November 16th: Today in 1857 an assault on the Secundrabagh during the Second Relief of Lucknow resulted in the most Victoria Crosses ever issued in one day, Twenty-four. The battle took place during a particularly violent rebellion by Indian Sepoy troops against the British that the British responded to just as savagely. The fighting was fierce as both side killed their prisoners so surrender wasn’t an option. Some point to the this war as the one that turned the English from ‘benevolent colonialism’ to a much harsher form and even today the differing opinions on the rebellion between British and Indian works is striking.

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