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

THE SUMMING UP
the rivers, pools of blood in the streets—everywhere
“ peace and safety ! ”
It was then, that the fog at Calcutta cleared. On the 12th
of June, all the English residents began to organize a
corps of volunteers. English shopkeepers, clerks, writers,
civil officers,—in short, all Englishmen were hastily en-
rolled in the military list ; they were taught drill and rifle
practice. The work was done so quickly and energetically
that, in three weeks, a whole brigade of the newly-drilled
volunteer recruits was formed. The brigade consisted of
cavalry, infantry, and artillery ; since they were thought
capable of protecting Calcutta, that work was given to
them ; and the Government got the opportunity of sending
the professional English soldiers to parts where the Revo-
lution was in full swing.
On the 13th of June, Lord Canning called a meeting of
the legislative council and got a law passed against news-
papers. For, as soon as the Revolution began, the Indian
newspapers of Bengal had begun to write articles openly
sympathising with and encouraging the Revolution.
On Sunday, the 14th of June, a carnival of “ peace and
safety ” was celebrated at Calcutta, also. We shall des-
cribe that day’s scenes best through an English pen. “All
was panic, disorder, and dismay. The wildest reports
were in circulation. It was all but universally credited
that the Barrackpore brigade was in full march on Calcutta,
that the people in the Suburbs had already risen, that the
king of Oudh with his followers was plundering Garden
Reach. Those highest in office were the first to give the
alarm. There were secretaries to Government, running
over to Members of Council, loading their pistols, barricad-
ing the doors, sleeping on sofas ; Members of Council
abandoning their houses with their families, and taking
refuge on board the ship ; crowds of lesser celebrities im-
pelled by these examples having hastily collected their
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