Sir Henry Havelock

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The bust depicts Sir Henry Havelock (1795-1857). A major uprising in India against the British East India Company took place from 1857-8, as the company wielded sovereign power on behalf of the British Crown. The uprising is referred to by many names, including India's First War of Independence and the Sepoy Mutiny. Havelock's forces were responsible for burning down towns in response to the uprising, leading to the mass slaughter of urban populations. Captured rebel Sepoys were executed by being 'blown from a gun' - victims were tied to the mouth of a cannon, dispersing their remains and making burial extremely difficult. This portrait is part of Flux: Parian unpacked, a striking installation by ceramic artist and curator Matt Smith, showcasing for the first time over 100 busts from the newly-acquired Glynn collection of parian ware. By seeking to understand why Museums and society honor some historical figures but not others, the exhibition challenges established notions of British history and colonialism. Text (c) Copyright 2000-2018, The Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge, UK.