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

THE CHAIN OF CAUSES
barbarously treated that General Arthur Wellesley would
drive the wounded sepoys to the mouth of guns instead of
sending them to the hospital !
While the English had thus been sowing the seeds of dis-
content and hatred in almost all parts of Hindusthan,
the time soon came when it appeared that their efforts
would soon be crowned with success. The danger to the
independence of India was first perceived by Nana
Farnavis of Poona and Hyder Sahib of Mysore. From
that day onwards the presence of this danger began to be
seen, faintly at least, by the princes of India ; and its
effect was markedly seen in the “mutiny” at Vellore.
This rising at Vellore was a rehearsal of the great rising
of 1857. Just as in a theatre, before the actual perform-
ance, several rehearsals have to be gone through, so in
history, before the actual and final attainment of freedom,
in order to harmonise the whole performance, several
rehearsals in the shape of risings are necessary. In Italy,
the rehearsals started as early as 1821, and only in 1861
was the play successful. The Rising at Vellore in 1806
was such a rehearsal on a small scale. In this rising, the
sepoys had been won over by the princes and people. At
markets, preachers disguised as Fakirs were preaching.
To indicate the time of rising, chapatees even had been
distributed. Hindus and Mahomedans together had risen
in the name of religion and liberty. But this being the
first rehearsal, they fell even as they were rising. Never
mind ! Before the final performance, how many rehear-
sals have to be gone through ! Only the actors should
boldly stick to their tasks and never cease their rehearsals.
And for producing this drama, both England and India
were working day and night without rest. And those that
were making ready to take part in the play were not
common, poor, or ignorant folk. The Gadi of Tanjore,
the Masnad of Mysore, the Raigarh of Sahyadri, the
Dewan-i-Khas of Delhi were among the select actors. And
to crown all, Lord Dalhousie landed on the shores of
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