White Mutiny

A pioneering piece of social history. --James Walvin, University of York"Stanley's reconstruction of the aelig;culture' of his officers and men--their careers, relationships, expectations, living conditions--is fascinating. Stanley writes clear, concise, and often witty English. After the jargon-ridden, polysyllabic obfuscation of so much aelig;new' history, his concern for his readers comes as a delightful relief." --Clive Dewey, University of LeicesterIn the White Mutiny of 1859-61--the largest revolt the British army ever faced--European troops operating on behalf of the East India Company rebelled against their transfer to the service of the Queen of England. Through an analysis of the White Mutiny, Peter Stanley provides a portrait of emerging working-class consciousness among the troops and reveals how the British army, the preeminent icon of English imperialism, first maintained, then lost, control over a vast and generally hostile sub-continent.In cantonment offices in Meerut and Calcutta, we find unimpaired the class distinctions and aspirations of contemporary Britain. Penetrating the hidden worlds of the barrack room and the officers' mess, White Mutiny demonstrates the intimate relationship between the military and the social history of British culture in India, and how awareness of each can enrich the other.