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

THE FALL OF LUCKNOW
following one upon another, the chief minister of revenue
of the Begum, Raja Balkrishna Singh, died. Hardly was
his wound healed when the Moulvie again rushed into the
field—on the 15th of February. He was anxious to finish
Outram before Sir Colin was able to return from Cawn-
pore. But, day by day, the cowardice of the Sepoys was
increasing beyond measure. All the Moulvie's efforts were
thus baffled and, on that day too, the Revolutionaries
were defeated. But he went on fighting still. Amazed
at the bravery of this man, the historian Holmes records
in his book ; “ If, however, the mass of the rebels were
cowards, their leader was a man fitted both by his spirit
and his capacity to support a great cause and to command
a great army. This was Ammadullah—the Moulvie of
Fyzabad.”⁹ All those who were fighting with the incom-
parable strength of calm philosophy fought bravely. The
brave Subahdar of the 60th regiment swore to drive away
the English from Alam Bagh in eight days and worked
hard in the field to effect his purpose. One day, the Begum
herself came on the field with all the army. But the un-
fortunate Lucknow could not get any victory.
not fight as well as the match-lock-men of Oudh who have followed
their chiefs to maintain the cause of their young king, Birjis Kadir,
and who may be fairly regarded as engaged in a patriotic war for
their country and their sovereign. The Sepoys during the siege of
the Residency never came on as boldly as the Zemindari levies and
Nujeibs. The Begum exhibits great energy and ability. She has
excited all Oudh to take up the interests of her son and the chiefs
have sworn to be faithful to him. We affect to disbelieve his legiti-
macy but the Zemindars who ought to be better judges of the fact
accept Birjis Kadir without hesitation. Will Government treat these
men as rebels or as honourable enemies? The Begum declares un-
dying war against us. It appears from the energetic characters of
these Ranees and Begums that they acquire in their Zenanas and
harems a considerable amount of actual mental power and, at all
events, become able intrigantes. Their contests for the ascendency
over the minds of men give vigour and acuteness to their intellect.”
—Russell's Diary, page 275.
9. Sepoy War by Holmes.
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