History of the Indian Mutiny of 1857–8

Edited by Colonel G. B. Malleson, in six volumes

Volume 1

By Sir John Kaye, K.C.S.I., F.R.S.

1914

I should have dedicated these volumes to Lord Canning, had he lived; I now inscribe them reverentially to his memory.

... For to think that an handful of people can, with the greatest courage and policy in the world, embrace too large extent of dominion, it may hold for a time, but it will fail suddenly. – Bacon.

... As for mercenary forces (which is the help in this case), all examples show that, whatsoever estate, or prince, doth rest upon them, he may spread his feathers for a time, but he will mew them soon after. – Bacon.

If there be fuel prepared, it is hard to tell whence the spark shall come that shall set it on fire. the matter of sedition’s is of two kinds, much poverty and much discontentment. it is certain, so many overthrown estates, so many votes for troubles. ... The causes and motives for sedition are, innovations in religion, taxes, alteration of laws and customs, breaking of privileges, general oppression, advancement of unworthy persons, strangers, deaths, disbanded soldiers, factions grows desperate; and whatsoever in offending people joineth and knitteth them in a common cause. – Bacon

Page xiii

Contents of Volume I

Editor’s Preface

Author’s Preface

Book 1 – Introductory

Chapter 1

Administration of Lord Dalhousie – First Occupation of the Panjab – Sir Henry Lawrence and the Council of Regency – Character of Sir Henry Lawrence – Work of Lawrence and his School – Sir Frederick Currie succeeds Lawrence – The Marquess of Dalhousie – Mulraj and Multan – The Attack on Vans Agnew and Anderson – The second Sikh War – Herbert Edwardes – Siege of Multan – Defection of Sher Singh – Chatar Singh rises in the Hazarah – Emphatic Declaration of Lord Dalhousie – Lord Gough – Combat of Ramnagar – Sir Henry Lawrence returns to India – Capture of Multan – Chilianwala – The Afghans join the Sikhs – Decisive Battle of Gujrat – Annexation of the Panjab, and reasons for the same – Dhulip Singh – The Board of Administration – “They found much to do, little to undo” – The Panjab System – The Board of Administration superseded by Mr. John Lawrence – Conquest and Annexation of Pegu.

Chapter 2

The Question of “Adoption” – Satarah and the Right of Lapse – Satarah is Annexed – Annexation of Nagpur – Jhansi – Annexation of Jhansi – Karauli – Lord Dalhousie is refused permission to annex Karauli – Sambhalpur is annexed – Treatment of the Peshwa – Of his Heir – The Nana appeals to England – His Appeal is rejected – Azim-ullah Khan – Empty Titular Dignities dangerous Possessions.

Chapter 3

Oudh – Early connection with Oudh – Misrule of the Kings of Oudh – Problem before the Government of India – Lord William Bentinck’s Scheme rejected – Views of Sir John Low – A fresh Treaty is signed with a new King – The new Treaty foolishly disallowed by the Court of Directors – Lord Hardinge warns Wajid Ali – Misrule of Wajid Ali – Colonel Sleeman’s Report – His Advice not to interfere with the Revenues of the Country – Sir James Outram is sent to Oudh – Outram reports in favour of virtual Annexation – Lord Dalhousie supports Outram’s Views – The Court of Directors approve – Outram is directed to enter and take possession of Oudh – Details of the annexation of Oudh.

Chapter 4

Destruction of the Territorial Nobility of India – Settlement Operations – The Talukdar – The Administrative Agency – The Thomason System – Treatment of the Native Gentry – Rent-free Tenures – Resumption Operations – The Bombay Inam Commission – Depression of the Upper Classes – The Priesthood – Brahmanism – Progress of enlightenment – Education – Female Education – Re-marriage of Hindu Widows – The Railway and the Telegraph – Caste – Prison Discipline – Muhammadan Alarms – The Hindu and the Lotah – Inflammability of the Native Mind

Book 2 – The Sipahi Army

Chapter 1

India was won by the Sword – The Fidelity of the Native Army an accepted Theory – Lord Dalhousie’s Minute on the Sipahi Army – First Sipahi Levies – The first Mutiny in Bengal – Clive and the Bengal Officers – Degradation of the Native Officer – Effect of Caste on Discipline – The Sipahi Officer – The Reorganisation of 1796 ,and its consequences – Effect on the Sipahi of a Period of Peace – Mutiny at Vellur, and its Causes – Excitement at Haidarabad – Conduct of the Nizam – Conspiracy at Nandidrug – Is baffled by the Vigilance of Captain Baynes – Alarms at Paliamkotta – And at Walajahabad – The Government disavow in a Proclamation the Plans attributed to them by the Natives – Afterthoughts on the Causes of the Excitement – Views of the Home Government

Chapter 2

Mutiny of the Madras Officers, 1809 – Contrast between the English Soldier and the Sipahi – Civil Privileges of the Sipahi – The Sipahi and his Officer – The Policy of Centralisation, and its Consequences – The Transfer of Officers to the Staff – Grievances of the Soldiery – The Reorganisation of 1824, and its Results – The Dislike of the Bengal Sipahis to Shipboard – The Mutiny at Barrackpur – The Half-Batta Order – The Abolition of Corporal Punishment and its Reintroduction

Chapter 3

The effect of the Afghan War on the Sipahis – Sindh and the Reduction of Extra-Batta – Mutinies of the 34th N.I., the 7th L.C., the 4th, the 64th, and the 69th N.I. – Mutiny of the 6th Madras Cavalry – And of the 47th Madras N.I. – Penal Measures for Mutinous Regiments – Disbandment simply an Expedient – and Ineffective.

Chapter 4

The Patna Conspiracy – Mutiny of the 22nd N. I. at Rawalpindi – Suppressed by Colin Campbell – Sir C. Napier makes a Tour of Inspection in the Panjab – Colonel Hearsey represses Incipient Mutiny at Wazirabad – The 66th N.I. Mutiny; are baffled by the Gallantry of Macdonald and disbanded – Sir Charles .Napier’s Action is condemned by Lord Dalhousie – Dalhousie is Supported by the Duke of Wellington, and Napier resigns 233 – Evil Effect of the Controversy on the Native Mind – The just Grievances of the Sipahi are not recognised by the Authorities

Chapter 5

Moral Deterioration of the Sipahi – His Character – The Dangerous Feature of his Character – Its Better Side – Defects in the Military System affecting him – The Question of Caste considered – And of Nationalities – Of Separation from his Family – Of the different Systems of Promotion – Of the European Officers – Of the Intermixture of European Troops – The Proportion of the Latter dangerously small – Rumours current during the Crimean War – Some Effects of the Annexation of Oudh – Summary of Deteriorating Influences

Book 3 – The Outbreak of the Mutiny

Chapter 1

Lord Dalhousie leaves India – Character of Lord Dalhousie – His great Error based upon Benign Intentions – Antecedents of Lord Canning – Succeeds Lord Dalhousie as Governor-General – Speech of, at the Farewell Banquet – Reaches Egypt – Disembarks at Calcutta – His Initiation – Sir John Low – Mr. Doris and Mr. J. P. Grant – Mr. Barnes Peacock – General Anson

Chapter 2

The Administration of Oudh – Question of Successor to Sir James Outram Debated – Mr. Coverley Jackson is Appointed – Quarrels between the New Commissioner and Mr. Gubbins – The Ex-King of Oudh takes up his abode at Garden Reach – The Queen-Mother proceeds to England to make a Personal Appeal . 295 – She dies in Paris – Grievances of the Ex-King – Discontent of Lord Canning with Mr. Coverley Jackson, and its Cause – Rupture with Persia – The Question of Herat Stated – The British Minister quits Teheran – Feeling of Dost Muhammad respecting Herat – Lord Canning’s Views on the Crisis – War declared with Persia – Question of Command – Lord Canning’s Views – Lord Elphinstone’s Views – Sir James Outram is nominated to Command – Central Asian Policy – The Amir Dust Muhammad – Herbert Edwardes – Suggests the Advisability of a Personal Conference with the Amir – The Amir accepts the Invitation – Interview between John Lawrence and the Amir at Peshawar – Results in a Cordial Understanding – An English Mission sent to Kandahar – Menus of Agreement with the Amir – John Lawrence doubts his good Faith – The Future of Herat – Lord Canning appoints Sir Henry Lawrence to be Chief Commissioner of Oudh – Sir Henry Lawrence takes up his Office

Chapter 3

Retrospect of 1856 – Policy regarding the Native Army – Evils of Extended Dominion – Lord Dalhousie and the 38th N.I. – How to send Reliefs to Pegu – The Duty to devolve temporarily on the Madras Army – Lord Canning alters the Enlistment Act – Effect of the Alteration on the Mind of the Sipahi – Enlistment of more Sikhs – Apprehensions and Alarms in the Native Mind – Lord Canning and the Religious Societies – Progress of Social Reform – Excess of Zeal in propagating Christianity – The King of Dehli and Persia – Rumours of coming Absorptions of Hindu States – The Century since Plassey .

Chapter 4

The rising Storm – The old-fashioned Musket to be replaced by an improved Weapon – Story of the greased Cartridges – Spread of evil Tidings . – Disseminators of Evil . – The Barrackpur Brigade – General Hearsey reports an Ill-feeling in the Brigade – Incendiarism and Excitement at Barrackpur . – The 19th N. I., at Barhampuir. mutinies – Details of the early History of their Mutiny . – Story of the Mutiny of the 19th N.I. – A Court of Inquiry assembles

Chapter 5

The Military Hierarchy in India considered – Delays thereby Caused – Inquiry proves that but few greased Cartridges had been issued – Orders are transmitted not to use those issued – Composition of the Cartridges – Causes of Alarm among the Sipahis – General Hearsey realises the Danger – The Sipahis are asked to state their Grievances before a Court of Inquiry – General Hearsey addresses them in Hindustani – But does not convince them – The 84th arrives from Rangun – Circumstances connected with Sindhia’s Visit to Calcutta – Rumours of Intended Revolt – Hearsey again addresses the Brigade – And again fails to make a permanent Impression – The Story of Manghal Pandi – Disbandment of the 19th N.I. – Hearsey addresses the Brigade for the third time

Chapter 6

Sentence executed on Manghal Pandi – Discontent of the 34th N.I. – Delay versus Prompt Action – Retrospect of Events at Ambalah – Alarm at that Station – The Commander-in-Chief addresses the Men – The Native Officers express their Opinions on the Crisis – Views of the Commander-in-Chief – And of Lord Canning – The general Excitement finds a vent in general Incendiarism – Views of Sir Henry Barnard on the Crisis – Events at Mirath – The Story of the Ground Bones – And of the Chapatis – Political Intrigues – Nana Sahib – Sir Henry Lawrence at Lakhnao – Intrigues of Nana Sahib.

Chapter 7

Return of Confidence at Calcutta and elsewhere – The 34th N. I. is Disbanded – Sir H. Lawrence reports the 48th N.I. to be shaky – The 7th Oudh Irregulars mutiny at Lakhnao – Sir Henry Lawrence quells the Revolt – Reports Interesting Conversation with a Native Officer – Lord Canning in favour of Disbandment as a Punishment – The Mutiny begins at Mirath 10th May, 1857 – The Week of exciting Telegrams – The Mutineers seize Dehli – Measures taken by Lord Canning – Is cheered by the Conclusion of the Persian War – Calls upon Lord Elgin and General Ashburnham to divert to India the Troops destined for China – Sends for Troops from Burmah and Madras – General Measures of Defence taken at the Moment – Communication with Lord Elgin . – And with General Ashburnham – Issues a Proclamation declaring the Purity of the Intentions of the Government – Confers large Powers upon Responsible Officers – Lords Harris and Elphinstone – The Lawrences – Movements and Views of John Lawrence – Sir Henry Lawrence’s Suggestions – Was it Mutiny or Rebellion?

Appendix

This collection transcribed by Chris Gage
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