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

CAWNPORE AND JHANSI
Pundit had explained to the Sepoys how, in the eyes of
religion, there was no sin in beheading men who had
broken faith with a nation and had enslaved it ! ⁸
On the 27th of June, the sun rose on this disturbed atmos-
phere. The English were to be seen off from the Sati
Chowda Ghat. The cavalry and the infantry stood round
the Ghat and the artillery was also in position. Thou-
sands of the citizens of Cawnpore had also assembled at
the Ghat, since the morning, to witness the scene on the
banks of the Ganges, each with his own mental picture
of it. Azimullah Khan, Bala Sahib, and the Commander
Tatia Topé, also stood on the terrace of a temple near the
Ghat. The name of the temple too was fitting to the
occasion. Inside was the image of " Har Dev " and it
appeared as if the lordship of the whole region was vested
for the time being solely in the hands of Shiva, the Terri-
ble ! Nana Sahib had sent the best conveyances to
take the English from the fort to the Ganges bank. For
Sir Wheeler, a beautifully decorated elephant, with Nana
Sahib's own mahut, came and stood at the gate of the
fort. Sir Wheeler did not like the idea of being taken
in such a melancholy procession on an elephant ; so, he
seated his family on it and betook himself to a palanquin.
The English women had also palkees allotted to them.
The procession started. The English flag at the fort was
hauled down and the flag of freedom and religion flew
in its stead ! Instead of having heart-burnings at this
insult to English prestige, the prisoners expressed joy at
being released from the jaws of death. In the flush of
joy of a renewed life, they left the fort and proceeded
hastily—but whither ?
However, it is useless to discuss that question at this
stage. The Ganges Ghat is still a mile and a half afar.
When this procession, after going through the mile and a
8. Trevelyan's Cawnpore.
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