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

THE ERUPTION
losing a minute, marched on with vigour. Delhi is about
thirty-two miles from Meerut. At about eight in the
morning, the first part of the army was in sight of the
sacred Jumna. Seeing the holy Jumna which seemed, by
its cool breezes, consciously to encourage the heroes bent
on the holy work of Freedom, thousands of soldiers salut-
ed her, shouting, "Jai Jumnaji!" Horses began to gallop
on the bridge of boats leading to Delhi. But did the river
Jumna understand their sacred mission? It was neces-
sary to let her know this and get her blessings before
marching on. Then, catch hold of that Englishman there
walking along the bridge, and let his blood be poured into
the dark Jumna! This blood will tell her the reason why
these Sepoys are galloping so hurriedly towards Delhi!
After crossing the bridge of boats, the Sepoys were
already at the walls of Delhi. When the rumour reached
the English officers, they collected the Sepoys on the
parade-ground and began to treat them to lectures on
loyalty. Colonel Ripley, with the 54th regiment started
to oppose the Meerut Sepoys. The Sepoys of the 54th
regiment told their Colonel when starting, "Show us the
Sepoys of Meerut and we will then see." The colonel
said "Shabash" (Well done!) and the regiment march-
ed towards the Revolutionaries. As they advanced, they
saw the Meerut cavalry galloping towards the fort. Just
behind the cavalry, there were also coming on, the in-
fantry dressed in red garments and thirsty for English
blood. As soon as the two armies saw each other, they
saluted; and the army of Delhi met that of Meerut on
friendly terms! When the Meerut army raised the
cries of "Let the English rule be destroyed!" and
"Long live the Emperor!", the Delhi army replied by
shouting, "Kill the Feringhis!" In a moment, Colonel
Ripley, who, in confusion, began to shout, "What is
this!", "What is this!", was riddled with bullets and
fell down dead. All the English officers of the army of
Delhi were similarly killed. After having thus sealed their
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