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

NANA SAHIB AND LAKSHMI BAI
living in Cawnpore, used to pay a visit with his "mem-
sahib" to the town of Maharaja Nana Sahib, and
presents of rich shawls and valuable pearls and diamonds
were made to them on the occasion of their leaving
Brahmavarta.⁷ It may be seen clearly from this that the
poison of individual hatred never touched the noble soul
of Nana. The elevated and heroic ideal, of generously
treating those very enemies with social courtesy and
obligation, whom, on the battlefield, you would remorse-
lessly destroy, has again and again been celebrated in the
epics and histories of Hindusthan. The Rajput heroes
used to treat their bitterest enemies with splendid genero-
sity. Be it noted, therefore, in this connection, that there
was considerable cordiality between Nana and the Eng-
lish at this time.⁸ As long as they could feast at the palace
of the Shrimant, the English officers and their wives were
heaping friendly praise upon him, but as soon as he lifted
the Sword of righteousness in the cause of Swaraj and
Swadesh on the battlefield of Cawnpore, what ignominy
and what low abuse they heaped on him !
Shrimant was well educated, and had the refinement
of culture. He took great interest in politics and political
affairs. He used to watch and closely study the ever-
changing affairs of great nations, and for that purpose
would closely follow the English press. He used to have
the daily papers read to him every morning by Mr. Tod,
an Englishman afterwards massacred at Cawnpore. He
thus was able to observe, with his lynx-eye, all the political
changes in England and in India. When heated discus-
sions were taking place over the question of annexing
7. Trevelyan's Cawnpore, pp. 68-69.
8. 'Nothing could exceed the cordiality which he constantly
displayed in his intercourse with our countrymen. The persons in
authority placed an implicit confidence in his friendliness and good
faith, and the ensigns emphatically pronounced him a capital fellow."
—Trevelyan's Cawnpore.
37