1938/01/01 by Percival Spear · 1 citation
Social Sciences · Arts and Humanities · Engineering · #Politics and Conflicts in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Middle East #Indian History and Philosophy #Mutiny #Misfortune #Legend #History #Ancient history #Rumble #Art #Art history #Literature #Engineering
paper · doi:10.1017/s1474691300003814
openalex publication_date 1938/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21
The popular mind loves the dramatic and the macabre, and so it has come about that the two events of British Indian History which the man in the street is aware of are the Black Hole of Calcutta and the Great Mutiny. When there were no Mutiny horrors to contemplate, their place was taken by the legend of Tipu Sultan; even in 1831 Ram Mohan Roy was followed about by crowds in London crying Tipu Tipu. It has been a misfortune for British Indian understanding that these two events seemed discreditable to India; for though Seraja-Daula is now acquitted of responsibility for the Black Hole, and the military revolt theory of the Mutiny generally prevails, the popular legend continues. The well of Cawnpore is remembered where the well of Ujnalla is forgotten.