In 2007, to mark the 150th Anniversary of the Indian Mutiny, Saul led the following tours to India:

11-23 February: Pettitt’s Indian Mutiny Tour

The Indian Mutiny was the bloodiest insurrection in the history of the British Empire. It began in May 1857 with a large-scale rising by native troops of the Bengal Army, and soon developed into a general rebellion as thousands of discontented civilians joined in. For a time the very fate of British India hung in the balance. But the arrival of a steady stream of reinforcements finally tipped the balance the British way. The key events include the epic siege and subsequent relief of Lucknow, the Cawnpore massacres and the storming of Delhi, the centre of rebel power.

The tour covered the three main centres of rebel resistance – Delhi, Lucknow and Kanpur (Cawnpore) – as well as Mirath (Meerut) where the mutiny began, Agra where the British were besieged in the fort for three months, Gwalior where the last major battle was fought, and Jhansi, the home of the celebrated Rani (the ‘Indian Joan of Arc’) who died in battle and is still revered in India today. For further details see Pettitts’ website: www.pettitts.co.uk

7-17 November: Bolt & Butcher Indian Mutiny Tour

The second tour took place in November to coincide with the 150th Anniversary of the Relief of Lucknow. The climax was a visit to the Lucknow Residency on 17th November 2007—the actual anniversary of Sir Colin Campbell’s relief of the siege. En route to Lucknow we visited the other two main centres of rebel resistance – Delhi and Kanpur (Cawnpore). Other sites visited were Meerut where the mutiny began, Agra where the British were besieged in the fort for three months, Gwalior where the last major battle was fought, and Jhansi, the home of the celebrated Rani (the ‘Indian Joan of Arc’).

Tragically, just a few weeks after the end of the tour, the organizer Richard Hogg died of a heart attack. He had become a good friend and will be sadly missed.