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

THE READING OF EMPEROR BAHADUR SHAH'S PROCLAMATION
OF 1857, AT HIS DARBAR IN THE DIWAN-I-AAM, DELHI
As soon as Bahadur Shah II was proclaimed the sovereign of India
he held a Darbar at Delhi and issued a proclamation calling upon
all, high and low, Hindus and Muslims, to gather together under
the flag of Revolution. Says the Proclamation—
“To all Hindus
and Mahomedans! We, solely on account of religious duty, have
joined with the people. Whoever shall, in these times, exhibit
cowardice or credulously believe the promises of the English impos-
tors, will be very shortly put in shame and receive the reward
for their fidelity to England which the rulers of Lucknow got.
It is further necessary that all, Hindus and Mahomedans, unite in
this struggle and following the instructions of some respectable
leaders, conduct themselves in such a way that good rule may be
maintained, the poorer classes kept contented, and they themselves
be exalted to rank and dignity. Let all, as far as it is possible,
copy this proclamation and fix it in some prominent place escaping
detection if prudence requires it, and strike a blow with the sword
before giving circulation to it!”