On Slippery Ground

Abstract

The article attempts to look at some of the aspects of 1857 in the Punjab and in particular at the British position in the Punjab during 1857. It explains why Punjab was such an important province for the British to hold on to India and why they could not let it go up in flames. Contrary to the general perception, the British position in the Punjab was not secure. In spite of the pre-emptive steps taken to prevent the uprising in Punjab, the situation was very grim. The article looks at the situation prevailing in different cities of Punjab such as Peshawar, Multan, Lahore, Amritsar, Ludhiana and others. It illustrates the manipulations, intrigues and cruelty resorted to by the British in order to keep the situation under control, and how despite all this, they failed to prevent the people and the infantry from expressing their discontent and disaffection for the British rule. The article also exposes the precariousness of the British position in the Punjab as expressed in the words of its own officers.