The book contains a narrative of the events of the First Indian War of Independence (1857-60) in modern Haryana and surrounding areas in a chronological order with entirely new contents derived from hitherto untouched sources such as massive number of original and first-hand reports of the British commanding officers and accompanying magistrates available in the contemporary newspapers and periodicals like the London Gazette Edinburgh Gazette Lahore Chronicle among many others archival files and government publications. Till today no historian has given an authentic narrative of even a single battle in Haryana whereas here full descriptions of 15 namely Odhan Khairekan Ballah Kharkhauda Rohtak Hisar Tosham Bhatol Mangali Jamalpur Raiseena Ghasera Nasibpur (Narnaul) Roopraka and Mahun battles have been provided. The description of sahibbas – moveable columns – fire blowing demons with European head and native tail which traversed Haryana for months together; will be of particular interest to the lay reader. Hitherto not even 12 names of the perpetrators of barbaric brutalities in Haryana were known whereas here 192 European military and civil officials have been identified who indulged in war crimes. The names of 1509 daredevils including 928 martyrs and 581 other prominent fighters of Haryana have been listed for the first time. The role of traitor native chiefs and rewardees has also been described in the book.
