Title: Lahore Cantonments
Subtitle: During The British Raj
Description: As the sun set over the Sikh Empire, a new chapter was being written in the annals of history. It was a time of great change, a time when the British Raj held sway over the land, and the fate of the people of Punjab hung in the balance. It was an epoch when the streets of Lahore echoed with the sound of gunfire, and the scent of gunpowder lingered in the air. But it was also a time of great struggle, as the people of Lahore fought to maintain their way of life in the face of overwhelming odds. The story of Lahore cantonments is one of triumph and tragedy, of heroism and heartbreak, and of the enduring spirit of a people who refused to be broken.
This is the first book to uncover the secrets of Lahore cantonments during the Raj. Starting in 1846, when the British took over the Lahore Fort and Anarkullee Chaoniy, the story unfolds a fascinating journey through time. It explores the creation of Meean Meer Cantonment in 1850 and its renaming as Lahore Cantonment in 1905, meticulously examining each era with great detail and intrigue. This was probably the only cantonment during the Raj that experienced relocation from the Fort to Anarkullee and finally to Meean Meer, all in a quest for a healthier living station for the troops. Yet, despite the grandeur of the Crown, all three garrisons endured such extensive mortality among the British soldiers that the cantonments earned the ominous nickname "The Graveyard of India."
In this groundbreaking work, we take a journey back in time to the very birth of the Meean Meer (The official name of Lahore cantonment for fifty-five years). We explore the challenges faced by its founders, and the harsh realities of life in a place where the struggle for survival was a daily battle. Through the eyes of those who lived and worked within its environ, we witness the rise of a cantonment that would come to define an era. But this is more than just a story of bricks and mortar. It is a story of the people who called Meean Meer home, and of the struggles they faced in a world that was rapidly changing. It is a tale of love and loss, of hope and despair, and of the indomitable human spirit that refused to be crushed.
This work spans a decade of meticulous research, involving the consultation of hundreds of books, reports, periodicals, newspapers, and articles. The majority of the literature examined originates from the nineteenth century. Most of the illustrations included are rare and have not been reproduced for nearly a century or more. Special chapters are dedicated to Rudyard Kipling's affection for Meen Meer and Lieutenant Charles Pulley's illustrations, highlighting their significance and contribution to the work.
Get ready to be swept away as we explore the past, discovering the hidden stories of the princes and travelers; sahibs and memsahibs; Tommies and prostitutes; romance and lust; sepoys and rebellions; followers and natives; horses and elephants; storms and earthquakes; cholera and malaria; joy and grief; and disease and death. Each chapter reveals a new aspect of this captivating history, leaving readers amazed and spellbound. Join us on this exciting adventure as we navigate through the twists and turns of history, shedding light on one of the most exciting cantonments in British India.
Subjects: Lahore Cantonments, British Raj, Lahore, Meean Meer Cantonment, Lahore Fort, British Soldiers in India
Places: Lahore
People: Rudyard Kipling, Richard Lawrence
Time periods: British Raj in India