The tourist's guide to Lucknow (1899)
EDWARD H. HILTON.
(From a photograph taken in 1895.)
THE
TOURIST'S GUIDE TO LUCKNOW.
IN FIVE CHAPTERS.
| CHAPTER I.— | A Brief History of Oudh and its Rule under the Native Government, up to the time of the Annexation of the Province by the British in 1856 |
Page 1 |
| CHAPTER II.— | A narrative of the startling events at Lucknow in 1857, with a graphic account of the Investment of the Residency |
Page 14 |
| CHAPTER III.— | A short Biography of the Kings of Oudh, with a geographical sketch of the Province |
Page 109 |
| CHAPTER IV.— | A Guide (with maps of City and Cantonments) to the places of interest in Lucknow |
Page 126 |
| CHAPTER V.— | A Guide to the Residency, with plan of the Intrenched Position |
Page 155 |
By one of the Beleaguered Garrison.
THIRD EDITION,
REVISED AND ILLUSTRATED.
LUCKNOW:
PRINTED AT THE METHODIST PUBLISHING HOUSE.。
1899.
[ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.]
To be had of Messrs. Murray & Co., and Methodist
Publishing House, Lucknow.
PRICE Rs. 3.
OPINIONS OF THE PRESS
“The book entitled ‘The Martiniere Boys in the Residency’ to which we referred the other day as having been presented by the author - Edward H. Hilton—to the Countess of Dufferin, on the occasion of Her Excellency’s visit to the Residency,-is now before us in a neat illustrated wrapper, displaying two of the most historical buildings in Lucknow, viz, the College itself and the remnants of the house which gave its name to the British intrenched position during the ever memorable defence known as the most glorious of all the annals of British valor and renown in India Mr. Hilton’s book is a simple narrative of all that occurred in Lucknow during the eventful epoch of 1857. He describes the outbreak of the Mutiny in the Oudh capital, and the protective measures that devolved on Sir Henry Lawrence in consequence of the same. The part taken by La Martiniére Boys in the stirring incidents of the five months' siege are described lucidly and truthfully by an eve-witness who was himself one of the beleaguered garrison. Mr. ilton has done honor to himself and to his College in becoming the historian of events which show that the British school boy is capable of vieing with the bravest and best in the hour of danger and trial, and is willing to undergo privations and risk his life for the honor and glory of ‘Old England!’ The task undertaken from esprit de corps has been well performed, and is a noble tribute to Alma Mater. There is much that is original in the book, interspersed among interesting excerpts from the best sources, which make its pages attractive reading, and we commend the volume as a useful record of the period and events of which it treats. It embodies much within a small compass, and presents valuable information in a cheap and handy form. While no Martiniere boy will be without a copy of the book, we believe it ought to find a place on the book-shelf of every Anglo-Indian having associations connected with the great Sepoy Rebellion. The style and get up make the book a suitable ornament for any drawing-room table.”
A contemporary thus describes the part taken by La Martiniére Boys during the investment:—
“The startling events of the Mutiny of fifty-seven have made Lucknow a word which 15 not only a monument to the courage and endurance of those who there made a glorious defence against the overwhelming hosts of the fanatical enemies of England, but is also a, lasting memorial of British power in India. The ‘Defence of the Residency’ is without parallel in Indian history. That building, and the surrounding houses, forming a weak, irregular, and incomplete enclosure, were maintained for five months against fearful odds. This was the only spot then possessed by the British in the whole kingdom of Oudh. and the eyes of all India were anxiously turned towards the intrepid garrison till its partial relief was accomplished by General Havelock on the 25th September, 1857. in the chain of posts which formed the British line of defence, the ‘Baillie Guard’ gate is, perhaps, that best known; but the most perilous guard of this frail fortress was the terrible ‘Cawnpore-battery.’
“In close proximity to this post of danger was the position held bravely throughout the seige by fifty boys of the Martiniere, who in addition to military duty, gave general assistance as hospital attendants, signallers, and in a variety of other ways. Many of these noble little fellows grew to manhood, and are now members of the Oudh Rifle Volunteers. They were all decorated with the Mutiny Medal, and received a bar attached to it for the 'Defence of Lucknow. ”—[1] The Express. "THE MARTINIERE BOYS IN THE RESIDENCY."
"The above title seems somewhat a misnomer for what is really a very excellent Lucknow Guide and Tourists' vade mecum, of which a second edition has just been issued by Mr. E. Hilton, the author and compiler. True enough, the reminiscences of the 'Old Boy' of the Martiniere form a very interesting chapter in the book, but it is now so amplified in many material respects that the brochure might very properly be re-named, and thus, perhaps, attract the 'globe-trotting' 'globe-trotting' generally than it is apt to do under its present designation.
"We have noticed the previous edition, and now need merely say that the work is the very best of its kind that has hitherto been published and although there are still some trifling errors of description, this veritable 'Guide' to the many notable buildings in Lucnow and neighbourhood cannot be too greatly commended for its general historical accuracy and the care which has evidently been taken to make it really useful to visitors to this celebrated city. There are some good illustrations, an interesting plan of the Residency grounds at the time of the beleaguerment, and a lithographed map of Lucknow City, all of which will prove very useful to visitors."—The Express.
Note.—Some years ago the compiler of this little work issued a small pamphlet giving his reminiscences of the Residency at Lucknow in 1857.
This pamphlet confined itself to, the description of the incidents which had come under the writer's personal observation; the writer himself being then a student of La Martiniere College, the College boys, as might have been expected, figured most prominently in his narrative, and the pamphlet was accordingly entitled "The Martiniére Boys in the Residency." It was very generously received by the public, and was favourably reviewed by the Press.
Some of the opinions then expressed will be found reprinted above, and the various testimonies to the appreciation in which the book was held encouraged the author to amplify the next edition by giving a fuller account of the siege, and adding short biographies of the Kings of Oudh, and an account of the state of the province whilst under their rule.
A brief description of the places of interest in Lucknow was also included and, as these different additions continued to be maintained, amplified and revised in subsequent editions. the work became a Guide as well as, a History, and it was thought advisable to change he title to that which it now bears.
PREFACE.
The Tourist's Guide to Lucknow has been thoroughly revised and enlarged for the present edition. Some slight inaccuracies. which appeared in the former editions have been corrected, and the whole work has been brought up to date. The Maps of the City and Cantonments have been made as accurate and reliable as possible.
I am greatly indebted to the Rev Thomas Moore, formerly Civil Chaplain of Lucknow, (Retired for generously permitting me to make use of his works. These have been of especial value to me in compiling the Guide to the Residency and plan of the Intrenched Position.
I have also to acknowledge my indebtedness to the authors of the volumes indicated in the subjoined list:—
General Sleeman's Tour through Oudh.
Mutinies in Oudh, by Gubbins.
Siege of Lucknow, by Rees.
Diary of the Siege of Lucknow, by Lady Inglis.
Russell's Diary.
Chambers' Indian Mutiny.
The Oudh Gazetteer.
History of the Indian Mutiny, by Colonel Malleson, C. S. I.
Life of Havelock, by Marshman.
Sir Henry Lawrence, the Pacificator, by Lieutenant-
General McLeod Innes.
Great Battles of the British Army.
Medals of the British Army.
EDWARD H. HILTON.
Lucknow, 1899.
This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
Public domainPublic domainfalsefalse
- ↑ Vide Appendix A.