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

THE CONFLAGRATION
While these arrests were going on in the province, Mr.
Tayler came to know the names of several leaders in the
city and he resolved to surprise them. The Revolutionary
secret meetings used to take place in the house of the
leaders at night and, though Tayler had no definite infor-
mation about the names of the persons who were implicat-
ed in, or the general programme formed, still he had no
doubt about the complicity of three most influential Mul-
lahs of the place. He thought it necessary to arrest them at
once. However, there was the fear that an attempt to
arrest them openly would, perhaps, precipitate the revolt
he wanted to suppress. So, the honest officer struck upon
a new plan. One day, select citizens were hospitably
invited to Mr. Tayler's house to confer with him on im-
portant political matters. When all the guests had arrived,
he came up with the Sikhs ; and when, after some con-
versation, the company were taking leave to depart, Tay-
ler stopped the three Moulvies, who were also among the
guests, and informed them smilingly that, as it was
dangerous to leave them at liberty in the then troublous
times, they were arrested ! However, this act was applaud-
ed everywhere on the pretext that it was for the
good of the English power and all admired Tayler's
energetic action.
After having thus arrested the prominent Revolutionary
leaders without shedding a drop of blood, Tayler decided
to strike at the town of Patna, while it was still confused
at the suddenness of the arrests. He therefore issued an
order to disarm the town and prohibited the people from
leaving their houses after 9 P.M. This order rendered the
nightly meetings of secret societies impossible. The storing
of arms, also, became difficult. So long, the Revolutionary
society at Patna was awaiting the signal to rise from
Danapur. But, when this life-killing procedure began,
they resolved to rise suddenly and boldly. rather than be
crippled by it. On the 3rd of July, Mussalmans began to
crowd towards the house of a leader, Peer Ali by name.
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