Queen Victoria's posthumous honor to the killer of Indian natives in 1857: ''Major William Hodson''

Captain. William Hodson tornosindia.com

 The legacies of  killers like William Hodson (1857) and Reginald Dyer (1919) cast a long shadow over the history of British India, marked by violence, massacres, lootings, controversy and ethical debate. In the explosive year of 1857, major William Raikes Hodson  of the East India Company emerged as a key figure during the first war of independence by the Indian soldiers  who revolted against the British army and captured key cities in the north, The British army with enforcements and powerful guns, recapture cities one by one  and the recapture of Delhi posed them problems. Major  Hodson  was relentless   and under the favorable circumstances, he recaptured the last Mogul ruler Bahadur Shah Zafar II,  and it was followed by  capture and  the summary execution of  ruler's  heirs two young sons and one grandson.  near the infamous Khooni Darwaza. Hodson stripped them of their personal jewelry before shot them dead point blank before a large crowd, an act that sparked condemnation among some British contemporaries. and patriots. 

Queen Victoria. stockphoto.com

However, the head of Britain Queen Victoria considered Hodson's actions and war exploits   were acts of patriotism and instrumental in securing  a  consolidated position for Britain in the subcontinent.  She took one step further  and  posthumously honored him in 1860 with a grace-and-favour apartment for his widow  "in consideration of the distinguished service of your late husband in India"Grace & Favour''.

Hampton court, London  .indiatimes.com 

Above image:  A grace-and-favour home is a prestigious residential property owned by the  British monarch by virtue of his or her position as head of state and leased, often rent-free, to persons as part of an employment package or in gratitude for past services rendered  to uphold the dignity of the country.  This lavish palace in London's Southwestern suburbs  carry centuries of Britain's royal history  First started by Henry VIII's chief minister Cardinal Wolsey, the red brick palace became a headquarters for the Tudor king before being substantially added to and rebuilt by St Paul's Cathedral's architect Christopher Wren in the 17th century. So, it is a  sort of very British hotchpotch of Gothic turrets, vaulted halls, sumptuous Baroque interiors and sweeping grounds. The gardens themselves are also an attraction, housing a real tennis court built for Henry VIII and a knotty hedge maze to get lost in.

Hampton court, London liysf.org.uk

Hampton court, London viator.com

The honoring of maniac killers like Hodson underscores a disturbing aspect of British colonial rule, where acts of extreme violence against the Indian populace were in some influential circles, celebrated as demonstrations of strength and the upholding of imperial authority. it is quite appalling the higher-ups in the British government  were immune to the sufferings and pains of the victims.The empire never upheld the  basic principles of justice and humanity when running big country like India.  The British India history is written in bloodshed through their stay in India.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8737365/Controversial-statues-placed-museum-colonialism-leading-historian-claims.html

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8737365/Controversial-statues-placed-museum-colonialism-leading-historian-claims.html

 https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/when-a-statue-was-thrown-off-its-pedestal/article7152370.ece