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

THE ERUPTION
Fyzabad was the chief town of the eastern part of Oudh
and was also the residence of Commissioner Goldney of the
province. In the province of Fyzabad, there were three
districts, Sultanpur, Saloni, and Fyzabad. In the city of
Fyzabad were stationed, at the time, the 22nd infantry,
the 6th irregular infantry, some cavalry, and some artil-
lery, all under the command of Colonel Lennox. In the
district of Fyzabad, the oppression of the English govern-
ment was at its worst. Sir Henry Lawrence himself writes,
“The Talukdars have also, I fear, been hardly dealt with.
At least in the Fyzabad district, they have lost half their
villages, some Talukdars have lost all.”¹ Immediately
after the news of Meerut, the English officers at Fyza-
bad were afraid that this oppression would soon be aveng-
ed, and anxiety to save themselves took possession of their
minds. They could not send their families to Lucknow,
because the road was thoroughly guarded by the Revolu-
tionaries. They could not prepare to fight at Fyzabad,
because the whole army there was composed of Indians.
Finding themselves in this dilemma, these officers at last
went to Raja Man Singh for protection. Raja Man
Singh was the great leader of all the Hindus in the pro-
vince of Oudh. His sword was always drawn to protect
the Hindu religion under the Nabobs. In the May of
1857, this proud Raja had been imprisoned by the English
for some begatelle about revenue. But, since the English
had been weakened by the Meerut rising, they had releas-
ed him in order to curry favour with him and gain him
to their side.
With very great difficulty, he consented to give refuge to
English women and children in his castle. He still said that
the people would not like his action and would not even
scruple to attack his castle for it. On the 1st of June, how-
ever, the families of the English officers went to Man
Singh for refuge and lived safely in his Shahganj Castle.

1. Kaye and Malleson's Indian Mutiny, Vol. III, p. 266.
   250