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Chapter 4 – The Dominions of the Nizam

It will clear the ground if, before I record the action of the British generals which restored order throughout central India, I deal with the events in a part of the country already slightly touched upon in the first chapter of this book, and upon the issue of which depended, to a very considerable extent, whether the rebellion would or would not extend throughout the length and breadth of southern and western India. I refer to the dominions of the Nizam.

Haidarabad

Those dominions – called after the capital, Haidarabad, the abode of Haidar – occupy a portion of India south of the Vindhya range, and enclose about ninety-five thousand three hundred and thirty-seven square miles.

Extent and boundaries of the Nizam’s dominions

Measuring from their extreme point in the north-east, they extend four hundred and seventy-five miles to the south-west, and in their widest part they give almost a similar measurement. On the north-east they are bounded by the central provinces, of which Nagpur is the capital; on the south-west by portions of the Madras Presidency; on the west by the Bombay Presidency; and on the north-west by a portion of the same presidency, by the dominions of Sindhia, and by. the Sagar and Narbada territories. A consideration of this proximity to so many inflammable points will convince the reader how dangerous would have proved a Haidarabad in arms; how essential it was that tranquillity should be maintained within her borders.

The Nizam

When the year 1857 dawned, the Nizam was Nasir-ud-daulah. This prince died, however, on the 18th of May, and was succeeded by his son Afzul-ud-daulah. The minister, Salar Jang, nephew of his predecessor,

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Suraj-ul-Mulk, had held the highest office in the state since the year 1853.

Salar Jang

He was a man of great ability, great intelligence, devoted to the interests of his country and his master. It was his pride to prove that the natives of India can be governed by natives, not only with justice, but with a regard to their habits and moles of thought, such as, he considered was impossible under alien rule. But, holding these opinions, he was, nevertheless, a sincere admirer of the British character; sensible of the absolute necessity of an overlordship, which, while interfering as little as possible with the internal affairs of a native state, should take from each the power to draw the sword against a neighbour. The British Resident at the Court of the Nizam in the early part of 1857 was Mr. Bushby. This able officer, however, died in February of that year.

Major Cuthbert Davidson

He was succeeded by Major Cuthbert Davidson, an officer of the Bengal army, who had at a previous period held the office temporarily, and who had then shown that he possessed all the qualifications necessary for discharging its duties in quiet times. Major Davidson took charge of the office of Resident on the 16th of April. In a very short time an opportunity offered for him to show the stuff he was made of.

Tumult on the accession of the new Nizam

I have already stated that on the 18th of May the Nizam, Nasir-ud-daulah, died. His son, Afzul-ud-daulah, was installed after the necessary ceremonies. But to the disaffected in Haidarabad the death of one ruler and the succession of another seemed to offer a mine of promise. The late Nizam had trusted Salar Jang. It was quite possible that his successor might refuse his confidence to that powerful minister. At all events an attempt might be made to discover the actual lay of the situation. Accordingly, when the men of the city of Haidarabad rose on the morning of the 12th of June, they found the walls of the city covered with placards, signed or purporting to be signed by orthodox Maulavis, calling upon the faithful to enrol themselves and murder the Europeans. Major Davidson was not the last to receive the intelligence.

Is suppressed by Major Davidson

Acting promptly and with vigour, he at once requested the general to parade his entire force in full marching order, with forty rounds of ammunition per man. This parade impressed the disaffected immensely. On the morning of the 15th a second parade, not less imposing, was ordered. At this the Resident was present, and addressed

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the troops52. By that time it had become known that the influence of Salar Jang was not less weighty with the new ruler than it had been with his predecessor.

and by Salar Jang

That loyal minister, on learning that a large mob had assembled near the mosque known as the Mekka mosque, and had hoisted there a green flag, sent down a corps of Arab mercenaries upon whom he could rely to disperse them. Subsequently he arrested the principal leaders of the movement, and for the moment the plague was stayed.

Bad feeling produced on the population by the news from the north-west

Only, however, for the moment. The information which poured daily from the outer world into the city, often in an exaggerated form, made every day a deeper impression upon the minds of the more bigoted of the population. They argued that, whilst their co-religionists had risen for the faith in the north-west, it was not becoming in them to sit idle in the south. They recalled to the minds of listeners, likewise impressionable and fanatically disposed, that little more than half a century had elapsed since Dehli, the capital of the Muhammadan world of India, had fallen into the hands of the infidel; that a supreme effort had now recovered it, and that, if that effort were supported by the entire Muhammadan community of the Dakhan, the recovery would be made complete, the gain would become permanent. These were no idle words. They sank deep into the minds of the people of Haidarabad – a people that had never known European rule, and that had never welcomed its approach to their borders. In a few weeks they produced corresponding acts.

Mutiny at Haidarabad

A little before 5 o’clock on the evening of the 17th of July, five hundred of the Rohilah troops in the service of the Nizam, supported by some four thousand of the mob of Haidarabad, rose in insurrection and marched on the Residency, demanding the release of thirteen mutineers and deserters, who, caught red-handed in revolt, had been made over by Major Davidson to Salar Jang.

Salar Jang warns the Resident

That minister, who was not very well served by his agents, only heard of the outbreak just

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on the eve of its occurrence. He at once sent a special messenger to warn the Resident. Major Davidson, however, in anticipation of some such movement., had improvised defences all round the Residency, had mounted guns on the newly-erected bastions, and had warned his military secretary, Major Briggs, to arrange the troops at his disposal in the manner best calculated to meet a sudden attack.

Major Davidson’s previous preparations

Seven minutes then sufficed to send every man in the Residency to his post. The insurgents came on, in the manner of undisciplined fanatics, drunk with excitement, without order, and without leading, properly so called. A fire of grape from the ramparts sent them reeling back. They came on again, only similarly to be received, and similarly to retire.

Repulse and defeat of the rebels

Staggered by this reception, they were beginning to recover from their mental intoxication, when a charge of the Nizam’s troops decided them to flee in confusion. Many of them then took refuge in a two-storied house, at the end of a narrow street. In this place it was resolved to allow them to stay till the morning. They did not, however, avail themselves of the permission. Mining under the floor, they escaped during the night. In this attack on the Residency, several of the rebels were killed; in their flight from the Nizam’s troops more were taken prisoners.

and capture of their leaders

Amongst the latter were the two ringleaders, Torabaz Khan and Maulavi Alla-ud-din. The former, attempting to escape, was shot dead; the latter was tried, convicted, and transported to the Andaman Islands.

Good effect produced at Haidarabad

The manner in which this wanton attack terminated produced a very salutary effect on the minds of the Haidarabad population. It showed them very clearly that their own rulers, men of their own faith, sided with the British. It needed but one word from Salar Jang to rouse the entire country. Not only was that word not spoken, but the fanatic Muhammadans were made clearly to understand that, in the event of their rising, they would have to deal, not with the British only, but with their own Government as well.

The situation still critical

Still the situation grew daily more critical. The city of Haidarabad had ever been filled with military adventurers. The custom of importing Arabs from beyond the sea, and of forming of them regiments of peculiar trust, had long prevailed.

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by reason of the numerous adventurers

But, in addition to the Arabs, there used to come from every part of India those adventurous spirits to whom the sober administration of the British gave no avocation. From Rohilkhand, from the Punjab, from Sindh, from Dehli, and from the border-land beyond the Indus, men of this stamp had never been wanting. To them were added, in the autumn of 1857, adventurers more dangerous still. The mutinied and disbanded Sipahis who had been unable to reach Dehli, or whose offers had been rejected by Sindhia, poured in shoals into Haidarabad.

crowding into the city.

Combining with the other classes I have mentioned, and who gave them a cordial welcome, they helped to swell the ranks of the disaffected and to impart to them a discipline in which the others were lacking.

The effect of rumours

The presence of these men added not a little to the difficulties of Salar Jang and the Nizam. Every rumour of misfortunes befalling the British arms, which reached the city, roused feelings which might at any moment prelude an outbreak. If we think of all that was happening in the North-Western provinces – of the massacre of Kanhpur, of the long siege of Dehli of the leaguer of Lakhnao, of Havelock’s three retirements, of the events at Agra, at India, at Jhansi, at Bandah – wo shall understand very easily why this was so.

upon an inflammable people

It must be remembered, too, that rumour magnified every skirmish into a battle, every repulse of the British into a catastrophe, whilst it but faintly whispered, or whispered only to discredit, the , victories gained by the foreigners. When we think of the news of these disasters coming upon an inflammable people, hating, with the intolerant hate of religion, the dominant infidel, armed to the teeth, and chafing under their forced inaction, we may well wonder how peace was, by any means, preserved.

Loyalty of the Nizam

But peace was preserved – mainly owing to the excellent understanding between the Government of the Nizam and the British Resident.

Reinforcements

Whilst the former used all those arts which a powerful native government has so well at command, to check the fanatical ardour of the disaffected, the Resident, acting in concert with the Nizam, applied for a larger force of European troops to overawe the same class. In

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consequence of these representations Davidson received later in the year a reinforcement of a regiment of cavalry, a regiment of infantry, and some artillery.

Davidson suggests the employment of the Haidarabad contingent in central India

Whilst thus securing his base, Major Davidson was not unmindful of another means for employing the trained soldiers of the Nizam – the soldiers of the Haidarabad contingent, led by English officers – in a manner which might transfer the sympathies of the great bulk of the people, from whose ranks those soldiers were drawn, to the British cause. Acting in concurrence, then, with the Nizam and Salar Jang, and with the full approval of the Government of India, he formed towards the beginning of 1858 a brigade from the regiments of the contingent, and sent it to act in central India. This brigade was composed of the 1st, 3rd, and 4th regiments of cavalry, of the 3rd and 5th regiments of infantry, and of three field-batteries of artillery. The splendid deeds of these troops will be narrated in their proper place. But I will not wait to record that the other purpose which had suggested this action to Major Davidson was entirely accomplished.

Successful result of Davidson’s policy

The successes obtained by these soldiers elated the relations they had left behind them, and these came, in a very brief period, to regard as their own the cause for which their kinsmen were fighting. From that time forward all anxiety ceased in Haidarabad itself. In some parts of the districts the disturbances which arose were eagerly quelled, and, with one exception, no chieftain of rank showed the smallest inclination to question the wisdom of the policy adopted by the Nizam and his minister.

Shorapur

That exception was the Rajah of Shorapur53. Shorapur is a small territory situated in the south-west angle of the Nizam’s dominions.

Its condition antecedent to the mutiny

The Hindu chief who had ruled it had, fifteen years prior to 1857, fallen into pecuniary difficulties so great that he found himself unable to fulfil his obligations to his suzerain, the Nizam. Certain arrangements, unnecessary here to detail, followed, which ended, after the death of the Rajah, in the administration of the country falling for a time into the hands of the British. This arrangement lasted

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till 1853, when the country was handed over to the native ruler in a very flourishing condition.

Character and conduct of the Rajah of Shorapur

The young. Rajah, however, soon dissipated his resources; and, finally, became so embarrassed as to be utterly reckless. He was in this state of mind when the events of 1857 occurred. With the record of the disasters attending the British came whispers of the advantages which must accrue to him from a successful rebellion.

he levies troops

The Rajah had not the strength of mind to resist the temptation. Intoxicated by the promises made him, he called together the men of his own clan, and began to levy Rohilah and Arab mercenaries.

Davidson takes decisive measures

Full intelligence of the doings of the Rajah was quickly conveyed to Major Davidson. Well aware that to prevent an outbreak even by an extravagant display of force was far wiser and far cheaper than to allow it to come to a head, Davidson at once took decisive measures. Acting in concert with Lord Elphinstone, who displayed on this occasion, as on every other, a far-sighted policy and a rare unselfishness, he called up, with the sanction of that nobleman, from the Bombay Presidency a force under Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm, consisting of a detachment of European troops, the Maratha Horse, the 15th Bombay Native Infantry, and a battery of artillery.

and surrounds the country

This force he located at a point equidistant between the Shorapur and the southern Maratha country. At the same time he arranged that a force from the Madras Presidency, under Major Hughes, should watch the eastern frontier of Shorapur, whilst he detached four hundred men and two guns of the Haidarabad contingent, commanded by Captain Wyndham, to occupy Linsugur, ready to act in concert with either of the other forces, as necessity might require.

Despatches Rose Campbell to save him

Before these preparations had been completed Cuthbert Davidson, hoping to save the Rajah from his own folly, despatched to his court, early in January 1858, one of his own most trusted assistants, Captain Rose Campbell. Campbell, however, only wasted his efforts. The Rajah had given himself to the fanatical party.

But fruitlessly

Not only did he continue deaf to all entreaties, but he was, it is believed, prepared to connive at the murder of his guest. This, at least, is certain, that Captain Campbell received an intimation from the Rajah’s

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own relatives and servants that his life was in imminent danger.

It would have been fruitless to temporise further. Captain Campbell proceeded to Linsugur and ordered Wyndham to march on Shorapur.

Wyndham moves on Shorapur

Wyndham started at once and retched Shorapur on the 7th of February. As he approached, the Rajah, as is customary in such cases, sent his own servants to indicate a proper encamping-ground.

Sees through and avoids a snare laid for him by the Rajah.

The servants led Wyndham to the place selected – a narrow valley surrounded by lofty hills and rocks. But Wyndham, though but a captain, was too old a soldier to fall into the trap. He moved on to an open plain, where he was comparatively safe from danger of surprise.

The Rajah’s troops attack Wyndham

That night Wyndham was attacked by a force composed of the clansmen of the Rajah, of Arabs and Rohilahs, estimated at from five thousand to seven thousand strong. The attack continued all night, but its result was never doubtful. Wyndham, aided by Rose Campbell and the medical officer, Dr. Williamson, barricaded the position, and with the guns kept up a continuous fire.

who repulses them.

At 1 o’clock in the morning, he was reinforced by a hundred cavalry of the Haidarabad contingent. The rebels then ceased their attack, and occupied the heights near the town.

Hughes arrives to the rescue

Meanwhile, expresses had been sent to Major Hughes and Colonel Malcolm. Major Hughes, with two companies 74th Highlanders and some Madras cavalry, arrived first, early on the morning of the 8th. Joining his troops to those of Wyndham, Hughes at once attacked the rebels. A squadron of the 8th Madras cavalry, commanded by Captain Newberry, led the attack, and charged a body of Rohilahs. Unfortunately, Newberry and his subaltern, Lieutenant Stewart, better mounted than their men, dashed into the middle of the rebels before their men could follow them. Newberry was killed, and Stewart was severely wounded.

and defeats the rebels

The enemy, however, were driven from the heights above the town.

who retire into the city

The city being very strong, the approaches to it difficult of access, and the walls and bastions crowded with defenders, Hughes thought it advisable to wait for

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Colonel Malcolm’s force, which was expected that night, before attempting anything further.

The Rajah flees in the night to Haidarabad where he is taken prisoner

But the Rajah did not wait for Malcolm. Dispirited by the failure of his attack on Wyndham, and aware that reinforcements were approaching, he gave up the game as precipitately as he had entered upon it, and, accompanied by a few horsemen, fled that night towards Haidarabad. Arriving there, with but two followers in his train, he made a fruitless attempt to gain the protection of the Arabs. Despairing of a refuge, he was found wandering in the bazaar, was apprehended, and taken to Salar Jang, who made him over to the Resident.

Malcolm enters the town

The departure of the Rajah led to the immediate evacuation of Shorapur by the hostile bands. Colonel Malcolm, who arrived on the evening of the 8th, entered the town the following morning and found it almost deserted. Captain Rose Campbell assumed charge of the administration of the country54.

The tranquillity of the Dakhan assured in great measure by

So ended the only serious attempt made to disturb the tranquillity of the Dakhan55. The preservation of that tranquillity was essential to the maintenance of the British power in India. There can be no question but that the rising of Haidarabad, headed by the Nizam, would have been a blow struck at the heart. The whole of western and southern India would have followed. Central India, the dominions of Holkar, and Rajputana, could not have escaped; and it is more than probable that the communications between Calcutta and the North-West would have been severed.

Lord Elphinstone, Lord Harris, Major Davidson and the officers acting under his orders

That this calamity did not occur is due to many causes. The far-sighted and generous policy of Lord Elphinstone did much; the Governor of Madras, Lord Harris, contributed all that was possible for a man in his high position to contribute.

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but mainly by the Nizam and Salar Jang.

Major Cuthbert Davidson displayed a skill, a tact, and an energy far above the average; he was well served by his subordinates: Colonel Malcolm, Major Hughes, Captain Wyndham, and their comrades executed with marked ability the tasks entrusted to them. But the efforts of these men, great and valuable as they were, would have been utterly unavailing, had the Nizam and his minister not seconded them. For three months the fate of India was in the hands of Afzul-ud-daulah and Salar Jang. Their wise policy proved that they preferred the certain position of a protected state to the doubtful chances of a resuscitation of the Dehli monarchy under the auspices of revolted Sipahis.

Footnotes

52. The garrison at or near Haidarabad consisted of a battalion of artillery, the 7th Madras Light Cavalry: the 3rd Madras Europeans; the 1st, 22nd, 24th, 34th, 41st, 42nd, and 49th Native Infantry. The force, known as “The Haidarabad Subsidiary Force,” was commended by Brigadier, afterwards Sir Isaac Coffin.

53. For a most interesting account of the Rajah of Shorapur and the causes which led him to revolt, I refer the reader to the Story of My Life, by the late Colonel Meadows Taylor, one of the most charming of autobiographies.

54. The story of the Rajah’s end is tragical. He was sentenced to death, but the Governor-General commuted the punishment to four years’ imprisonment, after which he might be restored to his territory. The very day the Rajah received this news he shot himself, Colonel Meadows Taylor thinks accidentally. – Vide Story of My Life, Vol. II.

55. The literal meaning of the term “Dakhan” is “south.” Hence the south of India is called “The Dakhan,” i.e. “the south.” It is often incorrectly spelt “Deccan,” “Dekhan,” “Dekkan.”

This collection transcribed by Chris Gage
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