William Raikes Hodson remains one of the most polarizing figures of British colonial history. While Victorian England lionized him as a dashing "soldier’s soldier," modern historiography views him as a symbol of the unchecked brutality that characterized the suppression of the 1857 Indian Rebellion. As the leader of the irregular cavalry unit known as "Hodson’s Horse," his tactical brilliance was consistently overshadowed by a penchant for summary execution and a total disregard for the conventions of war.
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| Gen.Henry Havelock en.wikipedia.org |
The most notorious chapter of Hodson’s career occurred in September 1857, following the fall of Delhi. Having captured the aging Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar at Humayun’s Tomb, Hodson returned the next day to seize the Emperor’s sons, Mirza Mughal and Mirza Abu Bakr, and his grandson, Mirza Khizr Sultan. Despite promising the princes their lives upon surrender, Hodson’s actions at a gate now known as Khooni Darwaza (the Bloody Gate) became a defining moment of colonial butchery.
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| Killing of Last Mogul Princes Khooni Darwaza , Delhi wikiwand.com |
Surrounded by a restless crowd, Hodson ordered the princes to strip to their undergarments and, claiming he feared a rescue attempt, shot all three point-blank with a carbine. To further the humiliation, their bodies were displayed publicly at Chandni Chowk, the same spot where Sikh Guru Tegh Bahadur had been executed by the Mughals centuries earlier—a calculated move of psychological and racial warfare. Queen Victoria honored him posthumously by granting his widow a grace-and-favour apartment at Hampton Court Palace "in consideration of the distinguished service of your late husband in India".
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| Hampton Court Palace historiamag.com |
Hodson’s killing spree was not limited to royalty; his tenure was marked by accusations of looting and the execution of prisoners without trial. Even his contemporaries were divided; while many in the British press praised his bravery, fellow officers were often repulsed by his "bloodthirsty" nature and financial irregularities. The sheer scale of the British retribution in 1857 was staggering: Roughly 6000 British were killed.In retaliation the British killed roughly 8000000 civilians and combatants' in 1857 rebellion against the British misrule.
Though Hodson was killed during the siege of Lucknow in 1858, Hodson’s legacy was long preserved through memorials. However, in the 21st century, figures like Hodson and General Henry Havelock are being re-evaluated. The movement to remove colonial vestiges reflects a global shift toward decolonizing history. For many, Hodson is no longer a hero of the Empire, but a reminder of the systemic violence inherent in colonial rule.
Sir Mark Havelock Allan, descendant of the notorious Sir Henry Havelock and inheritor of the title ‘Baronet of Lucknow’ conferred on Havelock posthumously after the Siege of Lucknow, said, the Raj had been a “good thing” and claimed that India’s stable democratic system was attributable to the British Raj! The statement by him was quite hilarious!
I have often been ashamed [that] the names of empire still pervade our streets,” adding that “names like Havelock belong in books, classrooms and museums, not on the streets to be celebrated”.said Virendra Sharma, a member of parliament in Southall during the campaign in 1980s.
Hodson’s Legacy:
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| Gen. Havelock memorial, Trafalgar Sq. flickr.com |
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| Gen. Havelock, England. upload.wikimedia.org |
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| Gen.Henry Havelock, Trafalgar sq. suzassippi.wordpress.com |
Above images: General Sir Henry Havelock occupies a spot in Trafalgar Square, just in front of King George IV ..The plaque on the plinth reads: ''To Major General Sir Henry Havelock KCB and his brave companions in arms during the campaign in India 1857. "Soldiers! Your labours, your privations, your sufferings and your valour, will not be forgotten by a grateful country."...........
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| Gen. Havelock upload.wikimedia.org |
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| Lucknow Havelock tomb,Lucknow upload.wikimedia.org |
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| Gen. Havelock Inn, East Sleekburn .flickr.com |
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| Havelock, a suburb of Lincoln, Nebraska,USA ournalstar.com |
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