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

THE CONFLAGRATION
ed the British and cut down many of them. At last,
Smith was forced to retire ; he gave up the attempt of
breaking the mass and began to turn to another side,
leaving the nest of the cobra alone !
Thus closed the day and thus rose the 18th of the month!
This day, the English had resolved to make desperate
charges. From all directions, they advanced on the fort,
and tried their utmost. General Smith, forced to retire
the day before, was very determined to-day and, aided
by re-inforcements, he charged the same Jhansi side he
had gone for the day before. Sir Hugh Rose thought
that his presence was also absolutely necessary and so he
was personally present with the force attacking the Jhansi
side. The Ranee too was ready for him with all her
forces. “ She was ready with all her soul to do her duty.”
That day, she wore a Chanderi turban embroidered all
over, a tamamee cloak, and pyjamas. A pearl necklace
was round her neck. Her famous steed being tired that
day, a new, fresh-looking horse was made ready for her,
fully caparisoned. While her two beautiful maids were
taking sherbet, news came that the English were advanc-
ing. Lakshmi immediately darted forward from her tent.
The arrow flies not so rapidly, the lightning flashes not
forth with such force from the clouds, a lioness leaves
not her lair so quickly to fall upon the approaching ele-
phant ! She rode her horse, lifted her sword, and charged
the enemy with her army. An English writer says, “ Im-
mediately, the beautiful Ranee went over the field and
made a firm stand against the array of Sir Hugh Rose.
She led her troops to repeated and fierce attacks and,
though her ranks were pierced through and were gradual-
ly becoming thinner and thinner, the Ranee was seen in
the foremost rank, rallying her shattered troops and per-
forming prodigies of valour. But all was of no avail.
The camel corps, pushed up by Sir Hugh Rose in person,
broke her last line. Still the dauntless and heroic Ranee
held her own.”
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