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

THE CONFLAGRATION
not arranged the forces as she would have liked him to.
It must be borne in mind, however, that it was not possi-
ble to make effective arrangements, either for Rao Sahib
or Tatia Tope. Though in that place, the Nabob of
Banda, the Raja of Shahgarh, and the Raja of Banapur
had all gathered together under the same flag, they had
not gathered together as the organised and disciplined
parts of a grand military force, moved by oneness of
heart, with a unity of plan and constitution, sustained by
strict military discipline and subordination. No one
could get his ideas carried out. But, in the opposing
army, there was no such conflict amongst leaders. It
seemed that the whole organisation was perfect and well-
controlled. Before Sir Hugh Rose was appointed com-
mander, there was heated discussion and difference of
opinion ; but, once he was the commander, his opinion
was the opinion of all. Whatever orders he issued were
right ; and, even if they were not right, they must be
obeyed. And even mistaken orders of a weak general
carried out by the obedient and unanimous bravery of
the troops under him, become successful—are bound to
become successful. On the other hand, even well-planned
orders of a capable general lead to disaster and defeat,
through the self-willed behaviour of the troops and the
lack of oneness in command and proper subordination.
Otherwise the rout at Kunchgaon could never have taken
place. As soon as Sir Hugh Rose came from Jhansi, the
Revolutionaries met him at Kunchgaon. Knowing that
the mid-day sun was unbearable to the English, the Re-
volutionaries had ordered in one of their commands,
" None should engage in a fight with the Feringhis before
ten in the morning. The fight should begin always after
ten." This very clever rule was put into practice this
day. Much havoc was thereby created in the English
army as happened on many other occasions where the
fight took place after ten. But, in spite of this, the Revo-
lutionaries were defeated at Kunchgaon and retired to-
Published by Asian Educational Services, New Delhi, 2014.
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