Empire

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Why did the Indian Mutiny happen?

In 1857, Indian soldiers rose up against their British commanders. They were joined by native rulers and thousands of ordinary people in a struggle that threatened to destroy British colonial power on the Indian subcontinent.

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A bomb disposal officer and infantry officer patrol West Belfast, 1992

The Troubles

Troops were sent to Northern Ireland in 1969. They ended up staying there for nearly 40 years in what became the British Army's longest ever deployment.

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Lieutenants Melville and Coghill saving the Colours at Isandlwana, 1879

Zulu War

In 1879, the British fought a war against the Zulu kingdom. The Zulus resisted bravely and were only defeated after a series of particularly bloody battles that have gone down in the annals of colonial warfare.

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Malayan Emergency

The Malayan Emergency (1948-60) was one of the few successful counter-insurgency operations undertaken by the Western powers during the Cold War.

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The Gurkhas

Nepalese soldiers known as Gurkhas have fought for Britain since 1815. Here we explore their history and find out why they have long been regarded among the finest and fiercest soldiers.

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A trophy worth losing your head for?

In the 19th century, it was customary for soldiers to claim war trophies as a token of victory after defeating their enemies in battle. This Ashanti war trumpet is unusual in that it serves as a token of defeat.

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Explore Empire events

Secondary workshop

1 June 2024 - 18 July 2025

FREE

The Indian ‘Mutiny’?

Analyse evidence from sources and artefacts to make a case for how the 1857 uprising in India should be interpreted.

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Secondary (virtual)

1 June 2024 - 18 July 2025

FREE

The Indian ‘Mutiny’? (virtual)

Analyse evidence from documents and artefacts, then curate an exhibition to make a case for whether the conflict was a mutiny or war of independence.

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School students getting to grips with the handling collection

Secondary workshop

1 June 2024 - 18 July 2025

FREE

Trench medicine: Illnesses, injuries and their treatment

Explore artefacts and sources on the causes and treatment of injuries and illnesses on the Western Front during the First World War, and assess the impact of these innovations.

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Secondary workshop

1 June 2024 - 18 July 2025

FREE

World at War: Soldiers of Empire

Discover more about the contributions of soldiers from the British Empire in the First and Second World Wars.

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A British medical orderly treats a wounded German soldier, c1916

Secondary (virtual)

1 June 2024 - 18 July 2025

FREE

Trench medicine: Illnesses, injuries and their treatment (virtual)

Explore artefacts and sources on the causes and treatment of injuries and illnesses on the Western Front during the First World War, and assess the impact of these innovations.

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Gatling gun and operating crew during the Zulu War, 1879

Talk At Museum / Online

24 January 2025, 12.00pm

FREE

The Battle of Ulundi

Hear from Michael Nicholas as he sheds light on the events and impact of the last major battle of the Zulu War.

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Soldier of the King’s African Rifles covering a road, armed with a Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Rifle, c1943

Talk At Museum / Online

21 February 2025, 12.00pm

FREE

Fighting for the Empire? Britain’s Colonial African Armies, 1939-45

Hear from John Concagh as he highlights how soldiers from Africa were recruited, trained and mobilised during the Second World War.

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A private of the 8th West India Regiment, c1804

Talk At Museum / Online

21 March 2025, 12.00pm

FREE

Soldiers of Uncertain Rank: The West India Regiments in British Imperial Culture

Professor David Lambert explores the history of the West India Regiments and their impact on the culture of the Caribbean.

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Explore Empire learning resources

Soldiers of the British West Indies Regiment, France, 1916

Timeline

KS3-KS4 (Ages 11 to 16)

West Indian Soldier: Interactive Timeline

Explore the history of Caribbean people in the British Army, and of the British Army in the Caribbean, through an interactive timeline.

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Women of the West Indies Auxiliary Territorial Service, c1944

Video

KS3-KS4 (Ages 11 to 16)

Virtual Exhibition: West Indian Soldier

Explore the history of Caribbean people in the British Army, and of the British Army in the Caribbean, through this virtual tour of the West Indian Soldier exhibition.

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Video

KS2-KS3 (Ages 7 to 14)

Shirley Hamilton: ATS Servicewoman

Explore the contribution of Caribbean women who joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) during the Second World War.

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Video

KS2-KS3 (Ages 7 to 14)

BlackPoppyRose at the National Army Museum

Explore the theme of remembrance and the service of African and Caribbean men and women in the British Army with BlackPoppyRose.

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Indian Army troops travelling upstream on a barge, Mesopotamia, c1916

Timeline

KS3-KS5 (Ages 11+)

India, Empire and the Army: Interactive Timeline

Explore the history of the British Army in India and the British Empire's Indian armies through this interactive timeline packed with over 200 sources.

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'The Divided Dominion', poster, published 21 June 1947

Video

KS3-KS4 (Ages 11 to 16)

The Partition of India: A Poetic Retelling

Discover more about the Partition of India and the events leading up to it through this poetry film, featuring archival images and original epic poetry.

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