War of Independence F Vol 1

The Story of the Storm - 1857
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1
THE STORY
INTRODUCTION
OF THE
STORM - 1857
'If this be the policy it will be working its own ends and purpose... Oudh will become anot
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central authority and emergence of a new alien power of East India Company had resulted in
HISTORY OF THE HISTORIANS
by Muslims or Hindus or both together. The veterans of these campaigns against the rebels s
Most of the early writings about rebellion were by British who were involved in the histori
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of happenings inside Delhi while diary of Nanakchand give some glimpse of events in Cawnpor
comprehensive analysis due to obvious bias of Syed in favour of British. In early part of t
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his own actions. Surely, Nawabzada Liaqat Ali Khan could be criticized for many of his poli
MILITARY ASPECT
The company's native army had performed very well for over a century winning large part of
was serving as deputy commissioner and Captain James an assistant commissioner. Similarly m
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breakdown of law and order in affected areas would be a more powerful signal to the waverin
not wanted to confront their ethnic kin though separated by a time span of sixty years. The
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local scene was spiced by the affair of pensioned nawab with the wife of an ensign Reginald
regiments was counterproductive. He never even carried any personal weapon with him while w
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disarming and dismounting of native regiments caused panic and panic quickly escalated to r
contingent which consisted of sepoys who were recruited on the pattern of Bengal Army. The
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assured that all sepoys who may not be agreeing with the plans of the rebels have now to th
Cawnpur and by rebels in Lucknow, it was successful. Enfield played a significant role but
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SOCIAL ASPECT
The rebellion has to carefully evaluate as any generalization would lead to wrong conclusio
in 1829. James Ramsay, the 10th Earl of Dilhousie became Governor-General of India in 1847
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revenue. Social and political fallout from their decisions and long-term negative effects w
protection to the money lenders (Mahajans) who were able to acquire landed interests which
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Adding insult to injury, British dropped any pretense of respect to previous ruling class.
Nawab of Najibabad, Muhammad Khan and in Bareilly Khan Bahadur Khan). The rebels raised the
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the revolt of 1857 which is seen as a first organized attempt against colonial hegemony, 'e
NATIVE PLAYERS
Several authors had written a lot about the motives of different leaders of the rebellion.
Prachitgarh proclaimed himself king. Umrao Singh declared himself a raja after getting hold
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is no detailed account of the exploits of several local leaders of the rebellion like Mehdi
the free school and became fluent in English and French. After working with several English
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hit the palace gate, the garrison panicked and soldiers fled away. The indomitable Hazrat M
bravery in combat. She only trusted the five hundred Kabuli Pathans of her army, who escort
CONCLUSION
1857 was the watershed in the history of sub-continent. It was such a confusing catalogue o
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The Truth about the Indian Mutiny of 1857
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backward India into a modern society along the lines of an intrinsically western model'. Th
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THE TRUTH
ABOUT THE OF
INDIAN MUTINY
1857
The Sepoy revolt of 1857 is an engrossing subject. The Government of India commemorated thi
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of the mutiny of 1857. They had never been taken into confidence. They had neither been con
NOTHING NATIONAL ABOUT MUTINY
or destroyed. Beyond this, there was no planned or organized scheme or effort on their part
RELIGIOUS RIOT
The Sikhs could not volunteer to help these erstwhile enemies of the Punjab, nor could they
The mutiny at best was a religious riot of the Hindu and Muslim soldiers of the U.P. agains
BAHADUR SHAH, A PUPPET KING
It is true that, the Mughal Emperor, Bahadur Shah had been proclaimed king, in whose name t
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was nothing more than a mere pretence to seek a cover for their crimes and misdeeds. His au
BAHADUR SHAH AND HIS FAMILY SEEK TO ASSIST THE BRITISH
The king himself had no faith in the sepoys or in the success of the mutiny. He therefore,
SELFISH MOTIVES OF THE LEADERS OF THE MUTINY
Raja Nahar Singh of Ballabhgarh, Nawab Abdur Rahman Khan of Jhajjar and Rao Tula Ram of Rew
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reasons. They did not rise against the British till their personal interests had been damag
RANI OF JHANSI: A VICTIM OF CIRCUMSTANCES
The Rani of Jhansi had her own grievances. There is nothing on record to say that she had a
TANTIA TOPE, A FUGITIVE
understanding between the Hindus and Muslims. Whereas, in the chaos and confusion that foll
RIVAL FACTIONS
Tantia Tope was neither an organizer nor a leader of the mutineers, but only a follower of
HINDU-MUSLIM CONFLICT
A close and critical study of the mutiny records reveals a very sad story of "everyone for
The mutiny having broken out all of a sudden, and nobody having an idea of the turn it woul
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â ¢ A number of smaller adventurers, not inspired by any patriotic impulse, sprang up to ex
BETRAYAL OF THE SIKHS BY POORBIA GENERALS
took place. As such, the people of the Punjab, particularly the Sikhs, could not have looke
SIKHS: THE LAST DEFENDERS OF INDIAN LIBERTY
'The Sikhs' says Dr. Majumdar, 'were the last defenders of the liberty of India'. But 'the
INDIAN ARMY STOOD ALOOF
The people of the Punjab were the worst and most recent sufferers at their hands. In additi
Although the movement had begun as a military mutiny of the Bengal Army, that army itself d
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HISTORICAL MISINTERPRETATION
With the sepoys not having the overthrow of the East India Company's rule as their objectiv
NOTED HISTORIAN'S VERDICT
fat which were used in lubricating the paper parcels of cartridges...."
"A number of dispossessed dynasts, both Hindu and Muslim, exploited the well-founded caste-
The mutiny of 1857 failed not because the Sikhs, or the people of the Punjab, or of any oth
"The failure of the outbreak," according to Dr. Majumdar, may also be attributed to the fac
PART-II CONTROVERSIAL POINTS CLEARED
"The Sepoy Mutiny was not a fight freedom,' says, Sir Jadunath Sarkar. 'It was not a rising
History takes no cognizance of the sentiments of people coming a century after the event, t
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which never belonged to it. My conclusions are based on fact which have not so far been con
MURDER PLOT
"In July it came to the notice of the Commanding Officer that some of the Hindoostanees had
This is supported by the Punjab Mutiny Report by R. Montgomery, pp. 67-68, paragraphs 107-0
PANJABIS DID NOT LACK PATRIOTISM
According to regimental records, there was only one Sikh Regiment at Dera Ismail Khan when
It is true that the Panjabis were not devoid of patriotic fervor. I would be the last man t
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The Poorbias alone did not constitute the Indian nation, nor was nationalism the name of wh
HINDU-MUSLIM UNITY LACKING
flag was hoisted and Muslims in Bareilly, Bijnor, Moradabad, and other places the Muslims s
On the authority of the Bidrohi Bengali of Durgadas Bandyopadhyaya, an eye-witness, Dr. Maj
MUTINEERS WORSE THAN PLUNDERERS
There is no denying the fact that there was no understanding between the Hindus and Muslims
"The communal hatred," says Dr. Majumdar, "led to ugly communal riots in many parts of U.P.
That the mutineers behaved worse than bands of plunderers and professional dacoits is prove
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the rebels harmed only those (Indians) who either refused to give supplies to them or were
Gujjars of Aliganj, Mallanji, Hasangarh and Alapur 'are now engaged in highway robbery and
BAHUDUR SHAH DISGUSTED
But who cared for the wishes and orders of poor Bahadur Shah, a helpless puppet in the hand
"If you are not disposed to comply with these requests, let me be conveyed, in safety, to t
Even this had no effect, and there was no improvement in the attitude and conduct of the mu
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'Repeated injunctions have been issued prohibiting plunder and aggression in the city, but
Men such as these who would observe no discipline, recognize no authority, and obey no orde
CONCLUSION
Mutiny, and the remaining 90 per cent of the Panjabis were Hindus and Muslims. If the Sikhs
The Sikhs according to one calculation, formed hardly 10 per cent of the population in the
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India's First War of Independence
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was no plan for the Mutiny on an all-India basis. The nonPoorbias had not been consulted no
3
INDIA'S FIRST WAR
OF
INDEPENDENCE
Many historians called this First War of Independence as a 'Sepoy Mutiny' of 1857. For them
PERIOD JUST BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF INDIA'S FIRST WAR OF INDEPENDENCE
British had little respite from fighting against Indians as they tried to strengthen their
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Less then ten years after the last Anglo-Sikh war there was great unrest in India, speciall
FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR UNREST AMONGST INDIAN MASSES
motivated the Indians to join the revolt in large numbers. Thus, the British drained India
BEGINNING OF FIRST WAR OF INDEPENDENCE (1857)
â ¢ The arrival of missionaries had also caused great unease among the Indians. Evangelical
People whispered of the old prophecy, which stated that 100 years after the battle of Plass
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officer, Captain Douglas, commanded Bahadur Shah's personal guard. From the walls high abov
BATTLE OF KANPUR
leaders of the First War of Independence, Nana Saheb of Bithur was born in 1824. Nana Saheb
JHANSI AND GWALIOR
Kanpur was an important junction where the Grand Trunk Road and the road from Jhansi to Luc
Rani Laxmibai was born in 1830 at Banaras in a wealthy family and was named Manukarnika at
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the army rebelled and killed the British Army officers. Rani Laxmibai, the widow of the lat
Lucknow At Lucknow War against British was led by the Begum of Awadh Hazrat Mehal who procl
AFTERMATH OF FIRST WAR OF INDEPENDENCE
In the early months of the British recovery, few Indian soldiers were left alive after thei
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A hundred years after battle of Plassey the rule of the East India Company finally did come
4
THE SEPOY MUTINY
As with any conflict or controversy there are always two sides to the debate, and the event
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took no part in the rebellion of 1857. But the more pronounced military factor was the lack
as having `alienated or alarmed almost every influential class in the country'. Yet other B
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as sparking the `war'. He questions that if the bullets were the cause why did the likes of
the name is not being pro Indian nationalist in the description of the events, which he reg
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normally be one to two, ... [while] in Bombay and Madras ...one to three'. In an attempt to
of the white race. They could be categorised as being the superior members of an inferior r
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284'. This situation of a Muslim decline in influence had long term effects on the Muslim c
FEROZEPORE
largest in Upper India, being entrusted to a few officers and sergeants of artillery. The s
The actual Mutiny of the Bengal army broke out at Meerut on May 10, 1857. Events had happen
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I may be excused if I thus energetically offer my tribute of praise to that army, and more
them. We laughed at his fears, and dismissed from our minds all alarm, vaunting our superio
"What on earth is the matter?" we asked. Slowly, and as though uttered with considerable di
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Now this was rather a startling announcement, and somewhat premature, considering that we t
Finally it was resolved that a general parade of Her Majesty's 61st Foot and the battery of
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entrenched camp, or, as it was generally called, the fort and arsenal of Ferozepore. The sp
the rascals fight, or remain loyal and obedient to the orders of their officers?" The eveni
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The men were furious, and could hardly be restrained from marching forward, when, looking t
Night came, and we still remained in line under arms without having moved a foot from where
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That night more than twenty houses were burnt to the ground. The English church, we afterwa
the destruction of the entrenchment and the annihilation of the European guard, we remained
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The cantonment presented a complete scene of desolation. The church and chapel were a heap
The officers of these two corps were more fortunate than their comrades of other regiments
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my orders, and I took with me a young ensign to assist me in my duties. The Brigadier said
simultaneously, and before the men could retire, flashes of fire appeared on the plain, and
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outskirts of the cantonment and in the neighbouring villages, taking advantage of every opp
a course of manual labour. There it was ordered that under the ammunition sheds deep pits w
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escaped the action of the fire. It was a sorry sight to look on the total destruction of ou
aid us in our trouble. They came at once in hundreds-nay, thousands-to enlist on our side.
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army we could learn no satisfactory tidings. The closing days of the month of May passed we
mutineers. The council of war then agreed unanimously that an assault was to be made on the
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have spoken to the winds: our blood was up, and the spirit of fun had taken possession, so
proceeding for some time. It was a general court-martial composed of thirteen officers, pre
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and only those are exempted who have lost limbs in fighting against the infidel. The joys o
of the wretched creatures were marched off to the gallows, and placed with ropes round thei
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fires, about to be applied to the touch-holes, when the word "Fire!" sounded from the offic
the band struck up an air, and we marched back to barracks, hoping soon to drive from our m
ON THE MARCH
After the excitement of the late executions we were prepared to relapse into our usual stat
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men of my regiment. We had at length a prospect of entering upon a regular campaign, and th
Everything being ready, we paraded a little before sunset on the evening of June 13. The te
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and died, so that, unhappily, up to July 1 we lost in all thirty gallant fellows. This dise
in hackeries; the arrangement being that they should march halfway, then halt for coffee an
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force which had advanced across this plain on that eventful morn under a terrific fire from
BEFORE DELHI
celebrated Flagstaff Tower. We mounted to the top: and shall I ever forget the sight which
A situation had already been marked out for our encampment, and, directed by an officer, we
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celebrated our entrance into camp that morning. Few cities in the world have passed through
replying at intervals. We could plainly see the dark forms of the rebel artillerymen, strip
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part was defended by, I think, four bastions, named, respectively, the Water, Kashmir, Mori
I shall proceed to recount, as far as my recollection serves, the main incidents of the sie
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on the side of the River Jumna, was exposed to constant attacks by the enemy, and the three
After darkness set in the enemy commenced a furious cannonade in the direction of the three
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July 4.-That night the sound of the enemy's guns to our rear was heard in the camp, and soo
and presently, to our infinite disgust, we saw their infantry moving off to the left, follo
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many being struck down with apoplexy. About midday the infantry halted at the canal, the gu
my men to the left of the bridge to reinforce the Light Company, who were being hard presse
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all the time. When nearing camp we were met by the General, Sir Henry Barnard, who addresse
On one occasion I saw a party of native servants, carrying on their heads cooked provisions
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enemies; and not only was this the case, but also the insurgents for some time wore the sca
picket of the Carabineers, making also for the two guns of Tombs' battery. The former, most
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skirmishers, the guns opened fire-the country here being pretty open-and the action began.
dealing death amongst them. We saw them lying in heaps of twenty and thirty as we advanced,
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like demons, the English soldiers putting to death every sepoy they could find. Their aspec
killed and wounded. It was computed that of the enemy more than 500 were killed, and probab
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naked at the Palace, tied in that condition to the wheels of guncarriages, dragged up the "
met his death from a bullet in the heart when assaulting the village. There were other offi
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I can remember no event of interest as occurring on July 12. Few shots were fired at us, an
under fire of the batteries, cut off from our force, and liable at any moment to be surroun
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most nauseating it has ever been my lot to experience. When off duty, it was the custom of
July 18.-For three days after the last sortie the enemy were singularly quiet, quarrelling
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reprehensible practice, but almost impossible entirely to prevent, for in the loose order o
continually amongst the trees and buildings, were well sheltered from our batteries, which
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Morning and afternoon passed, and we began to think the enemy had given up their purpose, w
August 2.-Morning broke without any cessation in the firing; and it was not till ten o'cloc
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in their shirts with sleeves turned up, without jacket or coat, and their nether extremitie
The enemy's infantry also harassed the pickets on the right flank, causing some casualties,
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of the welcome reinforcements we had received that morning. These consisted of nearly 3,000
August 19.-On August 19 a noteworthy incident occurred at the Sabzi Mandi picket. A woman d
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It will thus be seen that the rebels put forth their whole strength and used every means at
The march was at once resumed, and, floundering in the mud, the artillery horses especially
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Our Horse Artillery, under Major Tombs-never better served than in this action-mowed down t
authenticated in our army. On looking over his effects, it was found that he had written le
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Rao's house from the city and Kishenganj batteries. Our sappers, too, found it not only dif
Afghan soldiers, some 100 of whom were on our side at Delhi; and he spoke truly. These men,
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was experienced, unparalleled in the annals of the siege. The enemy's battery across the ri
Reinforcements also reached us, amounting to about 400 European infantry and the Belooch ba
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arduous work every night and a portion of each day. Nothing could surpass the zeal and will
never resting for a moment in their labours, and receiving in the Field Force orders the pr
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Capture of the Capital
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5
CAPTURE
OF THE
The seven regiments of European infantry were sadly reduced in numbers, being mere skeleton
CAPITAL
The actual Siege of Delhi may be said to have commenced on September 7, 1857. All reinforce
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against whom they are fighting will be driven headlong out of their stronghold, or be exter
spirit of emulation and zeal, from which he has no doubt that the happiest results will fol
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September 11.-At length, on September 11, the whole of our batteries opened fire simultaneo
duty with the advanced and covering parties. These were harassing and dangerous services, i
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sharp encounter at close quarters, in which thirty rebels were killed, the remainder flying
fellows executed their task in safety, and, unobserved by the enemy, few of whom seemed to
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Kishenganj, and enter the city by the Lahore Gate, meeting Nos. 1 and 2 Columns at that pla
up the men on picket, who were all withdrawn from the outlying posts, the force moved by th
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and cheers that could be heard above the din of battle, rushed up the two breaches. Without
lanes, with high houses on each side. But how can I describe that terrible street-fighting,
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of women yelling and screaming. Keeping these as a cover for their retreat, the rebels got
was too much for the surgeon, who, drawing his sword, called on some men of the regiment cl
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that men could do with their diminished numbers was tried at those points without effect. T
quick succession were heard on the right of the column, and it became known that the Kashmi
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bastions near the Lahore and Ajmir Gates. They succeeded eventually in finding two, the oth
the signal success of our columns in the city. Still, their presence at Kishenganj was a st
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it will be necessary to record the advantages we had gained. From the Water bastion to the
There is no more terrible spectacle than a city taken by storm. All the pent-up passions of
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the Fort of Selimgarh. A few houses were taken in advance of our positions, but no further
along our whole line, and kept up a sharp musketry fire, more especially on the College com
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up a small magazine. These attempts kept us constantly on the alert; and it was with great
the building were remains of their cooking-places, with broken fragments of utensils. The w
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the mystery. The eclipse had, we were told, an alarming effect on the mutineers, who attrib
about 200 officers and men, making the total casualties 1,400, including those of the day o
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unaided exertions, the soldiers of the army before Delhi fought with a courage and constanc
OCCUPATION OF THE CITY
In September, 1861, exactly four years after the storm of Delhi, my regiment paraded at the
The renown won by our troops in 1857 is now wellnigh forgotten, and, in fact, their deeds i
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devotees to death in the cause of religion. Passing on, we wandered through the courts, won
of these houses, most of whom had been mercilessly killed by the city rabble, urged on in t
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into streets beyond, where the six days' fighting had taken place. The night before we had
course without let or hindrance. Still, that which had escaped the plundering and devastati
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literally starved to death in the houses and streets of the city. There was no food for suc
which he was placed. On another bed, three feet from the King, sat the officer on guard, wh
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The three Princes were placed in a gharee, or native carriage, and, guarded by Hodson's nat
September 23.-The next day I started with D--, of my regiment, to view the Jama Masjid, or
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us approaching. Interference or remonstrance with these men would have been useless, if not
them, and they would return to their homes. These men had been newly raised, were scarcely
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decrepit old men and women with groups of young children. It was a pitiable sight, drawing
of the old provost-sergeant were full. Disguised sepoys and inhabitants taken with arms in
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Still writhing with pain, and engaged in his involuntary saltatory exercise, he pointed to
great a distance from the city and also free from the enemy's attacks; the only danger and
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witnessed recurred to my memory, visions of diseased and putrid livers rose before my view,
pistols, and opening the doors of the ghari, saw, as I fancied, some forms disappearing in
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precious part of my luggage-We were glad to recover. The change to Umballah was at first be
THE RICHES OF DELHI
The quiet which reigned during that period had a salutary effect on the prosperity of Delhi
The riches of the city of Delhi and the opulence of its Princes and merchants had been cele
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on the day of assault, and not dispersing in scattered bands or alone through the streets o
It is needless to say that this roused a storm of indignation not only amongst the Delhi fo
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To return to General Wilson's order of September 7. Notices were circulated throughout the
demonstrated soon after our arrival in England. An unusual number of non-commissioned offic
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reluctant to disobey the order which had been issued, refrained from looting on their own a
to the eye, and one calculated to raise the spirit of greed in my breast to possess myself
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happen to find. Carrying with us the necessary tools, such as hammers, spades, and pickaxes
was the closet of the establishment-the walls of which were whitewashed, the floor being co
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All these various articles we spread out on the floor of the room, examining each again and
to his comrade, "Well! that fellow, at any rate, has plenty of loot about him." Our next gr
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conversant, proved the influence of the rival Hindoo race. There was a very cogent reason f
the furniture was smashed, and the contents of the room strewn about the floor. There were
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of some twenty of the most beautiful, comprising portraits of Zeenat Mahal, the favourite w
other well-known indications we felt convinced that his goods were concealed underground, a
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days of 1857, and of the traditional wealth of the country, still exists amongst the nation
6
THE REVOLUTIONARY UPHEAVAL
OF
1857
Although dismissed by some as merely a sepoy's mutiny or revolt, or as a protest against th
EARLY PRECEDENTS
Neither was it a bolt out of the blue. Although not very well known, the period between 176
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first report of the Torture Commission at Madras presented to the British House of Commons
TESTIMONIALS TO THE TORTURE COMMISSION
are severely tortured." A Brahmin along with several covillagers was ordered to provide fre
Presented in 1856 and 1857 to the British House of Commmons
(Selected Excerpts) "Last year, as our peasanum (principal paddy or rice crops) failed for
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Desperate communities had often no choice but to resist to the bitter end. Armed revolts br
SEETHING GRIEVANCES
advancement - since all positions of authority were monopolized by the Europeans. Many of t
For instance, in the Bengal Army, the 140,000 Indians who were employed as "Sepoys" were co
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cities are merely heaps of ruins..." All this inevitably prepared the ground for the far mo
EXPRESSIONS OF POPULAR WILL
equal representation of Hindus and Muslims. The rebel government abolished taxes on article
OVERPOWERED BY BRITISH MIGHT, BETRAYED BY THE PRINCES
Threatened by such a radical turn of events, the British rulers poured in immense resources
The rebels established a Court of Administration consisting of ten members - six from the a
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much brutality as the British. Plundering, violence, massacre - things that everywhere else
KEY LANDMARKS IN THE INDIAN FREEDOM STRUGGLE
"Nadir Shah looted the country only once. But the British loot us every day. Every year wea
THE BOYCOTT OF FOREIGN GOODS
An early form of economic nationalism was seen in Shikarpur (Sindh), when the Pritam Dharma
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India since India was to remain a part of the British empire, it was an important step towa
EARLY CALLS FOR COMPLETE INDEPENDENCE: THE EMERGENCE OF THE GHADAR PARTY
At a time when Gandhi was still addressing "War Recruitment Melas'', Dr. Tuljaram Khilnani
The first Indian political organization to call for complete independence from British rule
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213
Soldiers in the Hongkong regiments were arrested and courtmartialed for distributing Ghadar
leadership of the Congress was forced to confront it's conservatism and give a somewhat mor
OTHER RADICAL FORCES
But in contrast to the foot-dragging of the Congress, other far more radical forces were al
214
War of Independence
215
and in spite of the repression they faced, their message continued to draw followers. But t
It was thus inevitable that young revolutionaries would seek inspiration from other and mor
EMERGENCE OF THE ARMED REVOLUTIONARIES
Virtually all the armed revolutionaries had participated enthusiastically in the non-violen
216
War of Independence
217
earlier. But when the non-cooperation movement was suddenly suspended by Gandhi, the more r
On 8 April 1929, HSRA embarked on a plan to throw a bomb in the Central Legislative Assembl
218
War of Independence
219
'Revolt Groups,' the most active and famous was the Chittagong group led by Surya Sen. Sury
TRADE UNION RESISTANCE
In addition, a wave of strikes confronted the British authorities once again. Although the
220
War of Independence
Building up to the Quit India Movement
221
Movement Netaji was able to demonstrate by example how to achieve Hindu-Muslim unity and am
7
BUILDING
UP TO THE MOVEMENT
Subhas Chandra Bose attempted to lead a radical revival of the Congress and tried to steer
QUIT INDIA
By 1942, the Congress too was compelled to act boldly, and issued the Quit India call in Au
THE ROLE OF WOMEN
One of the important facets of India's freedom movement was the growing participation of wo
222
War of Independence
223
in Mumbai, Pune, Satara, Baroda, and other parts of Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Prad
THE REVOLUTIONARY PEASANTRY, ADIVASIS AND DALITS
The final phase of the Indian freedom struggle also saw peasant struggles rising to new hei
FINAL PUSH TOWARDS FREEDOM
weakened British authority in an irreparable way. The World War had compelled the British i
After the Second World War, the momentum created by the Quit India movement led to growing
224
War of Independence
225
the Indian masses into a struggle against the terror tactics of the Muslim League. The Indi
of living are raised across the board, and the benefits of modern science enable the constr
THE COLONIAL LEGACY - MYTHS AND POPULAR BELIEFS
While few educated South Asians would deny that British Colonial rule was detrimental to th
LITERACY AND EDUCATION
Several Indians are deeply concerned about why literacy rates in India are still so low. So
226
War of Independence
227
URBAN DEVELOPMENT
It is undoubtedly true that the British built modern cities with modern conveniences for th
sum of money than the East India Company has spent in the fourteen years from 1834 to 1848
IRRIGATION AND AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
There is another popular belief about British rule: 'The British modernized Indian agricult
228
War of Independence
229
provided for proper drainage of the land, undoubtedly accounting for that prosperity of Ben
MODERN MEDICINE AND LIFE EXPECTANCY
POVERTY AND POPULATION GROWTH
Several Indians when confronted with such data from the colonial period argue that the Brit
Even some serious critics of colonial rule grudgingly grant that the British brought modern
230
War of Independence
231
agricultural raw materials had also increased in similar proportions. Land that once produc
squalid misery..." This in spite of the fact that in 1922 - an 11 hour day was the norm (as
ANCIENT MONUMENTS
Perhaps the least known aspect of the colonial legacy is the early British attitude towards
232
War of Independence
233
main door, and there, beneath Shah Jahan"s lotus dome, brass bands um-pah-pahed and lords a
INDIA AND THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
India Today, Rajni Palme Dutt conclusively demonstrates how vital this was to the Industria
Perhaps the most important aspect of colonial rule was the transfer of wealth from India to
234
War of Independence
The Two-Nation Theory and Partition: A Historical Overview 235
UNFAIR TRADE
Few would doubt that Indo-British trade may have been unfair - but it may be noteworthy to
COLONIAL BENEFICIARIES
8
THE TWO-NATION THEORY AND PARTITION: A HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
An oft repeated claim by many British and other Western analysts and reporters has been tha
Another aspect of colonial rule that has remained hidden from popular perception is that Br
236
War of Independence
Islamic invaders had to fight local Islamic rulers to gain control of India? And how is it
RELIGIOUS COMMONALITY AND NATIONHOOD
intellectuals have promoted this claim as if it were within the ambit of a generally accept
First, let us examine the proposition that religious commonality is the primary motive forc
238
War of Independence
HINDU-MUSLIM COLLABORATION MUGHAL PERIOD
DURING
THE
In the 16th century, when Akbar was the emperor of the northern 2/3rds of India his closest
gained supremacy over other Hindu and Muslim rivals. During the battles for succession to t
PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE AND UNITY OF THE MASSES
There is also little in the Indian historical record to indicate that Hindus and Muslims in
240
War of Independence
were equal before god. This was the common message of Sikhism, Islamic Sufism and the Hindu
revolted, broke open the jails and stormed the British armoriesthey did it together - they
BRITISH COMMUNAL POLICY - MOTIVATIONS AND PRACTICE
Popular myths aside, a majority of India's Islamic rulers were not invaders. They rose from
242
War of Independence
with all manner of lies and cruelty - Islamic administrators knew that they had to live amo
to provoke Hindus further. They would plant Islamic religious symbols at popular Hindu shri
244
War of Independence
distortion. Lord Dufferin, Viceroy,(1884-88), was advised by the Secretary of State in Lond
THE MUSLIM LEAGUE
naturally opposed to the demand for political independence raised by the Congress. They fel
"The Muslim League entered into the second phase of its activites when it found that the Go
Maulana Azad (President of the Indian National Congress during colonial rule) writing in "I
246
War of Independence
Ghulam Hussein depended on Congress support. Yet, when the British Colonial govt. invited r
Congress was once again able to form the ministry. But these gains were enough for the Brit
PARTITION - COLONIAL CHICANERY?
As late as 1946, the Muslim League was prepared to accept autonomy. But their price for uni
248
War of Independence
by any single dominant grouping. India's Hindus were not a homogenous group. They were divi
The Muslim League had connived with the British to present partition as a fait-accompli. Wi
250
War of Independence
Bibliography
251
of the Muslims of the sub-continent. He emphasized that it was one of the greatest frauds o
B IBLIOGRAPHY
Anthony, J. Parel : Gandhi, Freedom, and Self-Rule, New Delhi, Vistaar, 2002. Arabinda Podd
252
War of Independence
Index
253
Foreman-Peck J. and Millward, R: Public and Private Ownership of British Industry 1820-1990
I NDEX
A
Adivasis, 222, 224. Administrators, 3, 6, 63, 228, 241, 242. Agreements, 36. Akbar, 173, 23
B
Bahadur Shah, 20, 27, 30, 31, 33, 37, 42, 43, 45, 47, 51, 52, 208. Bipin Chandra Pal, 209.
C
Castes, 22, 210. Chauri Chaura, 214. Child Labour, 231. Christian, 9, 10, 30, 50, 117, 236,
D
Dalits, 210, 222, 224, 246. Development, 83, 226, 227, 247, 250. Distribution, 166, 167, 19
254
War of Independence
Index
Laws, 17, 50, 203. Laxmi Bai, 54. Leaders, 13, 20, 22, 24, 28, 29, 33, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39,
255
E
East India Company, 2, 17, 20, 31, 56, 76, 202, 203, 226, 227, 233. Elections, 246, 247, 24
26, 31, 35, 42, 43, 44, 47, 48, 50, 51, 63, 201, 207, 208, 210, 212, 224, 235, 236, 237, 23
N
Nana Sahib, 20, 21, 24, 25, 34, 35, 37, 50, 53, 206. National Movement, 41, 218, 219. Nawab
I
Independence, 1, 29, 32, 36, 38, 49, 51, 53, 55, 59, 60, 64, 201, 210, 213, 214, 215, 224,
O
Occupation, 30, 33, 45, 59, 67, 120, 166, 200, 218. Operations, 9, 12, 81, 94, 122, 134, 13
F
Federation, 213. Freedom, 29, 38, 46, 62, 215, 216, 217, 220, 227, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238,
M
Majority, 42, 47, 210, 235, 240, 241, 242, 243, 245, 246, 248. Man Singh, 54, 238. Mangal P
G
Gandhi, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 223. Ghadar Movement, 2
P
Parliament, 2, 56. Policy, 1, 9, 18, 19, 28, 61, 63, 160, 191, 201, 208, 210, 214, 241, 242
J
Jehangir, 238. Jinnah, 223, 247. Judgment, 2, 40, 68, 86, 95, 121, 125, 131, 162, 173, 176.
L
Lala Lajpat Rai, 214. Language, 17, 71, 89, 107, 114, 129, 160, 193, 248, 249, 250.
H
Hindus, 3, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21,
256 Provisions, 95, 109, 120, 171, 186, 202, 207, 212.
War of Independence
War of Independence
257
T
Tantia Tope, 34, 53, 54, 206. Trade, 207, 213, 217, 219, 223, 234, 240, 249. Truth, 29, 32,
Q
Quit India Movement, 220, 221, 222, 246.
C ONTENTS
Preface
1. The Story of the Storm - 1857 2. The Truth about the Indian Mutiny of 1857 3. India's Fi
R
Rajput, 23, 42, 238. Relations, 63, 117, 133, 221, 242. Relationship, 1, 20. Religion, 7, 8
U
University, 228.
V
Violation, 201. Violence, 1, 32, 46, 146, 208, 224.
W
War of Independence, 1, 32, 49, 51, 53, 55, 59, 60, 64, 201, 240, 248. Welfare, 46, 186, 20
S
Satyagraha, 218. Sepoy Mutiny, 31, 38, 57. Shah Jehan, 173, 238, 240. Society, 28, 49, 64,
Z
Zamindari System, 222. Zamindars, 222.
Bibliography Index
WAR
OF
INDEPENDENCE

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The Story of the Storm - 1857

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