Reinforcements arrive
Lieutenant F. R. Aikman, 3rd Irregular Cavalry, winning the VC at Lucknow, March 1858. NAM 1962-03-1
On 22 November Campbell was finally able to evacuate the Residency. After defeating a large rebel force outside Cawnpore on 6 December, and clearing the area of mutineers, Campbell returned to Lucknow in March 1858.
Here he joined Sir James Outram’s garrison of 4,000 men at the Alumbagh, a large enclosure situated just outside the city. Outram and his men had held the position since the previous November. Reinforced by new troops from Britain and 9,000 Gurkhas sent by the King of Nepal, the British attacked the city on 2 March 1858. Lucknow was finally cleared of rebels on 21 March.
Rani in revolt
Miniature of Lakshmi Bai, the Rani of Jhansi, c1857. NAM 1959-11-372-1
Opposition to British control of Central India centered on the town of Jhansi, where Rani Lakshmi Bai opposed the annexation of her state. In June 1857 the Bengal infantry and cavalry regiments stationed in central India mutinied. The Gwalior Contingent, a force in the service of the pro-British Maharajah Sindia, joined them.
On 5 June, British officers, civilians and Indian servants who were sheltering in Jhansi fort, were killed by the Rani’s men. The rebels had offered to spare their lives if they surrendered, and it was believed that the Rani of Jhansi had guaranteed their safety.
Victory after victory
Jhansi Fort, c1857. NAM 1963-07-61-1
Major-General Sir Hugh Rose’s Central India Field Force advanced from Bombay in December 1857. Rose relieved Saugor, where a small European garrison was besieged, on 5 February 1858 and then advanced on Jhansi. The rebels attempted a stand before the city but were defeated at Madanpur.
Rose then besieged Jhansi on 24 March before defeating Tantya Tope’s relief army a week later. Tantya Tope was one of Nana Sahib’s men, and was regarded as one of the finest rebel soldiers.
On 3 April Jhansi was stormed and looted. At least 5,000 defenders died, but the Rani escaped after personally leading a counter-attack. Rose then advanced on Kalpi and won the battles of Kunch on 1 May and Kalpi itself on 16 May.
