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

THE CONFLAGRATION
lost by a minute, sometimes, cannot be regained in an
epoch. A drop of blood could have given you victory
then, but, now, even fountains of blood will give you only
fame, but victory is difficult. In the whirlwind of Revo-
lutions, the loss of a single moment spoils the whole plan.
One step back means disaster. The momentary hankering
after life is sure to bring permanent death to the cause !
Blood was abundantly shed in other places also than in
Sikandar Bagh. Dilkhwush, Alam Bagh, and Shah Najaf
were giving a terrible battle to the enemy that day and
that night. In the early morning, all the bells of Lucknow
city began to peal, drums began to beat, and again the
wounded city began to give a fierce battle to the enemy.
The fight at Moti Mahal to-day is not a whit less fierce
than that at Shah Najaf yesterday. But, in the end, the
English got decidedly the upper hand and the English
army was enabled to relieve its compatriots so long shut
up in the Residency. On the 17th, 18th, 19th, right up
to the 23rd, the battle raged at Lucknow and, at last, the
besieged army and the relieving army met each other. The
Residency, over which so long hung the shadow of death,
now assumed a pleasant smile. But, even now, the Revo-
lutionaries did not heed the English victory. Though the
two armies had united and the whole city of Lucknow was
swimming in a sea of blood, they would talk neither of
surrender nor of retreat ! On account of this obstinate
courage on their part, it was always uncertain when the
fighting would be over. So, Sir Colin began again to re-
form the British army. He evacuated the Residency and
collected all the troops in Dilkhwush Bagh. He kept four
thousand men and twenty-five guns in Alam Bagh under
the command of Outram. He made all arrangements
necessary for the future struggle. And for the victory
that had been gained, he very properly praised the
army for its bravery, discipline, and . obedience. Of
this praise, the greatest portion was deservedly given
to Havelock.
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