History of the Indian Mutiny of 1857–8

Volume 5

By Colonel Malleson, C.S.I.

1897

I inscribe this volume to the memory of the late

SIR HENRY MARION DURAND, K.C.S.I.,

a man who combined a rare greatness of soul and a perfect genius for affairs with simplicity of manners, directness of purpose, and a detestation of all that is mean and false. As wise in counsel as he was prompt and decided in action, he met all the storms of life with fortitude, rendering ever, alike by his action and his example, unsurpassed services to his country. After a service full of honour, extending over forty-two years, he died in the performance of his duty. “He left a reputation without spot – the best inheritance he could bequeath to his children.”

Table of Contents

Preface

List and short Description of Places mentioned in this Volume

Book 13 – Bombay, Central India, and the Dakhan

Chapter 1 – Lord Elphinstone, Mr. Seton-Karr, and Mr. Forjett

Definition of the Bombay Presidency – Previous Indian Career of Lord Elphinstone – His Qualifications for Office in troublous Times – Prompt Measures taken by Lord Elphinstone on hearing of the Mutiny at Mirath – Despatches all available Troops to Calcutta – Noble Response given at the Mauritius and the Cape to his Requisitions – Proposes to send a fast Steamer to England – The Policy of “Offensive Defence” – To carry out this Policy Lord Elphinstone forms a Column under General Woodburn – Woodburn allows himself to be diverted to Aurangabad . – State of Aurangabad – Woodburn disarms the disaffected Troops – Lord Elphinstone continues to urge an Advance on Mau – Colonel Stuart succeeds to the Command and moves forward – Lord Elphinstone sends Troops into Rajputana – The Southern Maratha Country and Mr. Seton-Karr – Effect of the Inam Commission on the landowners of the Southern Maratha Country – Effect on the same Class of the abolition of the Right of Adoption – Mr. Seton-Karr tries to soothe the Chiefs – They learn of the Revolt at Mirath – General Lester and the military condition of the country – Influence of Nana Sahib on the Southern Maratha Chiefs – Mr. Seton-Karr applies for extended powers – Which he employs most judiciously – General Lester and Mr. Seton-Karr foil, by judicious Action, the Plans of the disaffected at Belgaon – They punish the Ringleaders of a Plot – Reinforcements arrive, and the Danger, for the Time, passes away – Review of Mr. Seton-Karr’s Measures – Sketch of previous History of Kolhapur – Mutinous Combination of the Native Regiments at Kolhapur, Belgaon, and Dhawar – The Regiment at Kolhapur mutinies – Lord Elphinstone sends Colonel Le Grand Jacob to Kolhapur – Before he arrives the Mutiny is suppressed – Jacobs disarms the Mutineers – Bombay – General Shortt – Mr. Forjett – General Shortt, Mr. Forjett, Lord Elphinstone, and the Muharram – Excitement of the Sipahis at Bombay on the fifth Night of the Muharram – Forjett gallops up alone: the sight of him increases their Fury – Forjett, by his Courage and Daring, completely dominates them – His great Services – The Sipahis hatch a new Conspiracy – Which is discovered and baffled by Forjett – Review of Lord Elphinstone’s Measures – His Merits never adequately acknowledged

Chapter 2 – Central India and Durand

The Fort and Garrison of Asirgarh – Mutinous Disposition of a Portion of the Garrison – The Mutineers are disarmed – Stuart’s Column reaches Asirgarh and is joined by Durand – Who accompanies it to Mau as supreme political authority – Considerations which induced Durand to defer the Punishment of Holkar’s mutinous Troops – Condition of the towns in the districts – Mandesar – A rising in Central India intended – Dhar – Suspicious conduct of the Dhar Durbar – Durand moves against Dhar, beats the Rebels outside – And invests the Fort – The Rebels evacuate it on the eve of the Day fixed for the Storm – The Rebels plunder Mehidpur – By the Capture of Dhar and Amjhera Durand saves the Lines of the Narbada – Arrival of the remaining Troops of the Haidarabad Contingent – Orr pursues the Rebels, and recovers the Spoils of Mehidpur – Durand reaches the Chambal – Fatuity of the Rebels in not disputing the Passage – They move on the British before Mandesar and are beaten – Durand threatens alike the Rebels at Mandesar and Minach – Fierce combat at Goraria – The Blow struck there by the British decides the Campaign – Durand returns to Indur, and disarms and causes the disarming of Holkar’s Troops – Interview between Holkar and Durand – Great Services rendered by Durand – Officers who distinguished themselves during the Campaign

Chapter 3 – the Sagar and Narbada Territories, and Nagpur

The Sagar and Narbada Territories – Sketch of the later History of those Territories – Mr. Colvin, Captain Ternan, and the Sadr Board of Revenue – The introduction of the “Chapatis” into the Territories – Captain Ternan detects their hidden Meaning – His superior officer ridicules Ternan’s solution – The Government of the North-West Provinces and the Rajah of Dilheri – The Blindness and Injustice of the Government contrasted with the Enlightenment of Ternan and the Loyalty of the Rajah – Brigadier Sage at Sagar – Mutiny at Lalitpur – The Rajah of Banpur rebels – Major Gaussen’s Sipahis mutiny and join that Rajah – Sage moves the Europeans into Sagar Fort, and the 42nd Native Infantry and the 3rd Irregulars mutiny – The loyal 31st Native fight with the rebel 42nd Native Infantry – Jabalpur and the 52nd Native Infantry – The Kamthi column reaches Jabalpur – The 52nd Native Infantry mutiny and murder MacGregor – A Column of Madras Troops marches against the 52nd Native Infantry – And defeats them – Death of Colonel Dalyell – the Country still ravaged by Rebels – Ternan and Woolley in Narsinhpur – Nagod: mutiny of the 50th Native Infantry – Willoughby Osborne and Rewah – Tact and Judgment displayed by Willoughby Osborne – These Qualities save Rewah – Nagpur and Mr. Plowden – Plowden has the Native Levies disarmed – The Loyalty of the Madras Army saves the Position – Credit due to Mr. Plowden

Chapter 4 – The Dominions of the Nizam

Haidarabad and the Dominions of the Nizam – The reigning Nizam and Solar Jang – Major Cuthbert Davidson – Feeling produced in the Minds of the Population by the News from the North-West – Mutinous Outbreak at Haidarabad – Put down by Major Davidson – Bad Effect of the Advent of Adventurers from other Parts – The Loyalty of the Nizam the surest Guarantee of Peace – Major Davidson’s far-sighted Policy – The Rajah of Shorapur displays disloyal Symptoms – Major Davidson sends Troops to awe him – The Rajah’s Troops attack the British – They are totally defeated – The Rajah commits Suicide – Credit due to the Nizam and Sonar Jung

Book 14 – Central India, Kirwi, Gwaliar, and the Southern Maratha Country

Chapter 1 – Sir Hugh Rose in Central India

Sir Robert Hamilton arrives in Calcutta – His Plan for restoring Order in Central India is accepted – He arrives at Indur and relieves Durand – Sir Hugh Rose – Sir Hugh Rose takes Command of the Central India Field Force and Whitlock is appointed to direct the Madras Column – Composition of Sir Hugh Rose’s force – The Force rests at Mau pending News from Whitlock – Sir Hugh and the 2nd Brigade then advance on Rahatgarh – Siege of Rahatgarh – The Rajah of Banpur marches to the Relief of the Place – Sir Hugh beats him, whereupon Rahatgarh is evacuated – Sir Hugh again beats the Rajah at Barodia – Then marches into, and relieves, Sagar – Sir Hugh matches against Garhakota – Whence he drives the Rebels – Sir Hugh again waits for News of Whitlock – Then pushes on towards Jhansi – Combat at the Mandanpur Pass – Which Sir Hugh carries, thus turning the Rebels’ Position and forcing them to evacuate very many strong Places – Meanwhile Stuart and the 2nd Brigade march on Chanderi – Storming of Chanderi – Reasons why Lord Canning and Sir Colin Campbell ordered Sir Hugh to abandon, for the time, the March on Jhansi – Sir R. Hamilton takes upon himself the Responsibility of setting aside their orders; his reasons and his justification – The Fort and City of Jhansi – The Siege of Jhansi – Tantia Topi marches to relieve Jhansi – Sir Hugh resolves to maintain the Siege and at the same Time to meet Tantia in the open – Sir Hugh attacks Tantia Topi on the Betwa – Gallantry and Conduct of Stuart – Complete defeat of Tantia Topi – Sir Hugh prepares to storm Jhansi – The Storming of Jhansi – The Force rents at Jhansi – The Councils of the Rani, of Tantia Topi, and of Rao Sahib at Kalpi – Sir Hugh and Tantia Topi alike march on Kunch – Preliminaries to the Battle of Kunch – The Battle of Kunch – Masterly Retreat of the Rebels – Sir Hugh, pushing on towards Kalpi, reaches Gulauli – Difficult country between Gulauli and Kalpi – Sir Hugh is reinforced by Maxwell on the left Bank of the Jamnah – Battle of Gulauli – Kalpi is occupied by the British – Summary of the Campaign

Chapter 2 – Kirwi, and Bandah

Composition of General Whitlock’s Force – Whitlock reaches Jabalpur on the 6th of February – Extreme Caution displayed by Whitlock – The Nawab of Bandah – Combats of Kabrai and of Bandah – Whitlock mats more than a Month at Bandah whilst Sir Hugh Rose is clearing the Way to Kalpi – Perversity of Fortune with regard to the Bandah Prize – The Rao of Kirwi – Causes of Complaint against the British Government – The Rao accords a friendly reception to Whitlock – Enormous Treasure which thus devolved upon the British – Reflections on the Transaction

Chapter 3 – Sir Hugh Rose at Gwaliar

Apparently desperate Condition of Tantia Topi and his Associates – Desperate Remedy suggested – probably by the Rani of Jhansi – The Confederates accept it and march on Gwaliar – The different Reasons affecting the Conduct, at this Crisis, of Maharajah Sindhia and his People – Sindhia marches out to meet Tantia Topi – His followers desert him and he is completely defeated – The Rebels hold and administer Gwaliar – Meanwhile Sir Hugh Rose has sent Robertson on the Track of Tantia – And subsequently Stuart – On learning of the Capture of Gwaliar by Tantia he resumes Command – Hurries in Pursuit – Reaches Morar – Attacks the Rebels at that Place – And defeats them – Brigadier Smith engages the Rebels at Kotah-ki-Sarai – Death of the Rani of Jhansi – Smith takes up a Position for the Night – He is joined there by Sir Hugh Rose – The reasons which prompted Sir Hugh to assume the Offensive – Baffle of Gwaliar – Sir Hugh Completes the day by the Capture of the City – By the Daring of two Subalterns, Rose and Waller, the Rock Fortress is won – Napier pursues the Rebels and catches them at Jaura Alipur – He gains a Victory at Jaura Alipur – Recapitulation of the Campaign of the Central India Force – The Force is distributed

Chapter 4 – The Southern Maratha Country and Le Grand Jacob

Colonel Jacob and Mr. Manson relieve Mr. Seton-Karr of his political duties in the Southern Maratha Country – Character and Sympathies of Mr. Manson – Reflections on the Change – Colonel George Malcolm storms Halgali – Despondency and irritation of the Chief of Nargund on learning that Manson had replaced Seton-Karr – Influences which work upon him – The refusal of the British Government to allow him to adopt an Heir weighs especially with him, and he revolts – Manson, on learning of his Revolt, determines to push on to Nargund – Changing his Route, and sleeping in a Village on his Way to join Malcolm, he is murdered – Hughes annihilates the Rebels at Kopaldrug – Malcolm beats the Nargund troops and takes Nargund – The Chief flees in Disguise but is captured by Frank Souter – Le Grand Jacob pacifies the Country

Book 15 – The Pacification of Oudh and of the North-West – Repression of Outbreaks in the Panjab

Chapter 1 – Lord Canning’s Oudh Proclamation

Summary of its Contents and of the Contents of the explanatory Letter accompanying it – Summary of Sir James Outram’s Objections to it – Lord Canning’s two Replies – Lord Ellenborough receives the Proclamation without any explanatory Letter – Lord Ellenborough arrives at a Conclusion similar to that of Sir James Outram – He writes severe and galling Strictures on the Proclamation – And publishes these in England – Slight Effect produced on Lord Canning personally by Lord Ellenborough’s Comments – He receives support from all Sides – even from Lord Derby – Lord Canning’s Reply – preliminary – He points out the want of statesmanlike Conduct evinced by the Publication of Lord Ellenborough’s Despatch – He vindicates the Proclamation – Mr. Robert Montgomery succeeds Sir James Outran in Oudh – Feelings of the People of Oudh towards their King – Their Feelings regarding the British Rule – Tact and Judgment evinced by Mr. Montgomery

Chapter 2 – The Pacification of Oudh.

Position occupied by Sir Hope Grant on the 16th or May – He pursues the Rebels – Beats them at Nawabganj – Position of the rebel parties in Oudh – Sir Hope proceeds to relieve Man Singh – Sends Horsford to Sultanpur – Sir Hope joins Horsford and forces the Rebels to evacuate Sultanpur – The Rebel Leaders in Rohilkhand – A Force proceeds from Pilibhit to drive the Rebels from Nuriah – Splendid Daring of Sam Browne – The Rebels in Eastern Oudh – Berkeley captures Dahain, Tirul, and Bhairpur, and touches Hope Grant’s Force – Rowcroft and the Pearl brigade – Evelegh beats the Rebels at Mohan – Kavanagh and Dawson occupy Sandela – The river Steamers endeavour to clear the Oudh Bank of the Ganges – The Rebels open the Cold-weather Campaign – Barker. Evelegh, and Seaton give a good Account of them – Lord Clyde’s Plan of Pacification – Hope Grant and Wetherall commence Operations – Lord Clyde and Grant carry out the Programme – The Bareli Column does the same – Hope Grant touches Rowcroft and on one side sweeps the Rebels into Nipal – Lord Clyde does the same on the other Side – Some Disturbances still continue on the Nipal Frontier – But at last Oudh is at Peace – The new British Title superior to the old one

Chapter 3 – The Panjab and the North-West.

The Panjab – The alternative Risks one of which Sir John Lawrence was forced to accept in July 1857 – Discovery of a plot in the Lower Hazarah – The inhabitants of the Districts between Lahor and Multan rise – But are speedily put down – Disturbances at Dera Ishmail Khan and Multan – The Reader traverses the cis-Satlaj States and the Dehli Districts to Itawah – Disturbances in the Itawah District – Lance, Gordon, and Allan suppress them – Brigadier Showers at Agra – Agra from September 1857 to June 1858 – Meade’s Horse is raised Agra – Sindhia, fleeing from Tantia Topi, reaches Agra – Sindhia returns to Gwaliar – Showers cuts off Tantia Topi from the north

Book 16 – Tantia Topi and the Queen’s Proclamation

Chapter 1 – The Pursuit of Tantia Topi

Tantia flees in the Direction of Jaipur – Napier’s division and Smith’s Brigade canton at Gwaliar, Jhansi, Sipri, – and Gunah – Roberts, moving from Nasirabad, covers Jaipur – Tantia, baffled, marches on Tonk, followed by Holmes – Tantia reinforced by the rebels of Tonk, makes, after some Changes of Route, for the Country between Nimach and Nasirabad – Roberts follows and beats him at Bhilwara – Tantia is again caught on the Banas – Is defeated by Roberts and pursued seventeen Miles – Tantia flees to the Chambal, pursued by Parke – Parke being deceived by false News, Tantia crosses the Chambal and captures Jhalra Patan – Thence he endeavours to march on Indur – Michel succeeds Roberts and takes Command of the Columns moving against Tantia – Tantia evades Michel near Rajgarh – But Michel follows and defeats him – The Story reverts to Napier and Smith – Man Singh revolts against Sindhia and seizes Pauri – Smith marches against Pauri and has an Interview with Man Singh – He invests the Place; Napier reinforces him – The rebels evacuate the Place; Robertson sent in Pursuit – Robertson defeats Ajit Singh at Bijapur – The Rainy Season Campaign in Gwaliar closes, and the Story reverts to Tantia Topi – Tantia, taking Supplies from Isagarh, is repulsed by the loyal Kiladar of Chanderi – He then marches on Mangrauli followed by Michel, who attacks and defeats him – Rao Sahib, separating from Tantia, is attacked and beaten by Michel – Tantia rejoins Rao Sahib, and they resolve to cross the Line of the Narbada – Michel finds out their Designs, follows in Pursuit, pounces upon Tantia and destroys his left Wing – The right Wing with Tantia and Rao Sahib makes good its Escape and crosses the Narbada – The crossing of the Line of the Narbada, which twelve Months previously would have been fatal, is even now dangerous – The people south of the Narbada show no Feeling in Favour of Tantia – Tantia makes for Barodah – Michel divines his Intentions and marches to baffle him – Sutherland crosses the Narbada and comes on Tantia’s Track – Pursues him, brings him to Action and puts him to Flight – Tantia, fleeing night and day, places the Narbada between himself and his Pursuers, and pushes towards Barodah – Parke catches him at Chota Udaipur – Parke beats Tantia and cuts him off from Barodah – Tantia flees to the Banswara Jungles where he is surrounded – He deliberates regarding a Surrender, but resolves to fight – Tantia baffles Major Rocke and escapes – Benson beats him at Zirapur and Somerset beats him at Barod – The Story reverts to the Proceedings of Napier – Firuzshah, baffled in Rohilkhand and Oudh, resolves to join Tantia Topi – He crosses into Sindhia’s territory; Napier follows him – Napier’s accurate Intelligence is baffled by a misleading Despatch – But he pursues Firuzshah, outmanoeuvres and crushes him at Ranod – Gallantry of Stack; of Rice – Firuzshah joins Tantia; to whom the Story reverts – Tantia endeavours to escape to the North-west, but is surprised by Showers – He tries to meet Marwar, but Holmes catches and utterly defeats him – Tantia gives up the Struggle and hides in the Jungles of Paron – Honner defeats Rao Sahib at Kushani – The rebel Force breaks up – The fate of the Rebel Leaders is recorded – Napier sees the Importance of gaining Man Singh – He sends Meade to Sirsimao – Meade negotiates with the confidential Advisers of Man Singh – Napier directs Meade to put Pressure upon the Dewan of Man Singh by occupying Sirsimao – The Family of Man Singh surrenders to Meade – Man Singh surrenders to Meade – Selfish Considerations begin to act on the lower Nature of Man Singh – He volunteers to accompany a British Force and to aid in the Capture of his Uncle Ajit Singh – He finally makes up his Mind to betray Tantia Topi – For a Consideration, even for the Chance of a Consideration – Man Singh proceeds with a Party sent by Meade, and surprises Tantia – Topi asleep – Tantia Topi is tried by Court-martial; his Defence – Validity of the Defence – He is sentenced to be hanged, and is hanged – Will Posterity ratify the Justice of the Sentence? – Parallel Points between Tantia Topi and Hofer – Tantia Topi’s Merits and Demerits as a General – The English Commanders in Pursuit of him – The light Columns and long Marches – Tranquillity returns to Central India

Chapter 2 – The Trial of the King of Dehli and the Queen’s Proclamation

Trial and sentence of the King of Dehli – The English Public, requiring a Scapegoat, pronounce the Doom of the East India Company – The Queen’s Proclamation – The Proclamation is published throughout India – Its enthusiastic Reception – Virtual Conclusion of the Mutiny

Book 17

Chapter 1 – The Causes of the Mutiny

The Anxiety displayed, after the Mutiny had been quelled, to discover its Cause – Sir John Lawrence, after en elaborate Argument, can discover no other Cause but the Greased Cartridges – The fallacious Character of this Conclusion – The Cause, in the opinion of the thoughtful Natives of India – The real Cause of the Mutiny – Bad Faith – and the attempt to force Western Ideas on the Eastern People – Bad Faith towards the Sipahis illustrated by the Action of Government on the Batta Question – The Discipline of the Army is undermined by the Head-quarter Staff in India – Renewal of Bad Faith towards the Sipahis – The untoward and disastrous Result of that Renewal – What Oudh was to the Sipahis before Annexation – Oudh was misgoverned according to Western, but not according to Eastern ideas – The Manner in which the Annexation of Oudh was regarded by the Sipahis, illustrated by an Accident – It deals the last Blow to the Confidence of the Sipahi in his foreign Master – How the same Result was arrived at in the Minds of the Princes, Chiefs, and Landowners of India – The System examined of granting a Life Annuity in exchange for a Kingdom – Causes which increased the bad Effect of the mere Annexation of Oudh – The real authors of the Mutiny – the Maulavi – The Conspirators discover the Cartridge and use it as their Instrument to seduce the Sipahis – Examination of the different Modes in which the Provinces which rose against us, and those which remained loyal, were administered – Lord Canning in 1857 – Influence upon him of Lord Dalhousie’s Prestige and Lord Dalhousie’s Councillors – Lord Canning, as he stood unshackled in 1858 – The real Greatness of his Character is then shown in all its different Phases – Lord Elphinstone – his Prescience, his Decision, his high and lofty Courage – His generous Confidence towards his Subordinates – His Correspondence evidences his Foresight – He is nominated by three successive Secretaries of State to succeed Lord Canning in the event of a Vacancy – Lord Harris – his Energy, Foresight, Devotion – England has no Reason to blush for the Englishmen and Englishwomen of the Mutiny

Appendix A – More details about Kirwi

Appendix B – Tantia Topi’s Story of his Life

Appendix C – Trial of the King of Dehli

(a) The Judge Advocate-General’s summing-up

(b) The Letter of the Chief Commissioner of the Panjab (Sir John Lawrence) on the Trial and Sentence

List of Maps

Map of the Southern Maratha Country

Map to illustrate the Central Indian Campaign of Sir Hugh Rose

Map to illustrate the final Campaign in Oudh

Map to illustrate the Pursuit of Tantia Topi

This collection transcribed by Chris Gage
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