Welcome to our special Independence Day episode at ILF Radio! Today, in the spirit of commemorating our 77th year of independence, we journey back to the landmark Revolt of 1857, back to the first seeds of revolution that eventually propagated our fight for freedom. In this two-part episode, we bring to you a detailed account of the status of India under company rule, the facts and rumours that sparked one of the most significant resistance movements in South Asian history. We are delighted to welcome back passionate historian and friend of the Podcast, Akash Chattopadhyaya, who takes us through a very thorough and nuanced exploration of events from Barrackpore to Delhi. In the first part of the episode we touch upon the status quo in the subcontinent around 1857 and are introduced to the Sepoys of the Bengal Presidency who spearheaded the revolt, its beginnings at Barrackpore and the events during the Siege of Delhi. Do tune in with us tomorrow, the 16th of August 2024 to catch Part-2 and the conclusion of the revolt. Links to key heritage sites from today’s episode: - Map of the Revolt: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5c/Indian_Rebellion_of_1857.jpg - North 24 Parganas district in Barrackpore, West Bengal where the Revolt started. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:36_Middle_Road_-_Barrackpore_Cantonment_-_North_24_Parganas_2012-10-21_1028.JPG - Kashmir Gate C.1857 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1857_cashmeri_gate_delhi.jpg - Kashmir Gate today https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kashmiri_Gate%28_front_view%29.JPG - Skinner Church, Delhi https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._James%27_Church,_Delhi#/media/File:St._James_Church_9.jpg https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Massacre_of_officers_by_insurgent_cavalry_at_Delhi,.jpg - Kabuli Gate or Khooni darwaza https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Khooni_darwaza.jpg - Delhi before the Seige https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8c/Delhi_1857.jpg Follow India Lost and Found on Instagram @indialostandfound, X (formerly Twitter) @IndiaLostFound, and Facebook @IndiaLostFound for more captivating stories of heritage sites. Let's ensure that the essence of our civilizational history is preserved for generations to come. You can also visit our website at https://www.indialostandfound.com/ to explore additional content and join our mission to uncover India's lost treasures.