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The Cawnpore Massacre in 1857 was a defining moment in the 1857 Revolt in India.

This is episode 3 in my series on the Indian Sepoy Mutiny / Rebellion.

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After a three week siege, the British garrison at Cawnpore surrendered to the Indians who had risen against British rule.
Despite being offered safe passage, the British soldiers and civilians were attacked as they tried to board boats taking them to safety.
Of the survivors, about 60 men were executed whilst approaching 200 women and children were locked up.

As the British relief column approached the city, the Indian leadership ordered those women and children to be massacred, which they duly were.

This act shocked the British but it also unleashed a reign of terror across northern India as they sought revenge.

It would affect British attitudes in colonial India for decades and remains a sore point for many Indians to this day.

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