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

THE ERUPTION
would repent of their disobedience after being disbanded.
But thousands of Sepoys willingly laid down their arms
like some unholy object, and broke with pleasure the
chains of slavery. They tore away their boots and uni-
forms and proceeded to take a bath in the neighbouring
river, as if to wash away the sins of slavery. It was the
custom for the Sepoys to buy military caps out of their
own money, so the Company allowed them to take them
back as their private property. But were they going to
don the emblem of slavery again after the purificatory
bath in the river? No, no. No one would commit such
an impiety! The days are gone when India would don
other people's caps! Throw away these slavish caps!
Thousands of caps began to fly in the air! But through
the obstinacy of the force of gravitation, they fell again
on India's soil! The Goddess has been polluted again!
Run, Sepoys, run even before the English officers tear those
other badges of slavery, and trample these into dust!
Thousands of Sepoys began to trample upon the polluted
caps; and, seeing the Sepoys dance upon the caps, which
was an insult to their authority, the English officers were
petrified with astonishment and rage.¹
Mangal Panday's blood not only sowed the seeds
of freedom in the regiments stationed in Bengal,
but electrified also Umballa on the other side of
India. Umballa was the chief head-quarters of the
English army, and the English Commander-in-Chief
Anson stayed there. The Sepoys at Umballa struck upon
a new plan, that of burning the house of every officer that
went against them! Every night the houses of tyrants
and traitors used to receive the unwelcome visit of fire.
The work was done so swiftly and secretly that it seemed
as if the God of Fire Himself had become a member of
the Secret Society. There were so many fires and thou-
sands of Rupees were offered to discover the culprit, but

1. Red Pamphlet, part I, page 34.
   108