Armies of the Raj: From the Mutiny to Independence, 1858 - 1947: From the Great Indian Mutiny to Independence, 1858-1947 - Hardcover

Farwell, Byron

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0670809918 ISBN 13: 9780670809912

Publisher: Viking, 1990

Synopsis

An account of all the forces in India during the last 90 years of the British Raj. It includes information on the organization of the Indian Army, the Khyber Rifles and Skinner's horse, the pageantry of the Imperial Assemblage and the brothels of Lucknow. It also includes such events as the Singapore Mutiny, the great venereal epidemic which hospitalized more than half the British soldiers in India and the Amritsar massacres which shocked the world in 1919. Farwell's description of the Japanese inspired Indian National Army demonstrates how Britain's firm grip on its Indian sword slipped in the last days of the Raj. The author has written nine books, histories and biographies including "Burton: a Biography of Sir Richard Francis Burton" and "The Gurkhas".

About this title

Review

Now that the Raj has gone with the winds of change, Byron Farwell's masterly picture is doubly welcome, . . . whether emphasizing the jewels in its military crown, the Jam Sahibs in its cricket matches, the mutinies, massacres, and finally Independence. Salaam! --Elizabeth Longford"

With a profusion of anecdotes conveying the character of India under British rule, Farwell offers a panoramic survey of the Indian army during the 90 years between the Sepoy Revolt and the births of independent India and Pakistan. . . . Farwell is particularly entertaining on the subjects of polo playing, tiger hunting, pig-sticking and promiscuous romancing--all popular forms of relaxation for army men. Other matters of interest include discussion of the Sikhs, whose innate ferocity was fully exploited by the British, and an account of the 1919 massacre at Amritsar--a catalytic event that convinced many that the British would never accept Indians as equals.

From the Back Cover

'Now that the Raj has gone with the winds of change, Byron Farwell's masterly picture if doubly welcome, ...whether emphasizing the jewels in its military crown, the Jam Sahibs in its cricket matches, the mutinies, massacres and finally, Independence. Salaam!' -Elizabeth Longford

Edition details

• Publisher: Viking
• Publication date: 1990
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0670809918
• ISBN 13: 9780670809912
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 400