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

OUDH
While the English were taking these measures of precau-
tion, the Revolutionary fire began to burn brighter at
Fyzabad. Moulvie Ahmad Shah, a name which finds a
place now in Indian history, was one of the several Taluk-
dars whose property had been confiscated by the English.
He had taken the vow not only to get his Talukdari back
but to free his country. Since the English annexed the
kingdom of Oudh, Talukdar Ahmad Shah had given his
all-in-all for the service of his country and religion. He
became a Moulvie and set out on a tour through Hindus-
than to preach Revolution. Wherever this political saint
went, there was seen an extraordinary awakening amongst
the people. He personally saw the great leaders of the
Revolutionary party. His voice was law in the royal fami-
ly of Oudh. He formed a branch of the Secret Society at
Agra. At Lucknow, he openly preached the destruction
of the British power. He was beloved by the masses in
Oudh. With his body, his mind, his speech, and his intelli-
gence, he worked incessantly in preaching freedom and
weaving a perfect net of secret societies. He then took up
the pen also. He wrote Revolutionary pamphlets and
began to spread them broadcast in the province of Oudh.
In one hand the sword and in the other the pen! Seeing
this, the English ordered his arrest. But the Oudh police
did not help to arrest the popular leader! So, a military
force was sent to fetch him! He was tried for sedition,
sentenced to be hanged, and detained for a time in the
Fyzabad prison.² The race began between the Moulvie
2. "Before the mutiny broke out, the Moulvie travelled
through India, on a roving commission, to excite the minds of his
compatriots to the steps then contemplated by the master spirits
of the plot. Certain it is that, in 1857, he circulated seditious papers
throughout Oudh; that the police did not arrest him; and, to
obtain that end, armed force was required. He was then tried and
condemned to death. But, before the sentence could be executed
Oudh broke into revolt and, like many a political criminal in Eu-
rope, he stepped at once from the floor of a dungeon to the footsteps
of a throne!"—Malleson, Vol. IV, page 379. Says Gubbins :—
"The Moulvie of Fyzabad was released from jail by the mutineers.
251