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

NANA SAHIB AND LAKSHMI BAI
Before his death, Baji Rao made a will by which he be-
queathed all the rights of succession and powers of the
Peshwa to his adopted son Nana Sahib. But immediately
on the news of Baji Rao's death, the English Government
announced that Nana Sahib had no right whatsoever to
the pension of eight lakhs. What must have Nana Sahib
thought on hearing this decision of the English? The
conflict of passions in his heart is portrayed to some
extent in the despatch written under his direction. It
says : " It is simply unjust that the high family of the
Peshwa should be treated by the Company so lightly as
this. When our throne and kingdom were handed over to
the Company by Shrimant Bajirao, it was done so on the
condition that the Company should pay eight lakhs of
Rupees every year, as its price. If this pension is not to
last for ever, how can the surrender of the kingdom,
which was given as a consideration for this pension, last
for ever in your hands? That one party alone should be
bound by the contract, while the other intentionally fails
to do its part is absurd, unjust, and inconsistent.” ² Then
follows a clear and well reasoned passage refuting the
theory that he, being an adopted son, cannot get his
father's rights, citing authorities from Hindu Shastras,
from rules of politics and customary law. After that, the
despatch of Nana Sahib continues :—" The Company puts
forward another excuse to cease to pay the pension,
namely that Bajirao II has saved a considerable sum
which is quite sufficient to defray the expenses of his
family. But the Company forgets that the pension was
given as a condition of the treaty, and there is no single
clause in the treaty directing the mode in which the pen-
sion should be spent. The pension is the price of the
kingdom given, and Bajirao would have been justified
had he saved even the whole of the pension! We ask the
Company whether they have got the least right to question
the manner in which the pension is expended? Nay, can
2. Nana's Claims against the East India Company.
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