'The Lahore Gate of the Palace', Delhi, Indian Mutiny, 1857

One of 14 tinted lithographs by Brevet Major J R Turnbull, 13th Light Infantry, from 'Sketches of Delhi taken during the Siege', published by T McLean, 1858.

The Lahore Gate of the Ref Fort in Delhi.

By early September 1857 the British had about 9,000 men before Delhi. A third were British while the rest were Sikhs, Punjabis and Gurkhas. Prior to a final assault siege batteries of guns and mortars reduced the defences on the northern side of the city. By 13 September the breaches in the walls were considered extensive enough to allow storming columns to assault the city.

The assault began on the 14 September but it took a week of vicious street fighting before Delhi was finally taken. The British and their Indian allies then ransacked the city in an orgy of looting and killing. Delhi's capture was key to British suppression of the Indian Mutiny (1857-1859).