Agha Humayun Amin

A British Siege Bloodier Than Sevastopol Agha Humayun Amin

The rebel sepoys also had no plans and were actually fearing a British response but no such thing happened. Finally after few hours of loot, arson and slaughter the 3rd Light Cavalry rode towards Delhi. The 11 and 20 Native Infantry also followed them. No effort was made by the British officers at Meerut to either pursue the sepoys or to even send a message to Delhi which was the most likely place where the sepoys could go. On the way to Delhi however the sepoys destroyed the telegraph line156 The rebellion of the Bengal Army had its origins in a century long series of actions and counter actions which were perceived by the Sepoys as unjust. However there is nothing inevitable in history. If one British Troop leader by virtue of his force of personality could keep his troop of 3rd Light Cavalry loyal, why was it that men in position of authority could not act decisively in pursuing the sepoys. Later on at Allahabad or at Lucknow where the British were much more weak in numbers great miracles were achieved and seemingly hopeless situations were retrieved in face of impossible odds. The Meerut outbreak was a major failure in command and the miscarriages that occurred were not beyond the control of Hewitt or Archdale Wilson had they not lacked the decisiveness and resolution, the very qualities because of which the EEIC conquered India in addition to naval power. THE SEIZURE OF DELHI After leaving Meerut at night the sepoys of 3rd Light Cavalry moved towards Delhi which they reached around seven in the morning.