१८५७ का स्वातन्त्र्य समर (वीर विनायक दामोदर सावरकर - अंग्रेजों द्वारा छपने से पूर्व प्रतिबन्धित महाग्रन्थ)

SECRET ORGANISATION
rising in India would be a help, the Shah of Persia began
to open diplomatic correspondence with the Emperor of
Delhi. In the Declaration of the Emperor of Delhi, it had
been made quite clear that a confidential agent had been
sent to Persia from the Delhi Durbar. While this intrigue
was going on at the Durbar of the Shah, right in the city
of Delhi agitation was started to stir the public feeling
to its very depths. For this work, even public Proclama-
tions were sometimes posted up on the walls of the town.
In the beginning of 1857, a Proclamation couched in the
following terms appeared boldly : “ The army of Persia
is going to free India from the hands of the Feringhis. So,
young and old, big and small, literate and illiterate, civil
and military, all Hindusthanee brothers should leap forth
into the field to free themselves from the Kaffirs.” ⁶
Though these Proclamations were ever and anon posted
in public places, still the English could hardly trace the
persons who posted these Proclamations ; and Indian
newspapers used to publish these Proclamations and to
criticise them in mysterious language. The various
Shahzadas and their retainers in the palaces of Delhi open-
ly and secretly spread disaffection, and were engaged in
weaving a net-work of conspiracies. In the grounds of
Prince Nawab Bakht, for six years, Sergeant Fleming’s
son had been practising riding. But when, in the begin-
ning of April 1857, this English youth went to the resi-
dence of Vizier Mahbub Ali, the prince, excited beyond
measure, said, “ Away, get away from here. I boil with
rage when I see the face of any Feringhi!” So saying, the
Prince spat on him ! ⁷ Other people were working more
secretly and quite differently from the manner of this
abusive prince. Mrs. Aldwell says in her evidence, that
she had personally heard Mahomedan mothers asking
6. Kaye’s Indian Mutiny, Vol. II, p. 30.
7. Military Narrative (p. 374): “ Jawan Bakht commenced
abusing, declaring that the sight of the Kaffir Feringhi disturbed his
serenity, spat in his face, and desired him to leave.”
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