George White and the Victorian Army in India and Africa : Serving the Empire

This book offers a detailed investigation of George S. White’s career in the British Army. It explores late Victorian military conflicts, British power dynamics in Africa and Asia, civil-military relations on the fringes of the empire, and networks of advancement in the army. White served in the Indian Rebellion and, twenty years later, the Second Anglo-Afghan War, where he earned the Victoria Cross. After serving in the Sudan campaign, White returned to India and held commands during the conquest and pacification of Upper Burma and the extension of British control over Balochistan, and, as Commander-in-Chief, sent expeditions to the North-West Frontier and oversaw major military reforms. Just before the start of the South African War, White was given the command of the Natal Field Force. This force was besieged in Ladysmith for 118 days. Relieved in 1900, White was heralded as the “Defender of Ladysmith.” He was made Field-Marshal in 1903. Acknowledgments Contents List of Maps Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: The Start of a Military Career (1853–1878) Chapter 3: Recognition in Afghanistan (1878–1884) Chapter 4: The Making of a General: War and the Occupation of Upper Burma (1885–1889) Chapter 5: On the Edge of Empire: Baluchistan (1889–1892) Chapter 6: Commander-in-Chief, India: Administrator (1893–1898) Chapter 7: Commander-in-Chief, India: Campaigns (1893–1898) Chapter 8: The Outbreak of the South African War (1899) Chapter 9: The Defender of Ladysmith (1899–1900) Chapter 10: Ending a Career on the Rock (1900–1912) Chapter 11: Conclusion Bibliography I. Archives and Manuscript Collections II. Parliamentary Papers and Published Reports III. Contemporary Books IV. Modern Books and Journals V. Dissertations Index