuire]

Saul David's The Indian Mutiny is a fairly recent overview of the entire conflict which appears fair and reasonably authoritative. (I haven't read much else so am not in a position to say how it compares to other works mentioned).


https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0141005548?psc=1&pf_rd_p=cab8f866-27b2-438f-8f39-1084eece4906&pf_rd_r=CYQ93026Q83HSG6D76G7&pd_rd_wg=QrmUY&pd_rd_i=0141005548&pd_rd_w=Ju6aT&pd_rd_r=49b13af4-6544-41cb-96fe-fc4209995b63&ref_=pd_luc_rh_crh_rh_sbs_sem_01_02_t_img_lh

From about the same publication date, there is also a study of the British army during the Mutiny, which should provide some of the military detail required for gaming it:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0141005548?psc=1&pf_rd_p=cab8f866-27b2-438f-8f39-1084eece4906&pf_rd_r=CYQ93026Q83HSG6D76G7&pd_rd_wg=QrmUY&pd_rd_i=0141005548&pd_rd_w=Ju6aT&pd_rd_r=49b13af4-6544-41cb-96fe-fc4209995b63&ref_=pd_luc_rh_crh_rh_sbs_sem_01_02_t_img_lh

[Atheling]

From about the same publication date, there is also a study of the British army during the Mutiny, which should provide some of the military detail required for gaming it:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0141005548?psc=1&pf_rd_p=cab8f866-27b2-438f-8f39-1084eece4906&pf_rd_r=CYQ93026Q83HSG6D76G7&pd_rd_wg=QrmUY&pd_rd_i=0141005548&pd_rd_w=Ju6aT&pd_rd_r=49b13af4-6544-41cb-96fe-fc4209995b63&ref_=pd_luc_rh_crh_rh_sbs_sem_01_02_t_img_lh

(Actually the link above just leads to the Saul book on Amazon)

Wow! I wasn't aware of the British Army study one- thanks

[RedRowan]

Thanks guys, really appreciate it. Had completely missed the Historical Notes section on Mike’s site.

Steve

[OB]

I found think William Russell's War Diary to be very useful.  He also covered the Crimean War for the Times. First class journalism from a man on the spot who knew how wars were fought.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Indian-Mutiny-Diary-William-Russell/dp/0527781207

Hibbert is very good too.

[dadlamassu]

Many yeas ago I did a lot of research and published it on my website.

http://www.morvalearth.co.uk/Indian%20Mutiny/Indian_mutiny_index.htm

[RedRowan]

Some great links here, thanks guys.

Have ordered a copy of ‘Our bones are scattered’ and added the Saul and Hibbert books to my wish list to start with. 

Steve

[Atheling]

Some great links here, thanks guys.

Have ordered a copy of ‘Our bones are scattered’ and added the Saul and Hibbert books to my wish list to start with. 

Steve

I should perhaps have warned you, Our Bones Are Scattered is quite harrowing. I think you'll find it a gripping and informative read.

[Blackwolf]

Siege of Krishnapur by J G Farrel,a fictionalized account and very good.

[FifteensAway]

Glad to see Edwarde's A Season in Hell mentioned.  I still find it the best book on the period I've read, much better than the Hibbert book which is okay (read it twice and the second read was a bit of a slog to be honest, Edwarde's book is a joy to reread).

Will have to check out the Iron Duke site to see what treasures await!

[Atheling]

Will have to check out the Iron Duke site to see what treasures await!

You will not be disappointed.  There's a plethora of information- uniforms guides, Cawnpore - Lucknow, the Siege of Delhi, Battle of Agra, Organisation of regiments (British and Indian), Uniform Guides (British and Indian) and even a glossary!




 

[WillieB]

All excellent suggestions- especially the Iron Duke site!-
Will get Rifles and Kukris as I hadn't even heard of that one yet.

If allowed I would like to add They Fight Like Devils from Kinsley, again about the siege of Lucknow which I found a good read,  and A matter of Honour by Philp Mason. Now the latter isn't strictly about the Indian Mutiny but gives a great insight in all things that led to it as well.
 
Images of Delhi 1857 ( Jason Askew) is a booklet of some 20 Illustrations (sketches and colour drawings)  that are so characterful you'll immediately want to start painting!