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

CAWNPORE AND JHANSI
successful plan would be to harass the English in various
places. Above all, as Cawnpore to a great extent com-
manded the line of communications between the Panjab,
Delhi, and Calcutta, it was necessary to strike a blow at
Cawnpore and capture it. When the Subahdar’s and
Nana’s men had explained all this to the Sepoys, it was
unanimously decided to turn back towards Cawnpore.
The three thousand Sepoys elected Nana Sahib their King
and expressed an ardent desire to see him. When he
appeared, he was hailed with tremendous enthusiasm and
they saluted him with all royal honours. When the elec-
tion of the King was over, with his consent, the Sepoys
proceeded to elect their officers; Subahdar Tikka Singh,
the very life of the Revolutionary centre at Cawnpore, was
elected the chief commander of the cavalry and was given
the title of “General.” New army regulations were issued.
Jamadar Dalganjan Singh was made the colonel of the
53rd regiment, and Subahdar Ganga Din of the 56th regi-
ment. Then, there was a grand procession of the flag of
freedom on the back of an elephant, and on the same day
it was proclaimed by beat of drum that Nana Sahib had
commenced to reign.
After these elections, Nana Sahib did not waste even a
second. When the English received the information that
the Sepoys did not go to Delhi but had stopped on the
way, they entrenched themselves in the new fort and had
their artillery ready. Their number was about one thou-
sand, men, women, and children all told. It was of the
first importance to capture this fortified place, and Nana
Sahib ordered the whole army to march thither. The Eng-
lish were not certain that the Revolutionaries would attack
them; but, early on the morning of the 6th, Sir Wheeler
received a note. It was from Nana Sahib and was
couched in the following terms :—“ We are going to begin
the attack. We want to warn you, and therefore send this
previous notice to you.” When he received this invitation
to fight, Sir Wheeler got ready all his officers and soldiers
221