Lucknow seiged in 1857 mutiny.

           A relaxed half-day site seeing in this historic city. Not really on the tourist route, but famous amongst history buffs for being at the centre of the 1857 Indian Mutiny, when Indian rebels turned on the colonial power and laid siege to the Lucknow administrative & military compound, killing all the defenders and loyal native soldiers.  The flashpoint of the rebellion was the introduction of theEnfield rifle the cartridges for this weapon were believed to be greased with a mixture of beef and pork fat, which was felt would defile both Hindu and Muslim Indian soldiers. On 1 May, the7th Oudh Irregular Infantry refused to bite the cartridge and on 3 May they were disarmed by other regiments.

            Known as ‘The Residency’, the site of the siege is now a beautiful park, including the gravestones of some of those killed.

           Item: Indians, I am told are very quick to categorise people, groups, situations, events etc. Others belong to particular castes, of a specific religion, of a certain economic status/ profession etc. People in the street are quite likely to stop a foreigner, and this foreigner has been stopped numerous times, to enquire as to name,  age, country, how much I earn(!!), how many sons I have …….

All in a very friendly manner and apparently quite normal for them to want to know.

With this knowledge they can therefore categorise and slot the subject into a specific social position that forms the basis of a good relationship.