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

CAWNPORE AND JHANSI
successful plan would be to harass the English in various
places. Above all, as Cawnpore to a great extent com-
manded the line of communications between the Panjab,
Delhi, and Calcutta, it was necessary to strike a blow at
Cawnpore and capture it. When the Subahdar’s and
Nana’s men had explained all this to the Sepoys, it was
unanimously decided to turn back towards Cawnpore.
The three thousand Sepoys elected Nana Sahib their King
and expressed an ardent desire to see him. When he
appeared, he was hailed with tremendous enthusiasm and
they saluted him with all royal honours. When the elec-
tion of the King was over, with his consent, the Sepoys
proceeded to elect their officers; Subahdar Tikka Singh,
the very life of the Revolutionary centre at Cawnpore, was
elected the chief commander of the cavalry and was given
the title of “General.” New army regulations were issued.
Jamadar Dalganjan Singh was made the colonel of the
53rd regiment, and Subahdar Ganga Din of the 56th regi-
ment. Then, there was a grand procession of the flag of
freedom on the back of an elephant, and on the same day
it was proclaimed by beat of drum that Nana Sahib had
commenced to reign.
After these elections, Nana Sahib did not waste even a
second. When the English received the information that
the Sepoys did not go to Delhi but had stopped on the
way, they entrenched themselves in the new fort and had
their artillery ready. Their number was about one thou-
sand, men, women, and children all told. It was of the
first importance to capture this fortified place, and Nana
Sahib ordered the whole army to march thither. The Eng-
lish were not certain that the Revolutionaries would attack
them; but, early on the morning of the 6th, Sir Wheeler
received a note. It was from Nana Sahib and was
couched in the following terms :—“ We are going to begin
the attack. We want to warn you, and therefore send this
previous notice to you.” When he received this invitation
to fight, Sir Wheeler got ready all his officers and soldiers
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THE ERUPTION
and artillery men, and made all necessary preparations
for the fight.
The fact that, before beginning the battle, Nana Sahib
gave a previous written notice to the English when it was
in no way called for, is of the greatest importance. The
English would certainly not have shown this generosity
had they been in Nana’s place. Those, who always try
to pour foul disgrace on Nana Sahib’s name, should bend
their heads with shame at this act of natural gallantry !
If we remember these two facts, the saving of the lives of
all English officers at the time of the rising and the twelve
hours’ previous written notice given by Nana Sahib, and
then read the final scenes, we will appreciate better the
real situation at Cawnpore.
Soon after sending the notice of battle to the English
Subahdar (now General) Tikka Sigh went towards the
arsenal and was busy, all the morning, arranging the arms
etc. and sending them to the place of attack. Guns were
pointed against the English fort from the side of the river
as well as from land. The plan of the attack was formed
with true military skill. At the same time, the Cawnpore
town was also in a tumult ! Spinners, sword-smiths, and
people from the bazaar, Mussalmans, and the influential
silver-merchants—everybody took anything that came to
hand and were looking for Englishmen. Offices, courts,
and all English records, old and new, were burnt, and
those Englishmen that forgot to betake themselves to the
fort were killed. It was now mid-day. At about one the
English fort began to be besieged, and, about evening,
the guns began to boom and the attack commenced.
The English had about eight cannon and plenty of ammu-
nition which they had already kept buried in the fort. The
Revolutionaries, also, had captured the arsenal and the
big guns and they too were not hard up for ammunition.
General Tikka Singh had from the first kept the artillery
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CAWNPORE AND JHANSI
in excellent condition. Nana Sahib’s guns played great
havoc on the English buildings within the fort. When, on
the 7th of June, the artillery of the Revolutionaries began
to do its terrible work, English women and children, who
had never been in such a plight before, began to run about
here and there crying frantically. But habit took away
the terror even of death, and balls flying over the heads
created no greater surprise than birds flying in the air.
Two days after the attack was commenced, the supply of
water in the fort began to fall short. There was only one
well within the fort which was of any use but the Revolu-
tionaries had a keener eye on it than the English soldiers
themselves. The heat of the sun was so strong that the
soldiers would die of sunstroke. All hearts became hard-
ened like stone. The difference between the sexes, and
modesty, vanished. Children died for want of milk and
sorrow killed the mothers. Let alone burying the dead,
but it even became impossible to inquire who was dead
and who was alive. For even while making a list of the
living, some name would have to be scored off. To draw
a true picture of such situations, the best way is to describe
the events of a typical hour. Captain Thomas, relating
his experiences, says : “While Armstrong was lying wound-
ed, Lieutenant Prole came to see him. Just as he uttered
a few words of consolation, a bullet from the Sepoys struck
him in the thigh and he fell down. With his hand on
my shoulder and mine round his waist, I began to lift him
to take him to the sergeant. Before I had gone many steps,
there was a buzzing noise and a bullet entered my shoulder.
I and Prole both fell dying on the floor. Seeing this,
Gilbert Bucks came running towards us. But the enemy’s
bullet came after him, pierced his body through, and he
fell at once in the jaws of Death.” This account of one
hour gives a good idea of the history of those twenty-one
days ! When Sir Wheeler’s son was wounded, his two
sisters and his mother were giving him medical assistance
in a room. But, before he could take the medicine, there
was a fearful explosion and a cannon ball carried away
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THE ERUPTION
the young man's head. While Magistrate Hillersden was
talking to his wife in the verandah, a twenty pound can-
non ball burst on his head and he was blown to pieces.
A few days later, the wall on which the widow was lean-
ing collapsed and she met her death. There were seven
women in a ditch near the fort. A bomb exploded and
not only killed them all, but it also killed the English
soldier who, before the rising, had shot the Sepoy and had
been acquitted as not guilty. So at last the guns of the
Sepoys also went off ! And, when they did go off, it was
in such a manner that succeeding English soldiers will
remember it for ever, even when under the influence
of drink !
In this terrible siege, there were, also, some foolish Indians
who thought it their duty to be faithful to the English.
They were there, in the jaws of death, simply for the sake
of "loyalty" ! An Indian nurse in the employ of the
English lost both her arms by a bomb explosion. Butlers
running about here and there to give hot food to their
masters also fell dead frequently by shells. Indian bhishtis
often risked their lives to give water to the English.
Water was so scarce that children would suck the leather
bags containing water ! Cholera, dysentery, and typhoid
also did not fail to take their revenge on the English.
Sir George Parker, Colonel Williams, and Lieutenant
Rooney died through illness. Those that did not succumb
to shells or sickness went insane from the terrific fright
of the ghastly living cemetery. Such was the pandemo-
nium there. So, in return for the cruel wrongs of a century,
Revenge incarnate was crushing everyone she found in her
terrific jaws for twenty-one days, and was dancing with
a ghastly smile !
While such was the state within the fort, the English guns
placed outside did great service in the fight. Chief officers
of the artillery, Ashe, Captain Moore, Captain Thomson,
and other brave soldiers fought with a splendid valour.
224

CAWNPORE AND JHANSI
The English had great hopes of speedy succour from Luck-
now or Allahabad. On account of the strict scouting of
the Revolutionaries, it had become impossible to carry on
correspondence. Still, an Indian messenger had carried
as far as Lucknow a letter by Sir Wheeler, partly in Latin,
partly in French, and partly in English, and packed in
the quill of a bird. It said only, "Help! Help!! Help!!!
Send us help or we are dying! If we get help, we will
come and save Lucknow!" But, the vigilance of the
Revolutionaries was usually so good that hardly any such
messenger from the English camp could get back there
safe. The English often sent scouts, empowering them
to promise lakhs of Rupees if they could find any traitors
in the Revolutionary camp. But not one lived to return
and give information! For example, we will give an ac-
count given by one of the scouts himself. "When Mr.
Shepherd lost his wife and daughter, he undertook the
task of getting information from the Revolutionaries' camp
and sowing dissensions in Cawnpore. He set out in the
disguise of an Indian cook. Hardly had he gone a short
distance when he was arrested and brought before Nana
Sahib. When he was asked about the state of the English,
he began to give false and glowing descriptions as agreed
upon. But seeing that two women, captured just before
he was caught, had told the true story of despair, he got
confused. He was first put in a prison and, on the 12th
of July, he was brought before a court and sentenced to
three years' rigorous imprisonment." From this will be
seen the regard for justice which Nana had, even in the
heat of the war. Though English scouts were thus baulk-
ed, the scouts of the Revolutionaries did their work ex-
ceedingly well. One day, a bhishti (water-carrier) stood,
on a high piece of ground near the English fort and cried,
"Even disregarding the fear of death, since I love the
English so much, I have come to convey to you a piece of
joyful news. An English army with guns has come up
on the other bank of the Ganges. It will start to-morrow to
relieve you. This news has created a perfect consternation
225
15

THE ERUPTION
among the rascally rebels and we, all loyalists, have be-
come ready to join the English!" At this news, the
English imagined that their scouts must have successfully
sowed discord among the Revolutionaries and, also, that
the English army from Lucknow must have arrived. On
the next day, the same bhishti came up and cried, "Vic-
tory to the English! The English army was late on
account of floods in the Ganges; but, now, all is accom-
plished and they are coming. Before the end of the day,
my masters will be victorious." That day passed, and so
also the next; but the strained eyes of the English could
see neither the army of succour nor the loyalist bhishti!
Azimullah, now, knew enough of the misery of the English
camp, and it was not again necessary for the bhishti to
risk his life. The English were often taken in by such
resourceful tricks of the Revolutionary scouts.
After giving notice of the siege on the 6th of June to the
English, Nana Sahib had brought his camp close to the
besieging armies and near by the tent of General Tikka
Singh. When Cawnpore became free, the whole province
became flooded by a great wave of Revolution. Every
day, new Zemindars and princes came with their retinues
and joined Nana Sahib's camp. Nana had now about
four thousand troops under him; but, of these, the artil-
lerymen were the most active in their duties. Here in
one quarter Nanhi Nabob took his stand. When the
rising began, his house and property were ordered to be
confiscated for his fanatical Hindu hatred. But soon,
a compromise took place and he joined that war of free-
dom. The artillery in Nana's charge were manned by the
finest marksmen and old pensioners. While the Revolu-
tionaries were making efforts to set fire to the English
buildings within the fort, an amateur artillery man dis-
covered a new explosive. The first experiment was so
successful that the barracks, which were of immense value
to the English and against which it was thrown, were soon
burnt to ashes! There was so much competition amongst
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CAWNPORE AND JHANSI
the people to join in firing the batteries that women help-
ed men, and old men helped young men in the work. One
quotation will show how, in that season of noble ideals
and inspiration, the masses had risen up. A native
Christian says, " While I sat on a mat disguised as a
Mahomedan, I saw men returning to supply waters to
those who were fighting. Suddenly, one of them came up
to me and said, ' While our countrymen are fighting there,
it is a shame that a young Mahomedan like you should sit
here killing flies! Come there to help at the artillery.' He
also told me that the young son of the one-eyed pensioner
Karim Ali had done a great deed that day. He had made
some discovery and set fire to the English buildings. For
this bravery, he was rewarded with ninety rupees and a
shawl." To sit idly, instead of fighting for the country,
was considered a disgrace not only to a young man but
even to woman ; so, the women of Cawnpore had left their
Zenanas and jumped into the battle-field. But all these
young soldiers and heroic women were put to shame by
the ardour of a beauty which was no other than the
dancing girl Azizan, above-mentioned. She had now put
on a heroic garb. With her rosy cheeks and smiling lips,
she was there on horseback, fully armed. And the artillery
Sepoys would forget all their fatigue at the sight of her.
Nanak Chand says, in his diary, " Armed Azizan is flash-
ing everywhere like lightning ; often she stands in the
streets giving milk and sweetmeats to tired and
wounded Sepoys."
Even while the fight was going on in this manner, Nana
Sahib was making all possible arrangements for the civil
administration. Though it is always a difficult task to
introduce order in the revenue and police departments at
a critical time like that of a Revolution, Nana Sahib first
began the work of giving justice and protection to the
inhabitants. The prominent citizens of Cawnpore were
called together and the man elected by the majority of
them, Holas Singh by name, was given the office of chief
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THE ERUPTION
magistrate. Nana Sahib gave strict orders that Holas
Singh should protect the citizens from disorderly Sepoys
or bandit villagers. The work of supplying provisions
to the army was entrusted to a citizen, called Mullah. A
court was appointed to settle civil and criminal disputes.
Jwala Prasad, Azimullah Khan, and others were made
judges and Baba Sahib was made the President. From
the few documents of this court that are extant, it is
abundantly clear that those guilty of oppression or dis-
order were severely punished and that great care was
bestowed on the maintenance of order. A man convicted
of a very heinous theft had his right hand cut off. A
Mahomedan butcher was given the same punishment for
killing a cow. Vagabonds without any profession and peo-
ple convicted of small thefts were publicly disgraced in the
streets on the back of a donkey.⁵ Like the Committee of
Public Safety established during the French Revolution,
this court gradually encroached upon all the other depart-
ments. To supply ammunition in case of shortage, to
supply clothes to the army, to try the arrested English
scouts, to punish rogues who wanted to escape—all these
were done by this court. It also gave rewards to those
who discovered English refugees.
The attack of the Revolutionaries on the English fort took
place on the 12th. Rather than take it by a general
assault, the general plan of the Revolutionaries was to
reduce it by harassing the English on all sides by artillery.
They also directed assaults now and then. After both
sides had lost some men the Revolutionaries would retire.
The vigour and courage of the artillery was not equalled
by the cavalry and the infantry. This fault will also be
prominently noticed in the sieges of Delhi and Lucknow;
but, in the siege of Cawnpore also, more importance was
attached to the artillery than to hand-to-hand fight. Not
that the Sepoys were, at all, afraid of death. The valour
5. Thomson's Cawnpore.
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CAWNPORE AND JHANSI
and bravery the Sepoys displayed in the assault, on
the 18th of June, on the fort were remarkable. On this
day, disregarding the cannon-fire of the enemy, they ran
straight, like arrows, at the enemy's camp, mounted the
walls, took an English gun, and turned its mouth, and it
seemed for a moment that the flag of freedom would never
be set back. Instead of helping such brave Sepoys, some
had, on the other hand, sworn as it were to create disorder
without reason and bring confusion in all the ranks. This
weakness compelled the whole army to return. Like the
brave Sepoys of Oudh, some brave hearts at Cawnpore
did their duty, as heroes always do, without waiting to see
what the others did. One day when the assaulting party
was retiring, one Sepoy lay down there, pretending to be
dead. When Captain Jenkins, renowned for his bravery
and a bold fighter, came up there galloping confidently,
the Sepoy jumped suddenly at his prey and shot him
dead in the neck in an instant !
The 23rd of June came. One hundred years before, on
this day, the English had laid the foundations of their
power on the battle-field of Plassey. On that 23rd of
June, the English got their first decisive victory in Hindu-
sthan. The sting of the insult of that unfortunate day
was burning in the heart of Hindusthan so much that,
even after a hundred years, that evil day and its evil
memory was fresh in the heart of all Indians. The terrible
wound of slavery inflicted on that day had not been healed
even after a hundred years. No balm had yet been
found that could heal it ! What a righteous hatred was
rankling in the heart even of the peaceful and forgiving
India ? In the last breath of every dying generation and
in the first breath of every new one being born, she has
been mixing in the spirit of revenge for Plassey! This went
on for a hundred years, and the morning of the 23rd of
June, 1857, had risen. Astrologers had foretold that at
last on this day the Mother would be avenged. Nana
Sahib ! Though the fulfilment of the prophecy is in the
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THE ERUPTION
hands of God, you are to do your duty towards achieving
the end !
And not to lose the chance of that auspicious day, the
23rd of June saw the whole of Nana Sahib’s camp in a
terrible commotion. All the divisions, if not every man
of the army, had got ready to direct an assault as had
never been directed before. The artillery, the cavalry,
and the infantry—all, inspired by the memory of that
historical day, came down into the battle-field. The
bravest of them assembled together and took oaths—the
Hindus with Ganges water and the Mahomedans on the
Koran—that, on that day, they would either acquire free-
dom or die fighting ! The cavalry rushed forward and
came up to the walls without heeding the enemy’s artillery.
The infantry, under cover of big bags of cotton which
they pushed along, showered bullets on the fort, from the
other sides. People from the neighbouring villages had also
come to join the Revolutionaries. From within the fort,
the English also kept up an incessant fire. Though they
could not check the forward movement of the Revolu-
tionists, they prevented them from breaking into the fort
that day.
Nevertheless this last attack at Cawnpore did not go in
vain. After that day’s fight the English lost all hope.
They were full of despair and saw clearly that it was
thenceforth impossible to hold the fort against Nana
Sahib. Though not on the 23rd, yet on the 25th of June,
they hoisted on their wall the flag of truce ! On seeing
this flag, Nana Sahib ordered the fighting to stop⁶ and
sent to General Wheeler a letter by the hand of a captive
English woman. The note ran : “To the subjects of
Queen Victoria. Those who have had no connection with
Dalhousie’s policy and those who are ready to lay down
6. Tatia Tope, in his statement, says :—“ The English general
raised the flag of peace and the fighting ceased.”
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arms and surrender will be safely conveyed to Allahabad."
This note was written by Azimullah Khan at the order
of Nana Sahib.
When General Wheeler received the note, he gave authori-
ty to Captains Moore and Whiting to consider it and the
two officers resolved upon a surrender to Nana Sahib.
The next morning, on the 26th Jwala Prasad and Azimul-
lah Khan, on behalf of Nana Sahib, and Moore, Whiting,
and Roche, on behalf of the English, met near the walls.
First, the conversation began in English, but soon Jwala
and Azim forced them to carry on the conversation in
Hindusthani—the language of the nation. The terms
settled were that the English should hand over all the
artillery, arms and ammunition, and the treasure to Nana
Sahib, and Nana Sahib should give provisions to and con-
vey the party to Allahabad.⁷ The agreement was drawn up
on paper and Azimullah Khan and others returned to get
Nana Sahib's signature. In the afternoon, there was
some difference as to whether the English should start
the same night or the next morning. However, a compro-
mise was arrived at, and it was agreed that Nana Sahib
should take charge of everything that night and the English
should leave early the next morning. Mr. Todd (formerly
English reader at Nana's palace) came to Nana Sahib
with a copy of the treaty agreed upon by both parties.
Nana showed great hospitality towards him and inquired
as to his health, etc. The same evening, the English laid
down their arms ; the guns were handed over to Nana
Sahib ; and Brigadier Jwala Prasad, with two companions,
came and took his quarters within the fort. The same
night Holas Singh, the magistrate at Cawnpore, and Tatia
Topé ordered boatmen to keep forty boats ready. The
English officers who came on elephants to see them com-
plained that the boats were rude and uncomfortable. So,
a hundred labourers were employed immediately ; bamboo
7. Red Pamphlet.
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THE ERUPTION
coverings and canopies were erected, good seats were made,
and corn and other provisions were also loaded on
the boats.
The English now prepared to go out of Cawnpore. But,
we must also see who were now coming in there. Unless
we take an account of the incomings as well as the out-
goings, we shall not be able to understand later events.
When the news spread everywhere that Nana had raised
the flag of freedom at Cawnpore, a constant flood of
heroes was pouring in thither. Young national volunteers
from every place were repairing towards Cawnpore. A
town, which could not send men, sent money. But, alas !
it was not only these volunteers that were now crowding
into Cawnpore. Day and night helpless people, who had
been unsuccessful in their efforts and who were tired of
English slavery, also came to the camp in large numbers.
Thousands of Sepoys from Allahabad and Kashi had
come to Cawnpore in the preceding week with the news
of the cruel vengeance which the English had taken on
their comrades and their wives and children. Hundreds
of young Indian sons, whose fathers had been hanged in
shapes of the figures—" 8 " and " 9 "', also had come there.
Husbands whose wives and infant sons in the cradle had
been burnt by Neill also came. Fathers whose daughters
had their hair and clothes set fire to by English soldiers
amid shouts of applause, also crowded the place. Men
whose properties were burnt to ashes, men whose religion
was trampled under foot, men whose nation had been
enslaved, such men created a tumult round the banner of
freedom with shouts of " Revenge ! Revenge ! ! " And,
when the day of victory had arrived, Nana Sahib's pro-
mise to convey the English to Allahabad dispelled all the
hopes of the Sepoys and the people, and they began to
grumble aloud. The English officers who came to look
after the preparation of boats distinctly heard whispers
of " Massacre " (Katal) among the Sepoy's lounging about
on the banks of the Ganges ! It is also said that a palace
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CAWNPORE AND JHANSI
Pundit had explained to the Sepoys how, in the eyes of
religion, there was no sin in beheading men who had
broken faith with a nation and had enslaved it ! ⁸
On the 27th of June, the sun rose on this disturbed atmos-
phere. The English were to be seen off from the Sati
Chowda Ghat. The cavalry and the infantry stood round
the Ghat and the artillery was also in position. Thou-
sands of the citizens of Cawnpore had also assembled at
the Ghat, since the morning, to witness the scene on the
banks of the Ganges, each with his own mental picture
of it. Azimullah Khan, Bala Sahib, and the Commander
Tatia Topé, also stood on the terrace of a temple near the
Ghat. The name of the temple too was fitting to the
occasion. Inside was the image of " Har Dev " and it
appeared as if the lordship of the whole region was vested
for the time being solely in the hands of Shiva, the Terri-
ble ! Nana Sahib had sent the best conveyances to
take the English from the fort to the Ganges bank. For
Sir Wheeler, a beautifully decorated elephant, with Nana
Sahib's own mahut, came and stood at the gate of the
fort. Sir Wheeler did not like the idea of being taken
in such a melancholy procession on an elephant ; so, he
seated his family on it and betook himself to a palanquin.
The English women had also palkees allotted to them.
The procession started. The English flag at the fort was
hauled down and the flag of freedom and religion flew
in its stead ! Instead of having heart-burnings at this
insult to English prestige, the prisoners expressed joy at
being released from the jaws of death. In the flush of
joy of a renewed life, they left the fort and proceeded
hastily—but whither ?
However, it is useless to discuss that question at this
stage. The Ganges Ghat is still a mile and a half afar.
When this procession, after going through the mile and a
8. Trevelyan's Cawnpore.
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THE ERUPTION
half, got down on the sands, the Sepoy lines closed from
behind and guarded the way. While embarking on the
boats from the palkees and elephants, no Indian came
forth that day to help the English. Yes ; but there were
exceptions. In one or two cases, they did get help when
they were getting down but, then, the Sepoys offered
their swords, not their hands. The wounded Colonel
Ewart had been put in a doli. A Sepoy stopped his doli
and said : “ Well, Colonel, how do you like this parade ?
How are the regimental uniforms ? ” With these words,
he dragged him down from the palkee and cut him to
pieces. His wife was near by. Some said to her : “ You
are a woman and your life will be spared ! ” But,
one frightful young man rushed forward, shouting,
“ Get away ! A woman ? Yes. But she is a Feringhi !
Cut her to pieces ! ” Before he finished the sentence, the
thing was done !
The English committee itself has admitted after enquiry
that all the boats on the river contained ample provisions
on board. The English waded through the water and took
their seats in them. Everywhere there was a dead silence
and calm. The boats were almost crowded. The boat-
men were ready with their oars. At last, Tatia Topé
waved his hand backward and forward in the air as the
sign for the boats to start. Suddenly, in one corner, some
one blew a bugle to break the terrible silence. As soon as
the shrill sound of the bugle was heard, a crashing noise
started—the noise of guns, rifles, swords, kukris, and
bayonets. The boatmen jumped from the boats and came
to the bank, and the Sepoys rushed into the water
with a jump ! No other sound was heard but “ Mâro
Feringhiko ! ”
Soon all the boats caught fire, and men and women and
children all jumped hastily into the Ganges. Some began
to swim, some were drowned, some were burnt and most
succumbed to bullets sooner or later ! Lumps of flesh,
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CAWNPORE AND JHANSI
broken heads, severed hair, chopped-off arms and legs,
and a stream of blood! The whole Ganges became red!
As soon as anyone took up his head above water,
he was shot by a bullet; if he kept it under water,
he would die of asphyxia! Such was the wrath of
Har Dev! Such was the one hundredth anniversary
of Plassey!
It was ten o'clock in the morning. It is said that, at this
time, Nana Sahib was quietly pacing a hall in the palace.
What wonder that he was uneasy in that palace, while
an account of the century's wrongs was being settled!
Such moments are epochs in history. They are the final
strokes of a period, the summary of an age. Heaven
knows his thoughts, at that time, when he was pacing the
hall! But he was not allowed time to think much longer;
for, a cavalryman came galloping fast and informed him
that the Sepoys had commenced an indiscriminate
massacre of the English on Sati Chowda Ghat. Hearing
this, Nana Sahib remarked that there was no necessity
of molesting the women and the children and made the
same man gallop back fast with the stringent order, “ Kill
the Englishmen! But no harm is to be done to the women
and children! ”⁹ We must notice, while passing, that the
second part of Nana Sahib's order is conspicuous by its
absence in Neill's orders! When Nana Sahib's order
reached Sati Chowda, the Sepoys were in the height of
their dread work. Some Englishmen were burning in the
heap of tottering boats, while some were attempting to
swim across the river. The Sepoys also jumped into the
water and followed them like wild dogs, shouting and
foaming with rage. With their swords in the teeth and
revolvers in the hand, the Sepoys began the terrible hunt
in the water. General Wheeler was killed in the first rush.
9. Forrest’s State Papers. Almost all English historians admit
that Nana sent this order as soon as he heard the report. Also
Kaye and Malleson's Indian Mutiny, Vol. II, page 258.
235

THE ERUPTION
Henderson also fell. But it is easier to give a list of those
that survived than of those that died ! As soon as Nana
Sahib’s order arrived, the massacre was at once stopped
and one hundred and twenty-five women and children
were taken alive out of the water. They were taken as
prisoners to Savda Kothi. The remaining Englishmen
were made to stand in a line and the order for their exe-
cution was read to them. One of them asked to be given
time to read to his comrades some sentences from a prayer-
book, and the request was granted.¹⁰ When the prayer was
finished, the Sepoys quickly cut off their heads with
swords ! Out of the forty boats, only one boat escaped ;
and out of the Englishmen in it, only three or four were
saved from the attacks of the villagers, and that too,
because a Zemindar, called Durvijay Singh, took pity
on them ! This Zemindar kept the naked and dying
Englishmen for a month and then sent them down to
Allahabad.
In short out of one thousand living Englishmen and wo-
men, on the 7th of June at Cawnpore, only four men and
one hundred and twenty-five women and children survived
on the 30th. The women and children were in the prisons
of Nana Sahib and the four half-dead men were partak-
ing of medicine and hospitality in the house of Durvijay
Singh. It is here necessary to record briefly the arrange-
ments made by Nana Sahib as regards the imprisoned
women and children. We would have had no occasion to
refer to this at all, had not English writers published a
series of “ reliable information ” and most shameless accu-
sations that the women were violated, that they were in-
sulted in the streets, that Nana Sahib himself attempted
to violate them, etc., and had not the English nation
been so blind and wicked as to believe these despicable
and diabolical falsehoods ! It is distinctly stated by the
special commission appointed by the English in this be-
10. Kaye and Malleson’s Indian Mutiny, Vol. II, page 263.
236

CAWNPORE AND JHANSI
half that all these accusations are false.^{11} Still, this does
not end the question. Not only did Nana Sahib save
these women from massacre and thus put to shame Neill,
Reynold, and Havelock, but, in that conflagration of 1857,
Nana Sahib did not show to the treacherous enemy who
ruined individuals, the nation, and religion, even a hun-
dredth part of the severity and cruelty which, in similar
conditions and under similar provocations, England herself
has shown to India, Austria to Italy, Spain to the Moors,
or Greece to the Turks. And this is proved by the
histories of the English themselves.
In the first confusion of the massacre at Cawnpore, four
English women and some half-caste women had been
taken away by some cavalrymen. At this news, Nana
Sahib had the Sepoys immediately arrested and disgraced.
He compelled them to restore the women at once.^{12} The
prisoners were given chapatees, and meat occasionally.^{13}
They were not forced to do hard labour in any sense.
The children were given milk. Over them was kept a
chief wardress, called Begum. Since cholera and dysen-
tery broke out in the prison, they were brought out to
take fresh air, thrice every day.^{14} It would not be here
out of place to give a small anecdote to show how the
people were furious even at the name, "English." One
morning, a Brahmin peeped over the prison wall and saw
English women, who would never go out except in a
palanquin, wash their clothes. Moved at this sight, the
Brahmin remarked to his neighbour, "Why do they not
allow them a washerman?" As a check to this excessive
humanity, the neighbour slapped the Brahmin hard in the
11. Muir's Report and Wilson's Report. See also, Kaye and
Malleson's Indian Mutiny, Vol. II, page 267.
12. Trevelyan's Cawnpore, page 299.
13. Narrative, page 113.
14. Neill himself says in his report: "At first they were badly
fed but afterwards they got better food and clean clothing and
servants to wait upon."
237

THE ERUPTION
face! A few of the women in the prison used to grind
corn and each of them was given flour for one chapatee
free. This showed them what it meant to work for one's
living! What was the end of this imprisonment and what
was the reason for that end will appear at its proper time.
We will leave the women and children in prison and now
turn to more important matters.
When all the emblems of English rule had been wiped
out of Cawnpore, Nana Sahib held a great Durbar, about
five o'clock on the afternoon of the 28th. In honour of the
Durbar, there was also a military parade of the whole army
present. Six regiments of infantry, and two of cavalry,
besides bands of Revolutionaries, with their banners, who
had come from various places to join in the war, were
present at the ceremony. The artillery by whose power
Cawnpore was conquered was deservedly given the place
of honour. Bala Sahib was, from the first, very popular
in the army and got a splendid ovation when he arrived.
At first, there was a salute of 101 guns in honour of the
Emperor of Delhi which shows how, in 1857, Hindus and
Mahomedans had forgotten all their animosities. Next
when Nana Sahib arrived in the camp, he was acclaimed
with shouts and received a salute of twenty-one guns.
Some said the twenty-one guns represented the twenty-
one days of the siege. Nana Sahib thanked the army for
the great honour and said, “This victory belongs to all of
us. All have an equal glory therein.” It was then an-
nounced that Nana Sahib had ordered one lakh of Rupees
to be distributed to the army as a reward for its victory
and, when he presented himself on the parade, another
salute of twenty-one guns was fired. Then, Nana's nephew
—Rao Sahib, and brothers—Baba Sahib and Bala Sahib,
each got a salute of seventeen guns in their honour. Briga-
dier Jwala Prasad and Commander Tatia Topé were given
the honour of eleven guns each. In this manner, the even-
ing sun heard the martial song of freedom through the din
of cannon, and then the whole army returned to the camp.
238

CAWNPORE AND JHANSI
After the military review, Nana Sahib, in company with
his brother Bala Sahib, proceeded to the historically
famous palace of Brahmavarta. The 1st of July was
fixed as the day of coronation. On that day, what splen-
dour there was in the palace! The old historic throne of
the Peshwas was brought with great ceremony into the
Durbar Hall, and Nana Sahib, with the royal Tilaka on
his forehead, amidst the booming of guns and the thunder-
ing applause of thousands, ascended the throne which was
independent, earned by his prowess, supported by the
populace, and blessed by religion. On that day, hundreds
from Cawnpore sent presents to Nana Sahib.^{15} The Mah-
ratta throne which the English hurled down from Raigarh
thus re-emerged out of the Ganges flowing red with Eng-
lish blood. The Hindus all over the land hailed it with
"Raja Ramachandra ki Jay!!!"
But while Nana Sahib was straining every nerve to regain
freedom in childhood, Rani Lakshmi Bai, a fellow com-
petitor with him in childhood at Brahmavarta in horse-
riding and elephant-riding, did not keep idle. When Nana
Sahib cast the die on the battlefield for independence at
Cawnpore, she did the same at Jhansi. She was as close
an associate to him in the game of Revolution as she was
in the games of childhood. On the 4th of June, on the
same day that Cawnpore was suffused with the clouds
of fiery fume of cannonade, the Rani of Jhansi too dashed
out like lightning and joined the battle of freedom.
On the 4th of June, Jhansi rose. Before this rising, a few
letters fell into the hands of the British commissioner at
Jhansi from which it appeared that Lakshman Rao, a
Brahmin in the Ranee's service, was organising a Revolu-
tion and, as a preliminary, intended to kill the British
officers in command of the army. But while the English
were discussing amongst themselves as to what precautions
15. Trevelyan's Cawnpore, page 293.
239

THE ERUPTION
were to be taken, on the same day, the Revolutionists took
possession of the fort. Finding this, the English went to
take shelter in the city fort. The Revolutionaries made
an attack upon that also, and took it. On the 7th,
Rasaldar Kala Khan and Tahsildar Mahomed Hussein of
Jhansi and other valiant soldiers led the attack and the
flag of Revolution was hoisted on the fort of Jhansi. The
English, on the other hand, hoisted the white flag and
craved for peace. Hakim Salay Mahomed, a prominent
citizen of Jhansi, promised to spare the lives of the English,
if they surrendered unconditionally. The English laid
down their arms, and the doors of the fort were opened.
But, when the English came out of the gates, the soldiers
shouted, “Mâro Feringhiko!” The Sepoys had known
how the English had massacred their women and children
and how Neill had burnt whole villages and were infuriat-
ed beyond measure. On the 8th, a procession was led
through the city and the English were made to march in
the procession as prisoners of war. The very English peo-
ple, who were wielding the highest authority at Jhansi
only a week before, were, to-day, parading as captives.
As they were approaching Johan Bagh the Sepoys asked
the general, “Rasaldar Sahib, what further orders?”
The Rasaldar ordered that the Feringhis who were guilty
of treason in having dared to dethrone the Ranee and
annex the country should not be spared and that, there-
fore, they should be drawn up in three separate rows of
men, women, and children and, as soon as the jail Daroga
decapitated the commissioner in the line of men, imme-
diately the rest of the lines of men, women and children
should be beheaded. In a second, blood began to flow in
streams. Thus, they died as victims of the merciless
annexation policy of Lord Dalhousie refusing to recognise
the adoption made by the queen.
About seventy-five men, twelve women, and twenty-three
children were decapitated by the Revolutionaries and,
there being no legal or adopted heir of the English to
240