The stirring story of the “cipays”: Italian narrative responses to the Indian Rebellion of 1857

The Revolt of 1857 in India has been seen primarily as an event that had repercussions in Britain and the Indian subcontinent. Little attention has been paid to its impact in other parts of the world. This path-breaking volume offers an insight into how the Revolt was viewed in non-English speaking Europe, where it was followed with keen interest. While liberals and conservatives defended or criticised British policies, emerging nationalist movements felt compelled to position themselves vis-à-vis this tumultuous event in distant Asia. Arguing about whether it was a mere 'mutiny' or a nationalist 'revolt', whether it was justified or an execrable outburst of a barbaric people, they all saw the Revolt as a threat to Britain's future and dominance not only in India but also in Europe. The Revolt continued to engage the interest of European readers long after its suppression, appearing in various kinds of writings. This volume introduces this significant and till now neglected strand of Europe's encounter with India, including the extensive coverage of the Revolt in newspapers and journals in several European languages (French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Hungarian, Czech and Bulgarian), as well as its numerous fictional representations. The book will interest scholars of history, literature, cultural studies, European studies and postcolonial studies, as well as the general reader.