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

THE CONFLAGRATION
the handful of brave Revolutionaries who had been en-
trapped in this building did not surrender at all. When
they could no longer discharge volleys of shots, they threw
away their guns, drew out their swords, and fell fiercely
on the British foe. They did not allow the enemy to
occupy the Idga building, until every one of them was
killed and fell fighting at his post !
On the 18th of June, the Sepoys who had rebelled at
Nasirabad came to Delhi, and delivered over the treasure
that they had brought with them to the royal authorities ;
and their representatives were received by the Emperor
himself in the palace; and they were treated with due ho-
nour and respect. At the Durbar, the representatives of the
Sepoys of this regiment took oath to attack the English
army on the 20th of June. Accordingly, the morning of the
20th of June saw the hosts of Revolutionaries leaving the
gates of the city and marching towards the foreign foe.
In order to attack the English forces on their rear, the
Sepoys stole forth through Sabzi Mundi and, taking the
English by surprise, they opened fire with terrible effect
and advanced against the English. Scott, Money, Tombs,
and other English officers tried their utmost by heavy
cannonading to stop the onslaught, but the tenacity with
which the Indian army pushed on was irresistible. The
brigade from Nasirabad pushed on with such destructive
force that the brave Tombs cried out, through supreme
despondency, “ Run on, Daly, run on ! or my cannon are
lost to the enemies ! ” Daly did come on with the Indians
of the Panjab but, in a short time, was sent back by the
Revolutionaries with a bullet lodged in his shoulder. As
the evening approached, the Revolutionaries decidedly got
the upper hand. Again, they pressed on, nay, almost
captured the British guns. The 9th lancers and the loyal
Panjabees, though they more than once came rushing
against them, had to retire precipitately. The night set
in, but the field was still hotly contested. The English
did their best but could do nothing further than to save
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