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

MOULVIE AHMAD SHAH
and had killed their English officer? The steady and firm
step of these men, that resolute answer, and that
fearless simplicity of behaviour drove away all sus-
picion about them, and the watchmen replied “Al-
right!” The ‘daring band entered unopposed into
the English camp, obtained all the information that
they wanted, and came out all unscathed to report
it to their master!
Having thus informed himself of the exact situation and
the plan of the British camp, the Moulvie quickly formed
his plans, marched ahead, and took possession of a village
four miles from Bari. The plan of the Moulvie was that,
while his infantry should hold this village against the
enemy, his cavalry should march ahead by a secret route
and should wheel round and attack the rear of the British
forces. He knew it for certain that the next morning the
British general was coming to that very place, suspecting
no harm and in a perfect sense of security. As soon as
this unwary prey came into the trap, the Moulvie’s in-
fantry was to attack him from the front, while his cavalry
was to fall on the enemy’s flanks or rear. Malleson says :
“It was really a brilliant idea and did credit to
his tactical skill.”
There were two things most necessary for the success of
this brilliant design. The one thing was to keep perfect
secrecy about the forces of the Moulvie in the village;
and the other was that the cavalry that was to make a
flank attack should not sally forth and put the enemy
on his guard before the front attack should be begun. The
Moulvie did whatever he had to do. He sent his cavalry
from Bari that same night by the route agreed on; he
quietly took possession of the village and succeeded in
concealing himself there, and so cleverly that the next
morning actually saw the unsuspecting British general
approaching the banks of the river. Half an hour more
and the British forces would be done for!
445