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

DELHI FALLS
"There were four times as many natives as Europeans
in the artillery. For every European horseman there were
two native horsemen. It was not possible to move a step
without the help of the natives." The vigorous life in
one part of the country was killed by the treacherous
activity in other parts. In spite of this, even towards
the end of August, the Revolutionaries gave the English
no opportunity to attack, but always pursued the offensive
and continuously directed attacks on the English camp.
This is not a mean indication of their devotion to the
principle of Swaraj.
While all this heroic devotion on the part of the Revolu-
tionaries was rendered powerless for want of a capable
leader, the camp of the enemy got the advantage of a
commander like Nicholson. Now was to be seen, for the
first time, a shadow of despair in Delhi. The armies of
Neemuch and Bareilly began to accuse each other for the
present state of affairs ; and riotous Sepoys, though regu-
larly paid, clamoured for more pay and threatened to loot
the rich men of the town if their demands were not satis-
fied. Then, at the command of the Emperor, Bakht Khan
assembled together the Sepoy leaders, Sepoys, and pro-
minent citizens and asked them the question, "War or
surrender!" At once, the cry went ringing up to the
sky, "War, war, war!" (Ladhai!) At this display of
enthusiasm there was hope everywhere, and the Revolu-
tionary army, not excepting the Bareilly and Neemuch
Sepoys, marched towards Najafgarh to attack and carry
the English siege-train. After reaching Najafgarh, the
Neemuch army would not encamp where the Bareilly
brigade was encamped; and, instead of preparing to fall
together on the enemy, they disobeyed Bakht Khan's
orders and encamped at a neighbouring village. When
the English heard this news, the new commander, Nichol-
son, took a select and sufficient force and marched in all
haste towards Najafgarh. He suddenly attacked the Nee-
much brigade which had encamped at a distance disobey-
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