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

THE FALL OF LUCKNOW
"From the very outset, it has been gradually assuming
more and more the character of a rebellion—a rebellion
on the part of vast multitudes beyond the Sepoy army,
against British supremacy and sovereignty. Our real
contest was never wholly, and now less than ever, with
mutinous Sepoys. Had we only Sepoys for our foes, the
country might soon have been pacified.
" Never has the enemy been met without being routed,
scattered, and his guns taken. But, though constantly
beaten, he evermore rallies and appears again, ready for
a fresh encounter. No sooner is one city taken or relieved
than some other one is threatened. No sooner is one
district pronounced safe through the influx of British
troops than another is disturbed and convulsed. No
sooner is a highway reopened between places of import-
ance than it is again closed and all communication is for
a season cut off. No sooner are the mutineers scored out
of one locality than they reappear with double or treble
force in another locality. No sooner does a moveable
column force its way through hostile ranks than these
reoccupy the territory behind it. All gaps in the number
of the foe seem to be instantaneously filled up and no
permanent clearance or impression seems to be made
anywhere. The passage of our brave little armies through
these swarming myriads, instead of leaving the deep
traces of a mighty ploughshare through a roughened field,
seems more to resemble that of the eagle through the
elastic air or a stately vessel through the unfurrowed
ocean ! ” 16
The truth described so picturesquely by Duff was realised
by the English only at the end ; but every individual of
the Panday party had thoroughly realised it long, long
before. Those who died on the field for their country
and their king were, of course, giving expression to such

16. Dr. Duff’s Indian Rebellion, pages 241-243.
    415