Posing the greatest armed challenge to imperialism in the nineteenth century, 1857 is inscribed in Indian popular memory as the central signpost in the struggle against British domination. In the 150 year of the uprising, this book takes us on a graphic historical journey of the revolt. Through rare contemporary paintings and gripping oral narratives, it brings to life the incidents, institutions, ideas, and individuals connected with the event. The volume recreates the circumstances prevalent not only at the famous storm centres–Meerut, Delhi, Aligarh, Agra, Jhansi, Allahabad, Kanpur, Lucknow, Benaras, and Arrah–but also far-flung areas like Manipur and Dacca. It provides vivid accounts of the episodes connected with the rebellion–circulation of chapattis, the use of greased cartridges, Sepoy Revolts, attacks on British symbols and institutions, battles and seizes, flight of Europeans and British repression. The visuals and the accompanying descriptions also succinctly capture the popular mood, transmission of ideas, and modes of transport and communication used during the revolt. In the introduction to the volume, Som Prakash Verma provides the historical background, British policies and elements of popular discontent. Deploying rebel proclamations and contemporary narratives, he discusses events and anecdotes related to the unfolding of the rebellion. Richly illustrated and lucidly presented, this book will captivate everyone interested in the history of 1857.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Som Prakash Verma
Professor Som Prakash Verma (b.1942), an art historian, at present at the Centre of Advanced Study, Department of History, Aligarh Muslim University, has written two books and has also contributed to scholarly and art journals. His art and Material Culture in the Paintings of Akbar's Court published in 1978 may rightly be said to be the first authentic treatment of art as a source of history by an Indian scholar. His volume, Mughal Painters and Their Work- A Biographical Survey and Comprehensive Catalogue, has been published in 1994 by the Oxford University Press, New Delhi. This is a very important work of reference, indispensable for students of Mughal painting. He has edited Art and Culture (Felicitation Volume in Honour of Professor S. Nurul Hasan) jointly with Professor Ahsan Jan Qaisar (1993); and is the Guest-Editor of the Marg Volume: Flora and Fauna in Mughal Art (forthcoming). Professor Verma is a practicing artist as well. He is the recipient of two prestigious awards by the Indian Academy of Fine Arts, Amritsar (1981) and the Academy of Fine Arts, Calcutta (1982); and his paintings are known in the art galleries, government and private art collections in India and abroad. The exhibitions of historical miniatures (reproductions) prepared by him: (1) Everyday Life and Work in Mughal India (1984), (2) Medieval Technology-Illustrations from Indian Art (1984), (3) Wild Life in Mughal Painting (1985), (4) Medieval Indian Architecture (1986), and (5) The Life of Akbar as Illustrated in Contemporary Miniatures (1992) provide invaluable data on Indian society, culture, art, architecture and technology. At present these are lodged in the Seminar Library, Department of History (AMU). In 1986-7, Professor Verma worked at the Freer Gallery of Art, Smithsonian Institution, and Washington, D.C. as a Fulbright Fellow.
There are no reviews yet.