Siege of Arrah
| Siege of Arrah | ||
|---|---|---|
| Part of Indian Mutiny | ||
| Date: | 26 July-3 August 1857 | |
| Location: | Arrah, Bhojpur, Bihar | |
| Presidency: | Bengal | |
| Co-ordinates: | 25.559827°N 84.667483°E | |
| Result: | British victory | |
| Combatants | ||
| East India Company | Rebel Sepoys | |
| Commanders | ||
| Mr Herwald Wake Major Dunbar Major Vincent Eyre |
Koer Singh | |
| Strength | ||
| 8 Europeans 60 Sikhs of Rattray's Police Battalion |
2,000 Sepoys | |
| Casualties | ||
Summary
Kunwar Singh took command of the sepoys who mutinied at Dinapore. Forewarned that they would attack Arrah, the Europeans who remained behind fortified a bungalow where they held out for about ten days. A relief force from Dinapore under Captain Dunbar was ambushed as they approached and forced to retreat with heavy casualties. Ross Mangles and William McDonnell won VCs in the action. It wasn't until 3 August that Major Vincent Eyre dispersed the enemy and raised the siege.
First relief force
- HM 37th Regiment (200 men)
- HM 10th Regiment (detachment)
- 50 Sikhs
Second relief force
160 men of HM 5th Fusiliers and 3 guns
under Major Vincent Eyre
External Links
Indian Mutiny 1857-58 The British Empire
Historical books on-line
A turning point in the Indian mutiny by I. Giberne Sieveking 1910 Siege of Arrah www.archive.org
A History of the Great Revolt By John William Kaye 1864 Siege of Arrah Google Books
A comprehensive history of India by Henry Beveridge 1862 Relief of Arrah Google Books
Recommended Reading
"Indian Mutiny" by Saul David 2002 ISBN 0141005548
"My Indian Mutiny Diary" by WH Russell 1967 ISBN 0527781207
Survey 1920-1946