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

OFFERING IN THE SACRIFICIAL FIRE
thirty-two guns! The Rao Sahib Peshwa ordered the
Raja to pay twenty-five lakhs of Rupees as fine. The
Raja pleaded for mercy and, at last, it was agreed that
he should pay fifteen lakhs. Tatia was in this place for
five days. He distributed pay to the army at the rate of
thirty Rupees a month to every cavalry-soldier and twelve
to every infantry-man. Afterwards Rao Sahib, Tatia,
and the Nabob of Bhanda began to deliberate upon their
future plan of action in the south. The chief aim of the
Peshwa army was to cross the Narbada and enter the
Deccan. To oppose this, the English had woven nets of
different armies and were guarding well nigh every outlet.
But Tatia had now acquired thirty-two guns, a new army,
new provisions and money, and was better prepared to
continue the struggle. So, he silently whispered to his
companions, "Now, the next move must be on Indore!"
This brilliant idea was quite in accordance with Tatia's
daring. With not so much as one regular regiment in
his hand, he had created new armies, new crowns, and
new kingdoms. To a man of such magical talent, the
plan of marching to Indore was not impossible to execute.
It is the duty of the chief, Holkar, to help his master,
the Peshwa. If he were not to do it willingly, service
should be exacted from him by the Peshwa. The Indore
army had secretly pledged itself to support Tatia. Even
the Indore Durbar was secretly sending invitations to
him! Therefore, Tatia decided to play his game. He
marched hastily from Pattan towards the south, rushed
into Malwa, and appeared suddenly at Raigarh!
Now, in pursuit of Tatia, there were marching, from dif-
ferent directions, the English commanders, Roberts,
Holmes, Parke, Mitchell, Hope and Lockhart. All of
them were thrown into consternation when they heard
that Tatia was marching upon Indore. One moved from
Mhow; one ran towards Nalkhera; one hesitated whether
he should go to Raigarh or not. General Mitchell had
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