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

THE CONFLAGRATION
of Tehri are helping the Feringhis, surrounded as you are
by treachery and disloyalty, betrayed by relations as by
strangers, you have not the slightest hope of success. Why
not then avoid extinction by surrendering to the English ?
But, surrender ? And for the Ranee of Jhansi ? Dewan
Lakshman Rao, Moro Punt Tambe, brave Thakurs and
Sirdars, all heroes of Liberty, if you surrender, you will be
saved ; if you fight, you will die. Which will you choose ?
Jhansi answered from her thousand mouths, sternly, in
the words of the Scripture, “ As everyone who is born
must die, why sully fair fame uselessly ? ”
So, it was determined to give battle to the English for
the honour of the country. And Jhansi was busy by
night and by day preparing for the fight. Brave men,
there were many in her army ; but trained men, there
were very few. Want of discipline was very apparent.
The queen herself, however, led the whole army. On
every rampart and every gate, she was moving about
actively ; she was standing where guns were being planted
and moved into position ; she was busy selecting clever
gunners ; and she was to be found everywhere inspiring
heroism even in the coldest hearts. The learned Brahmins
of Jhansi were praying for the success of the country. Its
temples blessed the soldier who went to the field, and
tended the wounded who returned from battle ; its work-
men were busy preparing ammunition and other neces-
saries for war. The men of Jhansi manned their guns,
loaded the muskets ; its women carried ammunition, built
Top Khanas, supplied provisions.³ When the night of
the 23rd fell, sounds of battle-drums were heard through-
out the town and lighted torches shone forth at frequent
intervals from the fort. The guards fired a few shots too.
The morning of the 24th approached. No more delay
3. “The women were seen working in the batteries and carry-
ing ammunition, etc.”—Sir Hugh Rose.
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