A Gurkha Story - The Siege of Delhi 1857

[Chantry]

The Sirmoor Battalion (which became the 2nd King Edward VII's Own Gurkha Rifles) was 9 British officers and 490 Gurkhas that took part in the Siege of Delhi during the Indian Mutiny of 1857.  The Sirmoor Battalion was assigned an important position nearest to the walls of Delhi and the mutineers.  For 3 1/2 months during the summer they, along with the British 60th Rifles battalion repulsed 26 attacks.  During this time the mutineers tried to convince the Gurkhas to leave the British and join them.  During one instance, the Gurkhas agreed, said here we come, closed to within 20 paces of the mutineers, gave them a volley from their muskets and then closed with bayonet and kukri.

 

When the siege was finally over, 8 of the 9 British officers had been killed or wounded and 327 of the 490 Gurkhas had been killed or wounded.

[Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984]

And how many mutineers?

[Chantry]

6 minutes ago, Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984 said:

And how many mutineers?

 

For the Siege of Delhi overall losses on the British side were 1,254 killed and 4,493 wounded.  On the mutineer's side the estimated losses were about 5000 killed or wounded.