The Skull of Alum Bheg - Revision history

TajWagstaff: enhanced structure for clarity and cleaned formatting

2023-11-27T13:27:35Z

enhanced structure for clarity and cleaned formatting

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:57, 27 November 2023
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			{{Short description\|Historical fiction novel}}
	{{Infobox book		{{Infobox book
	\| italic title = <!--(see above)-->		\| italic title = <!--(see above)-->
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	'''''The Skull of Alum Bheg: The Life and Death of a Rebel of 1857''''', is a book by [[Kim A. Wagner]], a lecturer on colonial India and the British Empire. It was published in 2017 by [[C. Hurst & Co.]], and is based on the life of Havildar Alum Bheg, a [[sepoy]] of the [[46th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry\|46th Regiment]] of the [[Bengal Native Infantry]], who following the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]] and being said to have killed a British missionary family in Punjab, was executed by the British by being [[blowing from a gun\|blown from a cannon]].		'''''The Skull of Alum Bheg: The Life and Death of a Rebel of 1857''''', is a book by [[Kim A. Wagner]], a lecturer on colonial India and the British Empire. It was published in 2017 by [[C. Hurst & Co.]], and is based on the life of Havildar Alum Bheg, a [[sepoy]] of the [[46th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry\|46th Regiment]] of the [[Bengal Native Infantry]], who following the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]] and being said to have killed a British missionary family in Punjab, was executed by the British by being [[blowing from a gun\|blown from a cannon]].

	His skull was taken to ~~England as a trophy and was~~ discovered in the Lord Clyde pub in [[Walmer]], [[Kent]], in 1963. It remained there until it was given to Wagner in 2014, by the pub's owners. The [[Natural History Museum, London\|Natural History Museum]] confirmed its likely authenticity and Wagner, with little evidence to go on, traced Bheg's history using various sources including letters written by the relatives and friends of Bheg's alleged victims.		His skull was subsequently taken to Ireland before being discovered in the Lord Clyde pub in [[Walmer]], [[Kent]], in 1963. It remained there until it was given to Wagner in 2014 by the pub's owners. The [[Natural History Museum, London\|Natural History Museum]] confirmed its likely authenticity and Wagner, with little evidence to go on, traced Bheg's history using various sources including letters written by the relatives and friends of Bheg's alleged victims.

	==Publication==		==Publication==
	''The Skull of Alum Bheg'' was authored by [[Kim A. Wagner]] and published in 2017 by [[C. Hurst & Co.]] It has 256 pages and is available in hardback and paperback.<ref name=Hurst>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.hurstpublishers.com/book/skull-alum-bheg/\|title=The Skull of Alum Bheg {{!}} Hurst Publishers\|last=\|first=\|date=\|website=HURST\|language=en-GB~~\|url-status=live~~\|archive-url=\|archive-date=\|access-date=25 December 2019}}</ref><ref name="Newsinger2019">{{Cite journal\|last=Newsinger\|first=John\|date=1 July 2019\|title=The Skull of Alum Bheg: the life and death of a rebel of 1857 by Kim A. Wagner\|journal=Race & Class\|language=en\|volume=61\|issue=1\|pages=110–111\|doi=10.1177/0306396818801216\|issn=0306-3968}}{{subscription required}}</ref> The book contains a prologue, introduction, eleven chapters and an epilogue.<ref name="Bender2019">{{Cite journal\|last=Bender\|first=Jill C.\|date=January 2019\|title=Kim A. Wagner. The Skull of Alum Bheg: The Life and Death of a Rebel of 1857\|journal=[[Journal of British Studies]]\|language=en\|volume=58\|issue=1\|pages=253–254\|doi=10.1017/jbr.2018.232\|issn=0021-9371}}</ref>		''The Skull of Alum Bheg'' was authored by [[Kim A. Wagner]] and published in 2017 by [[C. Hurst & Co.]] It has 256 pages and is available in hardback and paperback.<ref name=Hurst>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.hurstpublishers.com/book/skull-alum-bheg/\|title=The Skull of Alum Bheg {{!}} Hurst Publishers\|last=\|first=\|date=\|website=HURST\|language=en-GB\|archive-url=\|archive-date=\|access-date=25 December 2019}}</ref><ref name="Newsinger2019">{{Cite journal\|last=Newsinger\|first=John\|date=1 July 2019\|title=The Skull of Alum Bheg: the life and death of a rebel of 1857 by Kim A. Wagner\|journal=Race & Class\|language=en\|volume=61\|issue=1\|pages=110–111\|doi=10.1177/0306396818801216\|issn=0306-3968}}{{subscription required}}</ref> The book contains a prologue, introduction, eleven chapters and an epilogue.<ref name="Bender2019">{{Cite journal\|last=Bender\|first=Jill C.\|date=January 2019\|title=Kim A. Wagner. The Skull of Alum Bheg: The Life and Death of a Rebel of 1857\|journal=[[Journal of British Studies]]\|language=en\|volume=58\|issue=1\|pages=253–254\|doi=10.1017/jbr.2018.232\|issn=0021-9371}}</ref>

	==Summary==		==Summary==
	Wagner traces the story of [[Havildar]] Alum Bheg, also called Alim Beg, a [[sepoy]] of the [[46th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry]], who following the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]] and being said to have killed the Britons, surgeon James Graham, missionary Thomas Hunter and Hunter's wife and daughters in Punjab, was executed by the British by being [[blowing from a gun\|blown from a cannon]].<ref name="Roy2018">{{Cite web\|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/leisure/story/20180319-the-massacre-at-cawnpore-kim-wagner-skull-of-alum-bheg-1185615-2018-03-09\|title=Alas, poor Alum\|last=Roy\|first=Anita\|date=19 March 2018\|website=[[India Today]]\|language=en~~\|url-status=live~~\|access-date=25 December 2019}}</ref><ref name="Doherty">{{Cite web\|url=http://socialistreview.org.uk/432/skull-alum-bheg\|title=The Skull of Alum Bheg\|last=Doherty\|first=Shaun\|date=February 2018\|website=Socialist Review\|language=en~~\|url-status=live~~\|archive-url=\|archive-date=\|access-date=29 December 2019}}</ref> His skull was then taken to ~~England as~~ a ~~trophy~~, ~~by a man~~ who ~~witnessed~~ his execution. In 1963, the skull was found in the Lord Clyde pub in [[Walmer]], [[Kent]] and remained there until it was given to Wagner in 2014, by the pub's owners.<ref name="Bender2019"/><ref name=Llewellyn-Jones2018>{{Cite journal\|last=Llewellyn-Jones\|first=Rosie\|date=3 July 2018\|title=Kim A. Wagner. The Skull of Alum Bheg: The Life and Death of a Rebel of 1857\|journal=Asian Affairs\|volume=49\|issue=3\|pages=538–540\|doi=10.1080/03068374.2018.1487717\|issn=0306-8374}}</ref><ref name=Dover>[http://www.dover-kent.com/lord-clyde-walmer.html Lord Clyde], Dover Kent Archives, 25 July 2019. Retrieved 22 December 2019.</ref> By the time Wagner received it, the lower jaw and most of the teeth were missing.<ref name="Biswas2018">{{Cite news\|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-43616597\|title=The Indian mutineer's skull found in a UK pub\|last=Biswas\|first=Soutik\|date=5 April 2018\|work=[[BBC News]]\|access-date=22 December 2019\|language=en-GB}}</ref> A note was found in the eye socket of the skull:		Wagner traces the story of [[Havildar]] Alum Bheg, also called Alim Beg, a [[sepoy]] of the [[46th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry]], who following the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]] and being said to have killed the Britons, surgeon James Graham, missionary Thomas Hunter and Hunter's wife and daughters in Punjab, was executed by the British by being [[blowing from a gun\|blown from a cannon]].<ref name="Roy2018">{{Cite web\|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/leisure/story/20180319-the-massacre-at-cawnpore-kim-wagner-skull-of-alum-bheg-1185615-2018-03-09\|title=Alas, poor Alum\|last=Roy\|first=Anita\|date=19 March 2018\|website=[[India Today]]\|language=en\|access-date=25 December 2019}}</ref><ref name="Doherty">{{Cite web\|url=http://socialistreview.org.uk/432/skull-alum-bheg\|title=The Skull of Alum Bheg\|last=Doherty\|first=Shaun\|date=February 2018\|website=Socialist Review\|language=en\|archive-url=\|archive-date=\|access-date=29 December 2019}}</ref> His skull was then taken to Ireland by a Captain Costello, who was on duty during his execution. In 1963, the skull was found in the Lord Clyde pub in [[Walmer]], [[Kent]] and remained there until it was given to Wagner in 2014, by the pub's owners.<ref name="Bender2019"/><ref name=Llewellyn-Jones2018>{{Cite journal\|last=Llewellyn-Jones\|first=Rosie\|date=3 July 2018\|title=Kim A. Wagner. The Skull of Alum Bheg: The Life and Death of a Rebel of 1857\|journal=Asian Affairs\|volume=49\|issue=3\|pages=538–540\|doi=10.1080/03068374.2018.1487717\|issn=0306-8374}}</ref><ref name=Dover>[http://www.dover-kent.com/lord-clyde-walmer.html Lord Clyde], Dover Kent Archives, 25 July 2019. Retrieved 22 December 2019.</ref> By the time Wagner received it, the lower jaw and most of the teeth were missing.<ref name="Biswas2018">{{Cite news\|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-43616597\|title=The Indian mutineer's skull found in a UK pub\|last=Biswas\|first=Soutik\|date=5 April 2018\|work=[[BBC News]]\|access-date=22 December 2019\|language=en-GB}}</ref> A note was found in the eye socket of the skull:
	<blockquote>Skull of Havildar "Alum Bheg," 46th Regt. Bengal N. Infantry who was blown away from a gun, amongst several others of his Regt. He was a principal leader in the mutiny of 1857 & of a most ruffianly disposition. He took possession (at the head of a small party) of the road leading to the fort, to which place all the Europeans were hurrying for safety. His party surprised and killed Dr. Graham shooting him in his buggy by the side of his daughter. His next victim was the Rev. Mr. Hunter, a missionary, who was flying with his wife and daughters in the same direction. He murdered Mr Hunter, and his wife and daughters after being brutally treated were butchered by the road side. Alum Bheg was about 32 years of age; 5 feet 7 ½ inches high and by no means an ill looking native. The skull was brought home by Captain (AR) Costello (late Capt. [[7th Dragoon Guards\|7th Drag. Guards]]), who was on duty when Alum Bheg was executed.<ref name="Biswas2018"/></blockquote>		<blockquote>Skull of Havildar "Alum Bheg," 46th Regt. Bengal N. Infantry who was blown away from a gun, amongst several others of his Regt. He was a principal leader in the mutiny of 1857 & of a most ruffianly disposition. He took possession (at the head of a small party) of the road leading to the fort, to which place all the Europeans were hurrying for safety. His party surprised and killed Dr. Graham shooting him in his buggy by the side of his daughter. His next victim was the Rev. Mr. Hunter, a missionary, who was flying with his wife and daughters in the same direction. He murdered Mr Hunter, and his wife and daughters after being brutally treated were butchered by the road side. Alum Bheg was about 32 years of age; 5 feet 7 ½ inches high and by no means an ill looking native. The skull was brought home by Captain (AR) Costello (late Capt. [[7th Dragoon Guards\|7th Drag. Guards]]), who was on duty when Alum Bheg was executed.<ref name="Biswas2018"/></blockquote>

	The pub's owners had felt uneasy keeping the skull and sought the expertise of Wagner after hearing about his research on the British Empire. Wagner later reported "and so it was I found myself standing in a small train station in Essex with a human skull in my bag. Not just any other skull but one directly related to a part of history that I write about and that I teach my students every year".<ref name="Biswas2018"/> The [[Natural History Museum, London\|Natural History Museum]] confirmed its likely authenticity and Wagner, with little evidence to go by, traced Bheg's history using letters written by the relatives and friends of Bheg's alleged victims.<ref name="Biswas2018"/>		The pub's owners had felt uneasy keeping the skull and sought the expertise of Wagner after hearing about his research on the British Empire. Wagner later reported "and so it was I found myself standing in a small train station in Essex with a human skull in my bag. Not just any other skull but one directly related to a part of history that I write about and that I teach my students every year".<ref name="Biswas2018"/> The [[Natural History Museum, London\|Natural History Museum]] confirmed its likely authenticity and Wagner, with little evidence to go by, traced Bheg's history using letters written by the relatives and friends of Bheg's alleged victims.<ref name="Biswas2018"/>

	Wagner confirmed that Alum Bheg was present at the rebellion at [[Sialkot]], [[British India]], in July 1857, an event about which little has been written.<ref name="Bender2019"/> The absence of Alum Bheg from historical records led Wagner to narrate an account of thousands of Indian soldiers like Bheg, who revolted in 1857.<ref name="Mukherjee2018">{{Cite web\|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/culture/books/between-physical-presence-and-archival-absence/cid/1668307\|title=The Skull of Alum Bheg\|last=Mukherjee\|first=Sujaan\|date=14 September 2018\|website=www.telegraphindia.com\|language=en~~\|url-status=live~~\|archive-url=\|archive-date=\|access-date=29 December 2019}}</ref> However, he says "truth is that the outbreak at Sialkot was a highly contingent and confused event, and one that in many ways differed from places [such as] Meerut, Delhi and elsewhere. At Sialkot there was … no lynching of isolated sahibs, no sexual attack on memsahibs and no mutilation of their corpses. Though many opportunities presented [themselves], sepoys did not take part in any such thing".<ref name="Mehdi2018">{{Cite web\|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1404435\|title=Non-fiction: Reconstructing a 'Mutiny'\|last=Mehdi\|first=Mohammed Qasim\|date=29 April 2018\|website=DAWN.COM\|language=en\|access-date=2020-01-01}}</ref>		Wagner confirmed that Alum Bheg was present at the rebellion at [[Sialkot]], [[British India]], in July 1857, an event about which little has been written.<ref name="Bender2019"/> The absence of Alum Bheg from historical records led Wagner to narrate an account of thousands of Indian soldiers like Bheg, who revolted in 1857.<ref name="Mukherjee2018">{{Cite web\|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/culture/books/between-physical-presence-and-archival-absence/cid/1668307\|title=The Skull of Alum Bheg\|last=Mukherjee\|first=Sujaan\|date=14 September 2018\|website=www.telegraphindia.com\|language=en\|archive-url=\|archive-date=\|access-date=29 December 2019}}</ref> However, he says "truth is that the outbreak at Sialkot was a highly contingent and confused event, and one that in many ways differed from places [such as] Meerut, Delhi and elsewhere. At Sialkot there was … no lynching of isolated sahibs, no sexual attack on memsahibs and no mutilation of their corpses. Though many opportunities presented [themselves], sepoys did not take part in any such thing".<ref name="Mehdi2018">{{Cite web\|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1404435\|title=Non-fiction: Reconstructing a 'Mutiny'\|last=Mehdi\|first=Mohammed Qasim\|date=29 April 2018\|website=DAWN.COM\|language=en\|access-date=2020-01-01}}</ref>

	The book includes a chapter on the colonial method of blowing from a cannon, a form of punishment designed to shatter bodies, making traditional funeral rites impossible for both Hindus and Muslims.<ref name="Tunzelmann">{{Cite web\|url=https://www.historytoday.com/reviews/whose-civilising-mission\|title=Whose Civilising Mission?\|last=Tunzelmann\|first=Alex\|date=5 May 2018\|website=www.historytoday.com~~\|url-status=live~~\|archive-url=\|archive-date=\|access-date=2019-12-29}}</ref> There is also a chapter on the collection of skulls from other colonies.<ref name="Mukherjee2018"/>		The book includes a chapter on the colonial method of blowing from a cannon, a form of punishment designed to shatter bodies, making traditional funeral rites impossible for both Hindus and Muslims.<ref name="Tunzelmann">{{Cite web\|url=https://www.historytoday.com/reviews/whose-civilising-mission\|title=Whose Civilising Mission?\|last=Tunzelmann\|first=Alex\|date=5 May 2018\|website=www.historytoday.com\|archive-url=\|archive-date=\|access-date=2019-12-29}}</ref> There is also a chapter on the collection of skulls from other colonies.<ref name="Mukherjee2018"/>

	Wagner reported that his "research revealed several surprising discoveries, not least of which was that Alum Bheg was most likely innocent of the crimes for which he was executed".<ref name=":HindustanTimes2018">{{Cite web\|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/uk-historian-wants-1857-revolt-soldier-s-skull-to-be-buried-at-india-pak-border/story-1dO6FT53cZjG3QAOp5zHLI.html\|title=UK historian wants 1857 revolt soldier's skull to be buried at India-Pak border\|last=\|first=\|date=15 April 2018\|website=Hindustan Times\|language=en~~\|url-status=live~~\|archive-url=\|archive-date=\|access-date=28 December 2019}}</ref>		Wagner reported that his "research revealed several surprising discoveries, not least of which was that Alum Bheg was most likely innocent of the crimes for which he was executed".<ref name=":HindustanTimes2018">{{Cite web\|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/uk-historian-wants-1857-revolt-soldier-s-skull-to-be-buried-at-india-pak-border/story-1dO6FT53cZjG3QAOp5zHLI.html\|title=UK historian wants 1857 revolt soldier's skull to be buried at India-Pak border\|last=\|first=\|date=15 April 2018\|website=Hindustan Times\|language=en\|archive-url=\|archive-date=\|access-date=28 December 2019}}</ref>

	The book concludes with Wagner's wish for the skull to be repatriated back to India to be "buried in a respectful manner",<ref name=Biswas2018/> preferably near the [[Ravi River]], where Bheg was known to have been involved in the Battle of Trimmu Ghat.<ref name=":HindustanTimes2018" />		The book concludes with Wagner's wish for the skull to be repatriated back to India to be "buried in a respectful manner",<ref name=Biswas2018/> preferably near the [[Ravi River]], where Bheg was known to have been involved in the Battle of Trimmu Ghat.<ref name=":HindustanTimes2018" />
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	[[Category:21st-century history books]]		[[Category:21st-century history books]]
	[[Category:Works about the Indian Rebellion of 1857]]		[[Category:Works about the Indian Rebellion of 1857]]
			[[Category:C. Hurst & Co. books]]

imported>Wbm1058: Disambiguate Natural History Museum to Natural History Museum, London using popups

2020-12-14T01:19:51Z

Disambiguate Natural History Museum to Natural History Museum, London using popups

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{{Infobox book
| italic title = 
| name = The Skull of Alum Bheg: The Life and Death of a Rebel of 1857
| image =The Skull of Alum Bheg cover.jpg
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| author = [[Kim A. Wagner]]
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| pages =256
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'''''The Skull of Alum Bheg: The Life and Death of a Rebel of 1857''''', is a book by [[Kim A. Wagner]], a lecturer on colonial India and the British Empire. It was published in 2017 by [[C. Hurst & Co.]], and is based on the life of Havildar Alum Bheg, a [[sepoy]] of the [[46th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry|46th Regiment]] of the [[Bengal Native Infantry]], who following the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]] and being said to have killed a British missionary family in Punjab, was executed by the British by being [[blowing from a gun|blown from a cannon]].

His skull was taken to England as a trophy and was discovered in the Lord Clyde pub in [[Walmer]], [[Kent]], in 1963. It remained there until it was given to Wagner in 2014, by the pub's owners. The [[Natural History Museum, London|Natural History Museum]] confirmed its likely authenticity and Wagner, with little evidence to go on, traced Bheg's history using various sources including letters written by the relatives and friends of Bheg's alleged victims.

==Publication==
''The Skull of Alum Bheg'' was authored by [[Kim A. Wagner]] and published in 2017 by [[C. Hurst & Co.]] It has 256 pages and is available in hardback and paperback.<ref name=Hurst>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hurstpublishers.com/book/skull-alum-bheg/|title=The Skull of Alum Bheg {{!}} Hurst Publishers|last=|first=|date=|website=HURST|language=en-GB|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=25 December 2019}}</ref><ref name="Newsinger2019">{{Cite journal|last=Newsinger|first=John|date=1 July 2019|title=The Skull of Alum Bheg: the life and death of a rebel of 1857 by Kim A. Wagner|journal=Race & Class|language=en|volume=61|issue=1|pages=110–111|doi=10.1177/0306396818801216|issn=0306-3968}}{{subscription required}}</ref> The book contains a prologue, introduction, eleven chapters and an epilogue.<ref name="Bender2019">{{Cite journal|last=Bender|first=Jill C.|date=January 2019|title=Kim A. Wagner. The Skull of Alum Bheg: The Life and Death of a Rebel of 1857|journal=[[Journal of British Studies]]|language=en|volume=58|issue=1|pages=253–254|doi=10.1017/jbr.2018.232|issn=0021-9371}}</ref>

==Summary==
Wagner traces the story of [[Havildar]] Alum Bheg, also called Alim Beg, a [[sepoy]] of the [[46th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry]], who following the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]] and being said to have killed the Britons, surgeon James Graham, missionary Thomas Hunter and Hunter's wife and daughters in Punjab, was executed by the British by being [[blowing from a gun|blown from a cannon]].<ref name="Roy2018">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/leisure/story/20180319-the-massacre-at-cawnpore-kim-wagner-skull-of-alum-bheg-1185615-2018-03-09|title=Alas, poor Alum|last=Roy|first=Anita|date=19 March 2018|website=[[India Today]]|language=en|url-status=live|access-date=25 December 2019}}</ref><ref name="Doherty">{{Cite web|url=http://socialistreview.org.uk/432/skull-alum-bheg|title=The Skull of Alum Bheg|last=Doherty|first=Shaun|date=February 2018|website=Socialist Review|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=29 December 2019}}</ref> His skull was then taken to England as a trophy, by a man who witnessed his execution. In 1963, the skull was found in the Lord Clyde pub in [[Walmer]], [[Kent]] and remained there until it was given to Wagner in 2014, by the pub's owners.<ref name="Bender2019"/><ref name=Llewellyn-Jones2018>{{Cite journal|last=Llewellyn-Jones|first=Rosie|date=3 July 2018|title=Kim A. Wagner. The Skull of Alum Bheg: The Life and Death of a Rebel of 1857|journal=Asian Affairs|volume=49|issue=3|pages=538–540|doi=10.1080/03068374.2018.1487717|issn=0306-8374}}</ref><ref name=Dover>[http://www.dover-kent.com/lord-clyde-walmer.html Lord Clyde], Dover Kent Archives, 25 July 2019. Retrieved 22 December 2019.</ref> By the time Wagner received it, the lower jaw and most of the teeth were missing.<ref name="Biswas2018">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-43616597|title=The Indian mutineer's skull found in a UK pub|last=Biswas|first=Soutik|date=5 April 2018|work=[[BBC News]]|access-date=22 December 2019|language=en-GB}}</ref> A note was found in the eye socket of the skull:
<blockquote>Skull of Havildar "Alum Bheg," 46th Regt. Bengal N. Infantry who was blown away from a gun, amongst several others of his Regt. He was a principal leader in the mutiny of 1857 & of a most ruffianly disposition. He took possession (at the head of a small party) of the road leading to the fort, to which place all the Europeans were hurrying for safety. His party surprised and killed Dr. Graham shooting him in his buggy by the side of his daughter. His next victim was the Rev. Mr. Hunter, a missionary, who was flying with his wife and daughters in the same direction. He murdered Mr Hunter, and his wife and daughters after being brutally treated were butchered by the road side. Alum Bheg was about 32 years of age; 5 feet 7 ½ inches high and by no means an ill looking native. The skull was brought home by Captain (AR) Costello (late Capt. [[7th Dragoon Guards|7th Drag. Guards]]), who was on duty when Alum Bheg was executed.<ref name="Biswas2018"/></blockquote>

The pub's owners had felt uneasy keeping the skull and sought the expertise of Wagner after hearing about his research on the British Empire. Wagner later reported "and so it was I found myself standing in a small train station in Essex with a human skull in my bag. Not just any other skull but one directly related to a part of history that I write about and that I teach my students every year".<ref name="Biswas2018"/> The [[Natural History Museum, London|Natural History Museum]] confirmed its likely authenticity and Wagner, with little evidence to go by, traced Bheg's history using letters written by the relatives and friends of Bheg's alleged victims.<ref name="Biswas2018"/>

Wagner confirmed that Alum Bheg was present at the rebellion at [[Sialkot]], [[British India]], in July 1857, an event about which little has been written.<ref name="Bender2019"/> The absence of Alum Bheg from historical records led Wagner to narrate an account of thousands of Indian soldiers like Bheg, who revolted in 1857.<ref name="Mukherjee2018">{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/culture/books/between-physical-presence-and-archival-absence/cid/1668307|title=The Skull of Alum Bheg|last=Mukherjee|first=Sujaan|date=14 September 2018|website=www.telegraphindia.com|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=29 December 2019}}</ref> However, he says "truth is that the outbreak at Sialkot was a highly contingent and confused event, and one that in many ways differed from places [such as] Meerut, Delhi and elsewhere. At Sialkot there was … no lynching of isolated sahibs, no sexual attack on memsahibs and no mutilation of their corpses. Though many opportunities presented [themselves], sepoys did not take part in any such thing".<ref name="Mehdi2018">{{Cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1404435|title=Non-fiction: Reconstructing a 'Mutiny'|last=Mehdi|first=Mohammed Qasim|date=29 April 2018|website=DAWN.COM|language=en|access-date=2020-01-01}}</ref>

The book includes a chapter on the colonial method of blowing from a cannon, a form of punishment designed to shatter bodies, making traditional funeral rites impossible for both Hindus and Muslims.<ref name="Tunzelmann">{{Cite web|url=https://www.historytoday.com/reviews/whose-civilising-mission|title=Whose Civilising Mission?|last=Tunzelmann|first=Alex|date=5 May 2018|website=www.historytoday.com|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-12-29}}</ref> There is also a chapter on the collection of skulls from other colonies.<ref name="Mukherjee2018"/>

Wagner reported that his "research revealed several surprising discoveries, not least of which was that Alum Bheg was most likely innocent of the crimes for which he was executed".<ref name=":HindustanTimes2018">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/uk-historian-wants-1857-revolt-soldier-s-skull-to-be-buried-at-india-pak-border/story-1dO6FT53cZjG3QAOp5zHLI.html|title=UK historian wants 1857 revolt soldier's skull to be buried at India-Pak border|last=|first=|date=15 April 2018|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=28 December 2019}}</ref>

The book concludes with Wagner's wish for the skull to be repatriated back to India to be "buried in a respectful manner",<ref name=Biswas2018/> preferably near the [[Ravi River]], where Bheg was known to have been involved in the Battle of Trimmu Ghat.<ref name=":HindustanTimes2018" />

==Reception==
Shaun Doherty of the ''[[Socialist Review]]'' described the book as "meticulously researched" and "well-documented" with a "gripping narrative that brings to life the human aspects of imperial domination".<ref name="Doherty"/> Historian [[Yasmin Khan]] reported that it "reads like a detective novel and yet is also an important contribution to understanding British rule and the extent of colonial violence".<ref name="Biswas2018"/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Skull of Alum Bheg: The Life and Death of a Rebel of 1857}}
[[Category:2017 non-fiction books]]
[[Category:History books about India]]
[[Category:21st-century history books]]
[[Category:Works about the Indian Rebellion of 1857]]