Sikandar Bagh

It was stormed in 1857 by the British during the Indian Rebellion and witnessed within its walls the slaughter of all 2,200[2] sepoy mutineers who had made it a stronghold during their Siege of Lucknow.

On the morning of 16 November 1857, whilst passing by its eastern side in a southerly direction, in a sunken lane, the British force was surprised and stopped in its tracks by overwhelmingly heavy fire coming from the Sikander Bagh.

However Blunt of the Bengal Horse Artillery led his troop and "conquering the impossible",[4] brought them with their guns into an open space to the east of the Sikandar Bagh, galloping through enemy fire.

Sappers and miners demolished part of the earth banks which allowing two 18-pounder heavy guns of Travers's battery of the Artillery Brigade to be brought up out of the lane.

The gate was in the process of being closed by the mutineers, when Subadar Mukarab Khan, 4th P.I., a Pathan of Bajaur, one of the leading men of the attack, thrust his left arm and shield between its folds, thus preventing it being shut and barred.

After a long hand-to-hand struggle the British forced their way in greater numbers into the Sikandar Bagh through the gate, and through the breach which had been enlarged by the sappers.

[8] Lord Roberts who witnessed the assault later recalled: "'Inch by inch they were forced back to the pavilion, and into the space between it and the north wall, where they were all shot or bayoneted.

The wounded men could not get clear of their dead comrades, however great their struggles, and those near the top of this ghastly pile vented their rage and determination on every British officer who approached, by showering upon him abuse of the foulest description".

Punjab Infantry Regt., cutting off enemy's retreat; (5) Centre pavilion with verandah; (6) Two-storied building overlooking whole garden with own courtyard behind; (7) East bastion, exploded, killing Lt. Paul, in command of 4th P.I.

Later elephants were used to drag the corpses of the mutineers out of the Sikandar Bagh,[13][14] where they were slightly covered over in a ditch which they themselves had recently dug outside the north wall in order to strengthen the defences.

Attired in male battle dress, she had perched herself atop a tree in the garden, gun in hand, and kept the British attackers at bay until her ammunition was exhausted, upon which she dropped dead to the ground, her body riddled with bullets.