The Defence of the Magazine at Delhi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Defence of the Magazine at Delhi
Part of Indian Rebellion of 1857
Date 11 May 1857 Location Delhi, British India Result British relief and withdrawal
Belligerents
East India Company	Oudh

The Defence of the Magazine at Delhi was an important event during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. It happened on May 11, 1857, in the city of Delhi. A small group of British officers and soldiers bravely defended a large storage area for weapons and ammunition, called a magazine, against many rebels.

What Happened at the Delhi Magazine?

The Indian Rebellion of 1857 started in a town called Meerut in early May 1857. Rebels, who were upset with British rule, marched towards Delhi. They arrived on May 10, hoping to capture the huge magazine. This magazine held many weapons and supplies for the army.

On May 11, nine brave Europeans decided to defend the magazine. These included Deputy Assistant Commissary John Buckley, Lieutenants Forrest, Willoughby, and Raynor, and Conductors Shaw and Scully. They were part of the Bengal Ordnance Department. They fought for over five hours against thousands of rebels.

Preparing the Defence

After the rebels attacked the nearby palace, the magazine's gates were quickly closed and blocked. Inside, the defenders placed cannons loaded with special ammunition. A large cannon, a 24-pounder Howitzer, was set up by Buckley. It could be aimed at any part of the magazine.

The local soldiers inside the magazine were given weapons. However, it soon became clear they were also joining the rebellion. They refused to follow orders from the Europeans.

The Brave Plan

The nine Europeans knew they were greatly outnumbered. They decided to defend the magazine for as long as possible. They hoped that help would arrive from Meerut. If help did not come, they planned to blow up the magazine. This would stop the rebels from getting the huge amount of weapons and ammunition.

Buckley and Scully prepared a trail of gunpowder. This trail would be lit to cause a massive explosion. The signal to light it was simple: Lieutenant Willoughby would order Buckley to raise his hat. Scully would then light the fuse, but only after the last cannon shot was fired.

The Final Moments

The rebels began to climb over the walls using ladders. The local soldiers inside the magazine quickly left. They climbed over the roofs and down the ladders to join the rebels outside. Soon, many rebels were on top of the walls. The defenders fired their cannons at them, but it was clear they could not hold out much longer.

Seeing that there was no hope left, Buckley and his comrades made a difficult choice. They decided to blow up the magazine. This meant they would also be caught in the explosion. Their goal was to prevent the rebels from getting the weapons. Lieutenant Willoughby, who was badly hurt, gave the order. Buckley raised his hat as the signal. Conductor Scully then lit the fuse.

The explosion was enormous. It was the biggest explosion known at that time. People heard it 40 miles away in Meerut. The magazine was completely destroyed. About a thousand rebels were killed in the blast.

What Happened Next?

Conductors Shaw and Scully, Sub-Conductor Crow, and Sergeants Edwards and Stewart all died in the explosion. Lieutenant Raynor was guided to safety by a friendly local. Sadly, rebels killed Lieutenant Willoughby two days later while he was trying to reach Meerut. Lieutenant Forrest, who was also injured, managed to reach Meerut after a difficult journey.

Buckley was severely wounded and covered in gunpowder. The force of the blast threw him over the walls and into the Jumna River. He was shot in the elbow while in the water. Exhausted and hurt, he collapsed on the far bank and was captured.

Buckley learned that his wife and three children had tragically lost their lives in the city. He was heartbroken and wanted to die. He tried to make his captors kill him. However, the rebel leaders were so impressed by the bravery of the magazine's defenders that they refused to harm such a courageous man. After several weeks, Buckley managed to escape. He safely reached the British lines.