Besieged: Voices from Delhi 1857

by Mahmood Farooqui

This groundbreaking, first-time translation of the Mutiny Papers documenting the siege of Delhi shifts focus away from conventional understandings of 1857. Mahmood Farooqui's translations chronicle the lives of courtesans, soldiers, potters, spies, faqirs, doctors and harassed policemen, all trying to live through the turmoil of their city. They present a searing portrait of the hopes, beliefs, and failures of ordinary people who lived through the end of an era.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, India

320 pages, Hardcover

First published July 16, 2010

Reviews

[Abhay Nair · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a scholar's collection of documents showcasing the lives caught up in the 1857 Soldier's Revolt against the British in Delhi. It shows the order amidst the chaos of the time. It's indispensable for a student or follower of the 1857 Mutiny ( I prefer calling it rebellion).

For a general reader of history... Please don't look for a story here. You need to know the story and come to this collection to get some depth to the historical understanding of the Revolt. I tried reading it end to end, but soon realised it was not the right way for me. The collection is divided into sets of documents. Each set has an introduction. Jump from one introduction to the other. To gain more depth focus on that section and read the keys to form your snapshot of history.

Is an eye opener. But one needs to get the knowledge of the Revolt else where and the build on it with this.

[Anirudh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating account of life in Delhi during the peak of the 1857 Indian revolt against the British. Composed of letters, telegrams and notes of the era,(translated beautifully and more importantly, faithfully, by the author) the book provides an amazing glimpse of a city far removed and different from the one that we know today. But even with the differences, the reader can instantly feel connected to the people who are separated from us by centuries yet sometimes end up facing the exact same issues that we encounter today(hindu-muslim divide, robbers, soldiers demanding payments and even elopements!). A must read for any true history buff, this book gives a rare account of life in 1857 in the own words of people who lived and died during the great revolt.

[The Book Outline · Rating 4 out of 5]

The year 1857 symbolizes the year of the mutiny or the First War of Independence which witnessed armed uprising against the British with the aim to re-establish the authority of a fading Mughal power over the subcontinent and its consequent failure leading to deportation of the last Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar to Rangoon and establishment of the British rule in India. It was inevitable that Delhi, which was the seat of power during Mughal rule, would suffer the most during the uprising, with the residents going through the havoc of the created turmoil.

Read the complete review of Besieged Voices From Delhi 1857 at
http://www.thebookoutline.com/2013/12...

[Rajiv Chopra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book with a lot of anticipation, but I felt a bit of a let down. While the commentaries themselves are very good, the writings, or the Voices themselves, if taken out of context do not reveal the anguish of a people who had to go through 18 months of mayhem.

It is a pity that there are no voices of the people during and after the British massacres in Delhi. This is a let down.

I am surprised to note that the Sikhs also fought on behalf of the rebels.

The writings of Maulvi Baqar are extremely interesting and reveal much, and this is the highlight of the book.

To me it is a book with an unfulfilled promise. Yet, a book worth reading again.

[Vrinda Pandey · Rating 3 out of 5]

fascinating walk thru delhi and 1857 India.