A siege of the British garrison during the Indian Mutiny. The abolition by the British of the Kingdom of Oudh, whose capital Lucknow had been, became one of the causes of the Mutiny. On the outbreak of hostilities the British and Indian garrison, together with women and children, were confined to the Residency, and during the ensuing five‐month siege they suffered heavy casualties. Lucknow was relieved first on 26 September by troops under Sir Henry Havelock. He was then besieged, and only relieved on 16 November by troops under Sir Colin Campbell. The city was not finally restored to British possession until 21 March 1858.