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

THE VOLCANO
all the treasuries, that would be full with the proceeds of
the Rabbi crops, were to be looted. Jails were to be
broken open and prisoners released. For in the North-
Western provinces, from the prisoners alone an army of
nearly 25,000 people could be formed." As soon as the
rising took place, the powder-magazines and armouries
were to be taken possession of. All forts and strategic
positions were to be taken, wherever possible. Such was
the secret structure of the Revolutionary Organisation,
and it had bound together the whole army.
To supply the sinews of war to the secret organisa-
tion, the Sahukars of Lucknow, the palaces of Nana and
Vizier Ali Nakkhi Khan, the Mahal of Delhi, and other
heads of the Revolutionary party were sufficient. While
the Sepoys were concerting their secret schemes, some
secrets, now by a trifling mistake, now through a traitor,
leaked out. Then, the English Government issued orders
that the whole regiment about which the suspicion of
disaffection arose should be at once dismissed. That was
most excellent. Why ? The Government thus actually
gave to the country so many volunteer Sanyasis to spread
the fire of Revolution all round. The various Durbars of
Hindusthan, the ordinary people, and the military—these
three divisions of the people were linked together by the
indefatigable efforts of the able Revolutionary leaders.
There still remains the class of civil officers. An outline
of the particular part which this class played in the struc-
ture of the Revolution must be given. The coming pages
will clearly show that most of the more prominent Indian
civilians in Northern India had taken a leading part in
the " mutiny ". From the Patel and Kulkarni of the
village to the native judge of the high court, Hindu
and Mussalman officers of all ranks, pleaders and
clerks, had joined the Revolutionary Organisation
secretly. The fact that the Government had not the least
idea of the extensive organisation is easily explained ; for
these native officers alone are the eyes with which the
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