3080) Did You Know Series (88): 1) La Martiniere College, Lucknow 2) The Siege of Lucknow/Defense of Lucknow Residency: The only College in the world to have been awarded Battle Honours for its role in the defence of the College and the Lucknow Residency during the First War of Indian Independence fought in 1857: 4) The Martiniere Post Monthly Gazette of the College:
1) La Martiniere College, Lucknow is the only school/college in the world to have been awarded a British Battle Honours for its role in the defence of the Lucknow Residency during the First War of Indian Independence fought in 1857.
The College building was built by Major General Claude Martin and completed after he passed away in 1800. It is called - "Constantia" after Martin's first love in France - Constance" was completed after Martin passed away in 1800. The College building has several defensive ramparts, which the architects of several other buildings in Lucknow copied in their designs.
The College began functioning on 12.11.1845 on what is known as "Constantia Day".
About 70 students were admitted to the College. Presently, the College has over 4000 students being taught in classes ranging from Nursery to ISC level (Cass 12). Owing to the Founder of the Martiniere Institutions/Martin's charitable nature, several students called "Foundationers" are provided tuition, clothing, board and lodging at nominal fees. All scholars share equally n the benefits of the College without preference in respect of religion or economic status.
2) The siege of Lucknow/Defence of Lucknow Residency:
By the time of the First War of Indian Independence began in March 1857, and as hostilities began, the College had about 268 students, apart from the Principal George Schilling and staff members.
On May 10, Commissioner Henry Lawrence garrisoned the Residency and stationed troops at other European locations, La Martiniere being among them.
On 30th May 1857, hostilities broke out in the city of Lucknow as Indian soldiers targetted British officers and set fire to their bungalows. In the chaos, many civilians fled to the centre of the city. They took refuge in and around the British Residency.
At this time, the number of students attending La Martiniere was reduced to those living on the premises and a few Christian Day Scholars, numbering about 100 in all. Of the 69 Christian Foundationers, 8 were allowed to go to their parents living in Lucknow of whom three were killed and one died during the siege of Lucknow.
The remaining 61 Christian Foundationers with four boarders were evacuated into the Lucknow Residency.
The maulvis and pandits attached to the College were given leave of absence for 3 months from June 20th on half pay but did not later rejoin their duties. An Indian doctor on the establishment left at the first opportunity and the servants deserted on 30th June when the siege began.
Immediately on receipt of the news of the outbreak of war at Meerut and Delhi, the College establishment was moved into the main building of Constantia House.
The Principal George Schilling had taken measures to fortify the College buildings and gather provisions, with the intent of defending La Martiniere.
The bigger boys armed and sentries from among them were stationed on the top of the building during the day.
A few skirmishes broke out between the Freedom Fighters and the College Boys with musket fire by end of May which resulted in no losses on either side.
Lucknow was not the first city to rise up against the British which gave the British forces time to prepare for an attack.
Henry Lawrence, the local Chief Commissioner, had stocked the Residency with supplies. He also set up defences around the Residency and its surrounding buildings. This protection consisted of military camps, fortified buildings, four large battery guns and a network of land mines.
In all, 855 British soldiers, 712 Indian soldiers, and 153 volunteers were defending 1,280 civilians. Outside Lucknow, a force of almost 8,000 gathered to besiege the city.
During the siege of Lucknow in 1857, La Martiniere College principal led 67 boys, six masters and the estate superintendent into the residency to guard it against the Freedom Fighters.
On June 13th Lawrence ordered all Europeans in Lucknow to move to the Residency.
On that day itself, an evacuation of the College was carried out. Although the College was well fortified, Schilling complied with the decision to relocate to the Residency which was deemed necessary for the safety of all involved.
Schilling and his unit moved to a Banker's House that came to be called the "Martiniere Post".
At the Residency, during the harrowing siege by Indian soldiers, the students of La Martiniere were entrusted with crucial duties ranging from military, medical and supplying food, provisions and ammunitions to the embattled British posts.
Six students were identified as capable of handling arms were assigned the duty of soldiers. They bravely took turns standing guard and defended their position whenever it came under attack.
Against formidable odds, the students of La Martiniere valiantly defended a highly vulnerable section of the Southern perimeter of the Residency. Enduring relentless assaults from both infantry and artillery, they also faced the threat of minefields being laid around the Residency.
With steadfast determination, they successfully guarded "The Martiniere Post" for an impressive period of five months.
During the siege, the boys of La Martiniere aged between 6 and 16 held the Martiniere Post against tremendous odds.
The Freedom Fighters had occupied the surrounding buildings and were constantly pounding the Residency with cannon balls and bullets. They had also mined the grounds.
The boys returned the fire and all except one boy survived the siege who died of dysentery because of poor food conditions.
For the school's gallant role in the events of 1857, Britain in 1933, awarded battle honour and a flag with the inscription - "Defence of Lucknow".
After independence, the College looks upon the honour with some ambivalence.
While generations of Martinians are extremely proud of their "colonial martial heritage" just like military regiments, the College has rolled up the Flag and battle honour and put them in a safe.
The Flag was last paraded ceremoniously in 1944 during the days of the British Raj and last put up on display in 1947.
Successive College principals when questioned about why the Battle honour is not displayed on important occasions, mention that they do not know how the present Indian government will take it.
The post where the La Martiniere Boys fought is now known as the "Martiniere Post":
The Martiniere Post plaque at the Lucknow Residency states inter alia:
"During the siege of 1857, it was guarded by a party of 32nd Regiment, teachers and 50 students of La Martiniere School under the command of George Schilling, the Principal of the School. The building suffered heavy damage by a mine sprung by the Freedom Fighters on August 10, 1857."
The contributions of Martiniere during the siege of Lucknow Residency was acknowledged in Queen Victoria's Proclamation of 1858.
In recognition of their exceptional bravery and unwavering dedication both the staff and the boys who served during this period were given a medal which bore the inscription - "Defense of Lucknow".
In 1938, La Martiniere College, Lucknow was granted a special privilege - the right to bear a British Army regimental-style colours (or flag) as distinguished from College's unique Coat of Arms.
This prestigious honour allowed the College to showcase its connection to the historic events of the past.
Consequently, La Martiniere College Lucknow has had the distinction of being the only educational institution in the world to receive a coveted British Battle Honour.
4) The College Bulletin which is brought out every month containg latest campus news of campus activities is called the "Martiniere Post", which connects all Martinians past and present to the historic events of 1857.
I was appointed to the editorial board of the Martiniere Post for two years - 1973-74 and contrbuted several posts and jokes for the monthly bulletin.
The Lucknow Residency by night:
A few decades ago my friend Ravi Kapoor, a well-known photographer of Lucknow had presented a photo essay of the Residency by night. The battle scarred building still reminds us of the ferocious battles that took place here during the siege of Lucknow Residency in 1857.
I have a laminated wood portrait in my collection showing where the first cannon ball fell on a Lucknow Residency building.
Gold and Silver Hoards on La Martiniere College, Lucknow Campus?
Before leaving the College grounds Gold and Silver coins kept in the College Treasury were buried at locations known to a few persons only, for fear that they may be looted by the adversaries. I read about this in an old College magazine, when I was studying in Mart from 1970 to 1975.
Although most of these "hoards" were recovered by Schilling and his staff, nevertheless, during the renovation of the College building a few years ago a silver coin hoard was dug up and placed in the College Museum by Carlyle. I still feel that there are some hoards waiting to be found on the La Martiniere, Lucknow campus.
After the floods of 1971, when I was walking along the Bund on the Martiniere Lake and picked up an 1835 Copper coin which forms an integral part of my coin collection. I love to speculate that it may have belonged to a College student from Martiniere's past.
Vikram Bhatnagar has commented:
ReplyDelete"A wonderful memoire to a great institution held in high esteem by Lucknowites! I'm from Christ Church College, whose students were considered younger siblings of Lamarts and, enjoyed the privilege of hosting our annual day at Lamarts' grounds!"
Thank you for the wonderful comment, Vikram. Of late many news items were coming talking about the only school which won a battle honour all over the world. I had done a major part of the research for an article on the College bulletin, "The Martiniere Post " when I was in College. Thought of penning this post for posterity.
DeleteRajan Trikha has commented:
ReplyDelete"Precious memories 👍"
Thank you so much. I had done an article for the "Martiniere Post" Bulletin during my days at College. The British Battle Honours for the school is much in recent news these days. Prompted me to write this post again.
DeleteGuy Goves has commented:
ReplyDelete"Very informative and interesting."
Thank you so much, Guy.
DeleteAshutosh Mishra has commented:
ReplyDelete"712 Indian soldiers were fighting against their own countrymen and freedom fighters."
It is very unfortunate, but it is recorded history. The battle honour flag was locked up after India gained independence and never displayed again. When I was in College, I tried to persuade a senior master to let me see the flag at least, but it is locked up permanently. At Lucknow Residency a memorial museum dedicated to the freedom fighters has been set up too.
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