भारत में अंग्रेजी राज (पण्डित सुन्दरलाल - ब्रिटिश औपनिवेशिक लूट व षड्यन्त्रों का प्रामाणिक इतिहास)

वारन हेस्टिंग्स २५५
इसके बाद टोरेन्स बयान करता है कि किस प्रकार इन समस्त
अत्याचारों ने, अवध के नवाब पर कम्पनी की आए दिन की माँगों
ने, और वहाँ के राजशासन में अंगरेज़ों के नित्य हस्तक्षेप ने मिलकर
आसफुद्दौला को मिटा डाला, अवध निवासियों की हिम्मतों को
कुचल कर ख़ाक कर दिया और उत्तरीय भारत के उस हरे भरे
बाग़ को थोड़े ही दिनों में इधर से उधर तक वीरान कर डाला।
himself to be a friend in need. . . . Sir Elijah got into palanquin, and
posted to Lucknow, by relays of pagan bearers;--for were not pagans made
to bear Christian Chief Justice on their shoulders, when at full speed to aid
in the Commission of robbery at the command of a Right Honourable
Viceroy? What could more clearly prove to a soul-darkened population
the superiority of European manners and morals? Arrived in the capital
of Oudh, the Chief Justice took a number of affidavits which accused the
Begums of complicity with Chait Singh, in his supposed conspiracy against
his lawful masters, the Company. Sir Elijah did not read the affidavits, or
hear them read. They were in a dilect he did not understand, and he had
not time to wait for an interpreter. So he took them as Chief Magistrate
of England in the East; and this "scandalous prostitution of his high
authority" being completed, he got into his palanquin again, and returned to
Calcutta. . . . The farce concluded, tragic scenes began. The palace
of Fyzabad was surrounded by English troops. The princesses were told
that they were captives, and required to deliver up their gold and jewels.
On their refusal, their ladies were subjected to semi-starvation and their
servants to torture. Unable to endure their groans and tears, the Begums
gave up casket after casket, and store after store, until the sum of spoil was
reckoned at £s 12,00,000. Then, and not till then, their wretched menials
were let go. Such are the bare outlines of the dreadful tale. Over
all that could furnish forth the true coloring of the picture, the veil of
oblivion has fallen, and it can not now be raised. . . Asafuddoula
. . . lost influence and power. . . . the desolation that overspread
the country, . . ."--Torren's Empire in Asia, pp. 126-128.