The Lucknow Residency: A Story of 1857

by Eva Chatterji

The Lucknow A Story of 1857 is a journey to the past, taking visitors back to five harrowing months of the Indian Mutiny and into the very lives of the men, women, and children whose very survival depended on these now silent ruins. The buildings each tell a tale of heroism and desperation, as eyewitness accounts provide a unique glimpse into a siege which changed the entire balance of this fearsome war. The visitor can now experience the Siege of Lucknow told through the reminiscences of the besieged, bringing to life a history that slumbers on, in the grounds of the Lucknow Residency.

252 pages, Paperback

Published July 23, 2024

Reviews

[Catherine Arthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an exceptionally well-researched book. It is informative, fascinating, but at times very difficult to read due to the nature of the eye-witness accounts and experiences of everyday life during the five-month siege of Lucknow.
The book is in five distinct parts. The first gives a background to the mutiny, and leads us up to the time when the siege began. Then comes a guide book for visitors and readers alike, documenting each building and garrison, a description of their situation before and how they were later attacked and mostly destroyed, how they were used, and who was stationed or housed in each. Colour plates from 1857 (sometimes before) and also from today enhance the experience, together with military records and civilian reports about what happened to building and its occupants.
The third part documents life for those struggling to survive; not only the soldiers and officers, but women with children who also nursed the sick, and who were dealing with the loss or unknown fate of their loved ones. Their day to day problems are unimaginable to us today. Through diaries written by both military men and civilians, many of them women, we are given a fly-on-the-wall view of life within the walls of a besieged compound. Then comes the final departure from Lucknow at the end of the siege which was also not without its problems, and finally a comprehensive list of the people who were involved.
A wonderful resource, not only for those wishing to visit Lucknow, but just as an amazing read. I felt that I was there, experiencing the trials these people went through, their hardships, but also the strength of character and humanity in many instances, which saw them help and support each other right through to the end. A tragic time, but worth knowing about, and you could not get a more informative account than this exceptional book.

[Jan Miklaszewicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book, which starts by acquainting the reader with the background and history of the Lucknow Siege before truly hitting its stride with a tour of the site and an account of life during those dreadful days. I felt myself tagging along with a passionate, expert guide, each building and location with a story of its own, and I’ve come away with a far better understanding of what those poor residents went through (as well as some of the shoddy leadership that set the ball rolling in the first place). Highly recommended.