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

THE ERUPTION
field in his life. Their number was swelled by more camp
followers than regular soldiers. And besides, they had be-
come disheartened at seeing their countrymen, the Sikhs
and the Gurkhas, helping the enemy. The English on the
other hand assured themselves that the battle would only
be a great Tamasha (a show). But the glorious ideal of
Swaraj had filled the hearts of the Sepoys with a new
inspiration and a new courage which discounted all odds.
Such was the valour they showed that the English were
soon convinced that it was not a Tamasha, but a real,
grim, life-and-death struggle. The Delhi artillery was so
powerful that the English artillery could do nothing
against it. While the artillerymen and officers of the
English were falling, the Delhi artillery became more and
more fierce. At this, the English ordered their infantry
to rush the artillery of the Revolutionaries. The English
soldiers came right up to the artillery and the field-arsenal,
and still the Revolutionaries would not budge an inch !
In the fight for Swadharma and Swaraj, these Sepoys
behaved like true heroes and did not leave their
posts till English bayonets pierced them through !
But these brave heroes had not, at that time, a
proper leader, or one who would, at least stand by
them to the end, if not lead and encourage them.
For, while they were dying for their country and
religion, pierced by English bayonets but still stick-
ing to their posts, their Commander-in-Chief had run
away towards Delhi at the first roar of cannon ! Just
then, the English cavalry charged the left, and Hope
Grant with his horse artillery charged the rear of this un-
fortunate army. The field was lost and this army, haras-
sed by compatriots and foreigners alike, after fighting all
day, was routed, and retreated to Delhi. General Barnard
in order to follow up the victory ordered the English army
to push forward, and it arrived at the walls of Delhi to-
wards evening. The result of this day's fight was that the
Revolutionaries lost the control of the territory surround-
ing Delhi, and the English got an advantageous position
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