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

MOULVIE AHMAD SHAH
spies employed by the British were on the alert, and one
of them flew with the intelligence of his dangerous vicinity
to Colonel Hale at Shahjahanpur." As soon as this
traitorous spy brought the news, the British commander
moved into the newly-built fortified position with his
soldiers. The Moulvie pressed on, though now his prey
was awake and occupying a strong position. He attacked
and occupied the town, captured the fort, and levied a
tax on the rich inhabitants of the place for the supplies
of his forces. Even Malleson admits that, "in acting
thus, he simply conformed to the custom of war in
Europe." Not only this; but in a war of independence,
when a handful of noble spirits offer their fresh blood to
wipe off the shame and slavery of a whole nation, it is
the duty of the people to support them voluntarily. After
taking possession of the town the Moulvie brought eight
guns, and began a cannonade on the fortified place where
his foe was under shelter.
When this news reached Sir Colin at Bareilly on the 7th
of May though he was surprised, his joy knew no bounds.
The lost opportunity, which had worried the Commander-
in-Chief so much ever since the escape of the Moulvie
some days before, seemed now about to be restored by
the action of the Moulvie himself. And therefore, taking
the utmost precaution possible, Sir Colin started by forced
marches to pounce upon his prey. Now, it was clear
that there was no loop-hole whatsoever left through which
the Moulvie Ahmad Shah could escape. From the 11th
of May, for three days there was a continuous fight. It
was, indeed, impossible for the Moulvie to escape. So,
from all sides the different Revolutionary leaders brought
all their forces together, in order to save this most popular
and most energetic of patriots. The Begum of Ayodhya,
Mayyan Sahib, the King of Mahmadi, the Prince Feroze
Shah of Delhi, Nana Sahib of Cawnpore—all these leaders
poured in with their forces, before the 15th of May, to
help the flag of liberty, now in such immediate danger in
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