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

THE FALL OF LUCKNOW
the fully-equipped English stop at the door of Itawa.
Itawa blocked the passage of the English army notwith-
standing the guns and cannon that it carried, because
Itawa had not yet received its usual toll due to it as of
right. That toll was that everyone who dared enter the
threshold of Itawa against its wishes should fight first.
The challenge was “Fight first!” These twenty-five men
had determined to sell their lives dear, though escape was
easy. They stood determined there and only asked for a
fight. What battle could be given to these handful of
people in this building ? If probably they waited for a
few minutes, these mad people would come to their senses
and make their escape, which was yet open to them—so
thought the English. But though they waited long, there
seemed no possible chance of the “mutineers” coming
to their senses. So, an engagement was at last decided
upon. The mere show of the artillery would, it was
thought, be sufficient to make them fly. The English,
therefore, exhibited their artillery and tried to frighten
the Revolutionaries.
But, fear could exist only in the hearts of ordinary mortals.
Those who, charmed by the ideal of independence, wel-
comed death as the only means of achieving the ideal—
who could succeed in frightening these? Who fights for
victory fears; who battles for glory, even, may fear;
but who could frighten him who fights for death alone?
The utmost one can be afraid of is death! But he who
has overstepped those limits and who smiles on death,
what could frighten him? What could come in the way
of such a man? Not all the thunders and all the lightn-
ings of dread heaven could stop his progress; for his
progress is towards death and those elements are
only rendering his task easier. He who hopes for
death alone has no room for despair. These national
heroes of Itawa who courted death in battle with
the ardour of a lover for his love, what could frighten
them, then?
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