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

AYODHYA
Oudh. This new Nabob determined from the first to des-
troy the poisonous white worm which was killing the life
out of the state, and with that object began reforms in the
army which was the life of the kingdom. This youthful
prince introduced strict regulations as to the discipline
of the Sepoys and even personally supervised their drill.
All the regiments had to undergo the drill every morning
before the Nabob, who used to dress in the uniform of
the commander-in-chief of the troops. He issued strict
orders that every regiment that was late in presenting
itself on the parade ground should be liable to a fine of
Rs. 2000 (£200) and he, at the same time, bound him-
self to pay the same amount as fine if he himself failed
in this duty.²
The Company, of course, could not bear to see the
Nabob develop his strength. The British Resident, there-
fore, in a short time forced the Nabob to give up these
military activities and at the same time suggested that,
if he so desired to increase the strength of the army, the
Company was quite willing to increase the “ subsidiary ”
force ; the only condition they would impose being that
the Nabob should, every year, pay a further additional
sum towards its expenses and upkeep. The hotblooded
Nabob was quite indignant. But he was forced to give
up his darling scheme of military reform and was reduced
to complete inactivity. Yet, the benevolent East India
Company went on arguing that the Nabob should render
his administration happy to his subjects.
But now, the Nabob need not even think as to how to
render his rule happy. For Lord Dalhousie has arrived
in India with the express and benevolent object of taking
upon himself (as representative of the E. I. Coy.) all the
responsibility for the good administration of all the inde-
pendent states of India. With his keen political insight,
2. Native Narratives of the Mutiny by Metcalfe, pp. 32-33.
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