Expert: Mark Smith - 3/5/2011

Question
Dear sir,
I would like to know how the Cawnpore massacre was the turning point of the Indian mutiny which started a war of Independence?
What i really need to know is what happened before compared to after the Cawnpore massacre to have made it the turning point, and how it started a war of independence. Im already pretty familiar with everything else that happened. Thanks alot :)

Answer
I would disagree that the Indian Mutiny started the war of independence. After the Mutiny was suppressed in 1858 India was pretty much peaceful until WW II 85 years later, apart from the usual troubles in the northern mountainous border areas.
Cawnpore saw atrocities in both sides; by the Indians in their massacre of the captives to the British retaliation after its recapture.