Folio Archives 352: The Siege of Delhi by Richard Barter 1984
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1wcarter
The Siege of Delhi, Mutiny Memories of an Old Officer by Richard Barter 1984
I love first-hand accounts of historic events, and this is one such book.
In 1857 the sepoys in the employ of the British Army in India mutinied and massacred thousands of not only soldiers, but women and children too. The reasons for the uprising were multiple and prolonged, and included the demolition of temples, forced Christian baptisms and other religious threats, but the final rumour to trigger a revolt was that the ammunition they were using was covered in grease made from cattle fat, something that was sacred to Hindus.
The horrendous casualties on both sides, as well as the extraordinary acts of bravery and heroism, are documented by Barter as he diarises his experiences during the mutiny and the subsequent siege of Delhi. This book is not for the faint hearted as appalling wounds and atrocities are documented in detail. Barter was an adjutant who was in the forefront of many battles, and was wounded himself, but lived to retire back to Britain as a Lieutenant General.
At 130 pages, it is a slim volume that is easily read. The book was edited and introduced by Christopher Hibbert. There are 14 bound-in pages of contemporary photographs and etchings. It is bound in yellow cloth, printed with a wrap-around lithograph in brown of a contemporary etching. The endleaves are pale brown printed in dark brown with an historic plan of Delhi. The page tops are stained brown and the pale yellow-brown slipcase measures 22.7x16cm
. . . . . 
Laid in postcard with tear-off bookmark.
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.
I love first-hand accounts of historic events, and this is one such book.
In 1857 the sepoys in the employ of the British Army in India mutinied and massacred thousands of not only soldiers, but women and children too. The reasons for the uprising were multiple and prolonged, and included the demolition of temples, forced Christian baptisms and other religious threats, but the final rumour to trigger a revolt was that the ammunition they were using was covered in grease made from cattle fat, something that was sacred to Hindus.
The horrendous casualties on both sides, as well as the extraordinary acts of bravery and heroism, are documented by Barter as he diarises his experiences during the mutiny and the subsequent siege of Delhi. This book is not for the faint hearted as appalling wounds and atrocities are documented in detail. Barter was an adjutant who was in the forefront of many battles, and was wounded himself, but lived to retire back to Britain as a Lieutenant General.
At 130 pages, it is a slim volume that is easily read. The book was edited and introduced by Christopher Hibbert. There are 14 bound-in pages of contemporary photographs and etchings. It is bound in yellow cloth, printed with a wrap-around lithograph in brown of a contemporary etching. The endleaves are pale brown printed in dark brown with an historic plan of Delhi. The page tops are stained brown and the pale yellow-brown slipcase measures 22.7x16cm
. . . . . 
Laid in postcard with tear-off bookmark.
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.
2PartTimeBookAddict
I started this a couple years ago, but for whatever reason left it on the back burner after the introduction.
This post has reminded me to pick it up again. Thanks.
This post has reminded me to pick it up again. Thanks.
3astropi
>1 wcarter: Always love your beautiful threads, thank you! Is this printed letterpress?
4wcarter
>3 astropi:
Printed lithographically.
Printed lithographically.
