Book - Vellore Revolt - 1806 by K A Manikumar Allied Publishers, Chennai (2007) 124 pages Rs 300 Reviewed in Frontline, Oct. 20-Nov. 02, 2007 http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2421/stories/20071102504307700.htm K.A. Manikumar's book, Vellore Revolt 1806, has met the long-felt need for a historical account of the revolt of sepoys in the fortress town of Vellore in South India, an uprising which anticipated the 1857 revolt by half a century. A brief description of the expansion of British power in South India, the nature of the Madras army, life at the Vellore fort and the New Regulations of the Army introduced by the Commander -in-Chief, John Cradock, provides readers with the context of the revolt. Then follows a vivid picture of the uprising, starting from the first incident on May 6, 1806, to the attack on and the capture of the British barrack around 3 a.m. on July 10, 1806. Colonel Gillespie, Commander of the cavalry cantonment in Arcot, who arrived with reinforcements at 9 a.m.,reportedly restored the Vellore fort to British control after an action lasting for about 15 minutes. Making a judicious use of the archival records of the Secret and Military Departments of the Government of Madras and the reports of incidents given by British as well as native officers at different levels, Manikumar weaves the narrative of the revolt, letting the events unfold through eye-witness accounts. [snip] --- Harshawardhan_Bosham Nimkhedkar Nagpur, India