Picture of Henry Hugh Rose

Most Britishers are focused on the “prize money”, i.e., a portion of the loot that he will get after plundering central India. How pathetic!

And they call themselves “civilized”.

British have “Prize Agents” who are systematically looting Delhi

The job of the “Prize Agent” is to dig for treasures in the city.

Typical way to gather money is to look for a fat hindoo who is a man of property, shut him up in a dark cellar and fire pistol on his head and hit him repeatedly on his head, till he divulges where he has kept his money and then send British officer to loot the money.

It is happening all around Delhi as we speak.

Here is another account of it by a British officer:

One morning in the beginning of October, attended by the mason, and
carrying the necessary implements, we were taken to the house in
question. This was a large building with a courtyard in the centre, the
rooms of which showed the remains of luxury and wealth, but, as usual,
had been despoiled by the plunderers of our army. Every article was
scattered about in dire confusion; there were piles of clothing and
bedding; rich and ornamental stuffs were torn to pieces, and the
household furniture, broken up, was strewn about the courtyard. Our
guide took us to a small room, about 80 feet square–in fact, it was the
closet of the establishment–the walls of which were whitewashed, the
floor being covered with a hard cement. Here, we were told, the treasure
was concealed under the flooring of the room, and we lost no time in
commencing operations, the mason assisting us. Picking through the
cement, we came on a large flagstone, which we lifted out of the cavity.
Then we dug a hole about 3 feet square, and the same depth in the loose
earth, disclosing the mouth of a large earthenware _gharra_, or jar.
Loosening the soil all around, we attempted to raise the jar out of the
ground, but all our efforts were unavailing–its great weight preventing
us from lifting it one inch out of the bed. Then, trembling with
excitement, for we felt sure that a rich display would greet our eyes,
we began slowly to remove each article from the _gharra_, and place it
on the floor of the room. A heavy bag lying at the mouth of the jar
was first taken out, and on opening it, and afterwards counting its
contents, we found that it contained 700 native gold mohurs, worth
nearly L1,200. Then came dozens of gold bangles, or anklets, of pure
metal, such as those worn by dancing-girls. We were fairly bewildered at
the sight, our hands trembling and our eyes ablaze with excitement, for
such an amount of pure gold as that already discovered we had never seen
before. But the treasure was not yet half exhausted. The jar seemed a
perfect mine of wealth–gold chains, plain and of filigree workmanship,
each worth from L10 to L30; ornaments of the same metal of every sort
of design, and executed in a style for which the Delhi jewelers are
celebrated all over India. Then came small silver caskets filled with
pearls, together to the number of more than 200, each worth from L3 to
L4, pierced for stringing. Others, containing small diamonds, rubies,
and emeralds, and the greatest prize of all–reclining in a casket by
itself–a large diamond, which was sold afterwards by the prize agents
for L1,000. There were many other articles of value besides those I have
mentioned–gold rings and tiaras inlaid with precious stones, nose-rings
of the kind worn by women through the nostrils, earrings, bracelets, and
necklaces of small pearls without number.

Picture of James Outram

We will outrun and outfox Outram!

We are not underestimating him, he is very shrewd.

Let the freedom fight begin.

Major Eyre’s Incendiary Policy

On this day, Major Eyre reinforced by 200 of Her Majesty’s 10th Foot from Danapur marched from Arrah to Jagdishpur.

He defeated Kunwar Singh’s troops at the village of Dullaur and entered Jagdishpur. On this occasion, 10th were practically ungovernable. Major Eyre’s penchant for setting ablaze villages was well known to the nationalists. And on 10th August, after reaching Jagdishpur, Eyre gave full vent to his incendiary policy on a massive scale.

The principal buildings of Babu Kunwar Singh were set ablaze. Even the beautiful new Hindu temple, constructed very recently at a heavy cost, was not spared. Now Jugdishpur has become a heap of burnt ruins and charred rubble

We came to know that the Commander-in-Chief, sent a despatch disapproving Major Eyre’s incendiary act of destroying the temple. But what is the use? The deed has already been done.

Brigadier Havelock crosses into Avadh

Brigadier Havelock, though in poor health, managed to cross the Ganges with about 1500 men and 13 guns and reached Avadh territory today.

His forces seem totally inadequate— he is short of everything. The shortage of cavalry was particularly galling to him.

Hopefully we can take advantage of the situation.

Colin Campbell appointed commander in Chief

yesterday, Sir Colin Campbell a veteran of Peninsular and Crimean wars and well known for his conspicuous gallantry and leadership, was appointed the Commander-in-Chief in India and is expected to set sail for India today or tomorrow.

Lets not mis-underestimate him. He has had past experience of India having seen action at Ramnagar, Chillianwallah and Gujarat during the Second Sikh War.

Here is a figurine of him from his previous war assignment at the Battle of Balaclava battle.

Battle of Fatehpur

It may be recalled that General Havelock had left Allahabad in the evening of July 7. In the mean time, the British had dispatched an advance force under Major Sydenham Renaud. General Havelock met up with the advance force at 2 AM on July 12. At the time they were four miles short of Fatehpur.

A little later, when the British troops had settled down for their breakfast, a 24 pound shell fell into their camp. At about the same time, the troopers of the rebellious 2nd Light Cavalry were also seen approaching the camp.. Abandoning their breakfast, the British troops retaliated and there was a brief skirmish. Unfortunately we had to retreat out of Fatehback.

Actually, we had expected to face only a small detachment of the advance guard but were taken by surprise at having to face the combined army of Major Sydenham Renaud and
General Havelock.

We probably outnumbered the British forces, but in this battle field, its not about numbers. If sheer numbers mattered, we wouldn’t even be in this positiion.

One of the reasons why the British won the day was because of their Enfield rifles and cannons. The Enfield rifle is far more effective than our smooth bore muskets.

This is a picture of our smooth bore Enfield musket. Click on it to see it in its full glory.

We have already told you so much about the Enfield Rifle.

Besides on the side of the sepoy’s, only the cavalry fought well.
After the battle, the town of Fatehpur was sacked by the Europeans, Sikhs and camp followers, some of the principal houses were blown up and thatched houses burnt.

In this battle, the sepoys were commanded by Jwala Prasad, one of Nana Sahib’s chief advisor and a military leader, now elevated to the rank of Brigadier. Jwala Prasad had underestimated the strength of the British army.

Hope Havelock doesn’t think he is invincible.

Mutiny at Jhelum

14th BNI was stationed at Jhelum on the bank of the river of the same name. The British knew that the regiment was disaffected and had come to a decision to disarm the 14th.

Decision had also been taken to disarm the 58th BNI at Rawalpindi at the same time. The entire matter was kept a secret so that disarming could take place at both the stations simultaneously, without any untoward incident. The disarming of 58th was carried out quietly and successfully at Rawalpindi. However, the ham handed manner in which the disarming was initiated at Jhelum led to the rebellion of 14th BNI..

For some strange reason, Col Ellice who was to carry out the disarming at Jhelum was not told about the order in advance. In fact, he was given a sealed envelope which he was to open when he was one march away from Jhelum.

Ellice had a compact force under him-some Europeans of 24th Queen’s, some Horse artillery guns under Col Cooke and a part of Lind’s Mooltanee horse. On the morning of 6th, Col Ellice’s force reached Deenah one day’s march from Jhelum where the sealed envelope was opened and the objective of the expedition was revealed to him.

The Chief Commissioner, Sir John Lawrence, had emphasized that utmost secrecy had to be maintained so that the sepoys could be taken by surprise . Col Ellice, however, followed his own scheme of things and reached Jhelum after a leisurely march on the morning of July 7 .

The sepoys who were already on the parade ground suddenly saw a British column approaching the town. Instinctively they knew what it meant and immediately rose in revolt. They put up a strong fight from their main position in the quarter guard. Unfortunately they were overwhelmed and had to retreat and take shelter in the adjacent village of Samlee.

However when the Europeans chased them to the village and made an attack, the sepoys fought with conspicuous bravery Three guns were brought against them yet they kept on fighting with halters round their necks., Their ammunition began to fall , the infantry were ordered to retire., the artillery followed leaving behind a howitzer.. The sepoys easily seized it. It was now sunset and the British efforts of taking the village that night was abandoned..

Sir. Henry Lawrence is Dead

When Sir Henry Lawrence got hit by a piece of shell (fired from the 8 inch howitzer which was taken by the nationalists in the Battle of Chinhut), it nearly took off his left leg, just below the thigh and left him mortally wounded.

The time was 9 a m. on July 2nd.

The shell had burst in a rather exposed room on the first storey of the north-east angle of the Residency (See photograph). On the previous day too (July 1) another shell had fallen into the same apartment and Sir Henry had been advised to abandon the room. But he refused. Ultimately, he was taken to Doctor Joseph Fayrer’s (the Residency surgeon) house, where he succumbed to his wounds on the morning of July 4,1857.

However, just before his death, he appointed Major J S Banks his successor as the Chief Civil authority and Brigadier John Inglis to command the troops of the garrison. No military honours marked his cremation. For the British, times were too stern for such demonstration of respect.

Situation in Patna : Government by the Gallows

Yesterday, about 200 men with guns displaying green banners of Islam broke into the Roman Catholic Mission in Patana and destroyed some property. Dr Lyell, an assistant to the opium agent proceeded to the spot with an escort. In the melee that followed Dr Lyell was killed.

However Rattray’s Sikhs, a police battalion, soon arrived and dispersed the crowd and saved the situation for the British. The retribution was swift and thirty men, suspected to be involved in the outbreak, were tried by the Commissioner Mr Tayler and fourteen of them including Peer Ali, a Muslim bookseller of Patna, who is said to have shot Dr Lyell were sentenced to death and were executed the very same day! The rest were sentenced to imprisonment.

This is what British rule looks like now ” “Government by the Gallows”.

General Havelock - we are watching him

We know that he has been preparing for an attack and is now in Banaras. We are watching him very closely.

We hear that he has been selected to “to quell disturbances in Allahabad, to support Lawrence at Lucknow and Wheeler at Cawnpore, to disperse and utterly destroy all mutineers and insurgents.”

News Flash : Sir Henry Lawrence critically injured

News Flash : Sir Henry Lawrence critically injured

Our news sources tell us that Sir Henry Lawrence has been stuck by a shell and has been critically injured.

He took up his quarters in an upper room, from which he could observe all that went on. The room is exposed to the shot from Sepoys, and not surprisingly, a shell crashed through the wall and burst—a sheet of flame lit the room, and it seems that Sir Henry Lawrence has been injured.

He probably thought that he was invincible!

The arrow marks the room where Sir Henry Lawrance was when the shell struck him.

Waiting for 100 years!

The centenary of the Battle of Plassey!

Excitement has reached a high pitch because The Maulavis and Pandits have been predicting that the British rule would come to an end exactly a hundred days after the Battle of Plassey which took place on June 23, 1757.

Everyone believes the prediction and preparations for the battle have already been on for quite sometime now. The nationalist forces have been beefed up with the arrival of fresh troops from Jalandhar and Phillaur. The day began early with a furious cannonade being opened on the British position from the city walls by the sepoys. And throughout the day, a heavy enfilading fire was kept up on Hindu Rao’s House which is under the occupation of the Sirmur battalion of Gurkha’s commanded by Major Reid. With his few guns, Maj Reid is finding it difficult to stop the onslaught.

The nationalist forces have succeeded in occupying Kishangunj and Subzi Mandi. Our spies brought us information that the enemy is full of admiration for valiant action of our forces. In fact when at about 12 O’Clock, our forces made a desperate attack on the enemy position, Major Reid was actually heard saying that “No man could have fought better. The mutineers charged the Rifles, the Gurkhas and my own men again and again and at one time I thought I must have lost the day.”

The heat has become terrible and many British soldiers have fallen from the effects of the sun. The battle continued the whole day. The British losses have been heavy. 38 men killed and 118 wounded! We kept up the attack for eleven hours our casualties are mounting. 499 have been killed and 300 wounded. We have no choice now but to retreat within the walls of the city.

Alas! We had started off with so much enthusiasm and fought so valiantly, yet nationalist forces lost! If only we had been better organized and had a strong leader who could inspire us; who know? The outcome might have been very different!

BREAKING NEWS: Hodson appointed Intelligence Officer in British Army

Hodosn has been empowered to raise a regiment of 2,000 irregular horse, we will call them Hodson’s Horses, and has been placed at the head of the Intelligence Department.

This is not good news for us!

Last year, Lord Dalhousie removed Hodson from his civil functions and remanded him to his regiment on account of his lack of judgment. His conduct to Indian officers has been one of the worst we have ever seen; so much so he was tried by a British court of inquiry, who found that “his conduct to natives had been unjustifiable and oppressive.”

John Lawrence - We must stop him

We have heard that the Punjab regiments is proceeding by forced marches to join John Lawrence and that the European troops are coming from Madras, Bombay, and Ceylon.

There are also rumors that the siege train from Umballa has started.

We must stop John Lawrence!