Bahadur Shah Zafar found guilty of treason

Guilty of treason against what? British weren’t the sovereign during the uprising!

The prosecutor Harriott accused the King of complicity in the murders and of participation in a conspiracy to revolt.

After 21 days of fanciful mockery of a trial, the court found him guilty. In a terse finding, the court said:

The Court, on the evidence before them, are of opinion that the Prisoner Muhammad Bahadur Shah, Ex-King of Delhi, is guilty of all and every charges preferred against him.

We hear that the John Lawrence, chief comissioner for Punjab, might recommend transportation ovrseas of the ex-king.

At least the king and Zeenat Mahal’s life has been spared.

If I didn’t have Zhansi on my mind, I would talk about why this trial made absolute no sense; but we will leave that for another time.

There is a lot to be done and the king wouldn’t want us to waste a minute thinking about his wellbeing and not focus on defeating the firangis.

This is the latest picture we have of the king.

See you at Zhansi - I know the king is with us in spirit.

Raja Nahar Singh hanged to death

We have some very sad news to report. Raja Nahar Singh has hanged to death on January 9, 1858

Raja Nahar Singh was the ruler of the small state of Ballabhgarh (Faridabad). Nahar Singh was a strong supporter of Hindu-muslim unity to fight “goras”.

Nahar Singh tried to bring together all the neighboring rulers, especially Begum Samaroo of Gurgaon, Nawabs of Jhajjar, Farrukh Nagar and Rewari. He organised a secret’ meeting in the fort of Mukteshwar.

At the time of Kartik mela in 1857 which was attended, among others by Tatya Tope. Emperor Bahadur Shah 11 had appointed Raja Nahar Slngh as the Internal Administrator of Delhi.

Raja Nahar Singh had tirelessly organised the neighbouring princes and chieftains during the uprising.

He was caputred by deceit and trickery by British - so what is new?

Funny thing is that British chose 9th January because it was Nahar Singh’s birthday!

The rajah came and stood near the hanging gibbet. Accompanying the Raja were three trusted companions - Kushal Singh, Gulab Singh and Bhura Singh. These four heroes from Ballabhgarh, guilty of the crime of patriotism and serving their country, stood side by side on the hangman’s platform.

The people of Delhi were watching this heart-breaking scene with grief and sadness. On Raja Nahar Singh’s countenance there was no dullness, but a glow that troubled the enemy and cast a shadow on their faces. The time set for the hanging arrived, and Hudson lowered his head and asked the Raja for his last wish.

The Raja replied firmly ” I have nothing to ask of you. You may tell this to these fearful onlookers, that my message is that I am leaving a spark among you, never let it go out. The honour of our nation is now in your hands”. Hudson advised the Rajah that he could not convey this message to the onlookers.

We saluate you Raja Nahar Singh, Kushal Singh, Gulab Singh and Bhura Singh!

Here is another Picture of Raja Nahar Singh:

An arial view of the palace of the King is:

We will always remember your bravery, Raja Nahar Singh.

Zafar’s handwritten note to his “friend” Metcalfe

A Persian poem written in Bahadur Shah’s hand.

It was a sign of friendship to write out a poem in one’s own personal calligraphic style to give to a friend. It seems that it was written in 1844. And Bahadur Shah gave it to his “friend” Metcalfe.

The English translation of the poem which reads as follows:

A Friend is he, who proffers Friendship’s hand
When care or grief our kindred feelings claim
Not he whom prosperous days alone command
And is a Friend or Brother but in name.

Very ironical, isn’t it?

Tomorrow October 24, is King Zafar’s Birthday

Wished the circumstances were different and he wasn’t cooped up in the small house in Delhi.

He was born on October 24, 1775, son of Akbar Shah and his hindu wife Lalbai.

At least he is with Zinat Mahal, his favourite of his four wives.

We wish him well.

Metcalfe takes over Zinat Mahal’s Lal Kuan haveli - Rang mahal

Metcalfe, who has tasted blood and has gone mad, is now residing in the Zinat Mahal’s old quarters, called Rang Mahal.

It seems that he is just killing any able bodied Indian he sees. It is not uncommon to hear that he went on a “shooting spree”!

We have to regroup and take the country back!

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.

Mirza Bakhtwar Shah and Mirza Meandoo, sons of King Zafar were executed.

Mirza Bakhtwar was 18 and Mirza Meandoo was 17. They were “tried” by Major Harriott and sentenced to death. As their last wish, they wanted to see their family.

They were taken to the ground in a bullock cart. On arrival at the place of execution (the sand bank in front of the palace) the column was drawn, the two princes brought out of the cart and blindfolded. 12 riflemen were then ordered to within 12 paces. It has been said that the Gurkhas of the firing squad deliberately fired low and the officer had to “finish” the job by using his pistol.

Till now, about 20 sons of Zafar have been executed.

There are two sons that we know escaped (Mirza Abdulla and Mirza Qwaish) and were helped by the sikh guards in escaping. Not sure what fate awaits them.

We know that some other members of the Royal family, whether they took part in the rebellion or not, have been arrested and sent to prison in Agra, Kanpur (Cawnpur) or Allahabad and a few of them have been sent to the hashest prison in Andaman island.

None of the prisoners were proven guilty of any more serious offence than that of being members of Zafar’s family.

Will Jama Masjid be torn down?

I hear rumors that the British want to raze the Jama Masjid to the ground.

I guess they are the victors (for now), they can do what they want but if they are smart, they will refrain from destroying Jama Masjid.

Any destruction of religious place inflames the passion; British might have won the battle in Delhi but the war is not over yet.

I would be lying if I said that I didn’t care - I do, I want them to leave the heritage alone. But at the same time, I can not compare one single life of a sepoy with a building. If razing the Jama masjid gives some satisfaction to British and in turn they kill fewer sepoys and lessen their brutal retaliation, I would gladly give away each and very brick of each and every temple and mosque.

The red in the above picture reminds me of the sepoy blood that was spilled on these grounds.

Sepoys from Mhow are going towards Agra

If you are leaving Delhi towards Agra, please meet up with them.

There is still some rain and it is getting cold, please be prepared.

Clearer picture of capture of Zafar

Click for a better view

Whatever happened to his crown? Nobody seems to know.

He needs to save his life first, we will worry about the crown later. I am sure it was looted and it will end up with one of the British soldier.

Khooni Darwaza - Bloody Gate where the King’s sons and others were hanged and displayed

If you look close enough, you can see the blood stains, the blood of our sepoys and the blood of the prince.

Hodson literally drinks blood of King’s sons

Mirza Mughal, Mirza Khazr Sultan (two sons of the King Zafar), and Mirza Abu Bakr were also captured at the same time as Bahadur Shah Zafar. At one point Hudson asked for the palankins of the Badshah, Zeenat Mahal and Jawan Bakht to be parked on one side.

He asked Mirza Mughal, Mirza Khazr Sultan, Mirza Abu Bakr and Mirza Abdullah to get off their carriages. He then murdered them with his own hands. After killing them he took a sip from their blood and said that if he did not taste their blood he would go mad.

After their murder he got their heads cut off and presented them to the King saying that “This is your (Nazr - gift).

Alas, the king was captured by the British today.

Zafar Bahadur Shah being captured at the gates of the Tomb of Humayun. In the background is the Tomb of Humayun all draped in sadness.

Bahadur Shah was wearing a cloak, in his hands is a staff, he looked old and forlorn, Major Hodson in a red uniform is holding on to him and behind Hodson were two of his soldiers.

I still do not understand why they didn’t kill the King.

The stories that I heard said that General Wilson wanted him dead but since most of India is under the flame of rebellion, it would not be tactful to kill the king.

I understand that Zeenat Mahal, Prince Jawan Bakht and the king have been offered safety.

A list of some of the people that died in Delhi

Among those slain was Falla-ulla Khan, a well known native physician.

In Bhojla Pahari, Meah Amin Saheb, a well known scribe, foolishly interposed to prevent soldiers from entering his house. He killed the first English soldier who entered, but was himself immediately bayoneted ; still, he died taking his murderer with him.

Moulvic Furid-u-din was on his way from his morning prayers, when he was met by the advancing column of English and fell in the rush, with which the English burst like a pent up river through the city.

Hakim Ahmed Hossein Khan and Hakim Razi-u-din Khan fell in the same way.

Mirza Eusuf Khan, brother of Mirza Asadilla Khan, who had long been out of his mind, attracted by the noise of the firing, wandered out into the street to see what was going on; he was killed.

On the 20th September, 1857. The gallows slew those who had escaped the sword.

Among them were

Nawab Mozuffer-ul-dowlah,

Mahommed Hossein Khan,

Mirza Ahmed Khan,

Mir Mahommed Hossein Khan,

Akbar Khan, Mir Khan,

Nowshir Khan,

Hakim Abdul Hug,

Kalifa Ismail,

Mohommed Khan,

Resaldar Safdar Beg Khan,

Asjur Yar Khan,

besides Princes of the King’s family.

We salute you, your sacrifices will live on forever!

Jama Masjid and Red Fort captured

I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news of the last few days. I wished things could be different!

When the Jama Masjid was captured the news spread that the Rebel camp was completely empty. Lieutenant Hudson took some riders and took possession of the camp. The rebels had left in such haste that they had left behind some of their clothes which were drying out on the washing lines.

All the sick and the injured found in the camp were murdered by Hodson and his men and a large quantity of clothes, bullets and ammunition was taken from the camp.

Here is a picture of the Lahore Gate from where Hudson and others entered the red fort.

Zafar sends an order to not interfere with British movement

The order was sent to the Arab Sarai (near Homayun’s Tomb) forbidding any conflict with any of the Governnent (English) people who might come there.

Several orders were sent in succession to the mutineer army not to encamp at the Tomb.

He seems to have resigned to his fate - and that includes death.

Bulandshahr under attack

We have heard that the about 2800 men from Delhi are moving towards Bulandshahr.

Kashmere Gate in real colors

Click for a better view and count the number of bullet holes and damage from the canon.

Wholesale Slaughter at Delhi: British Vengeance Surpasses Nadir Shah

After hand to hand fighting on the streets, Delhi today fell to the British. The first impulse of the victors was to raze the entire city to the ground including Jama Masjid and the Red Fort.

The wholesale slaughter of men, women and children followed. Old and young, sick and wounded, none were spared and all were put to the sword.

Chandni Chowk received a special “privilege.” Gallows were erected all along this road and people were hanged in dozen at a time.

This is what Lord Elphinstone, Governor of Bombay wrote to Sir John Lawrence on hearing about the massacre in Delhi “After the siege was over, the outrages committed by our army are simply heartrending. Wholesale vengeance is being taken without distinction of friend or foe. As regards the looting, we have indeed surpassed Nadir Shah.”

Fighting continues in Delhi : Idgah (mosque) blown up

Rebels are constructing a battery near the Idgah (the mosque), which is situated on hill to the right of British position.

However, the rebels are being attacked by the Bengal Horse Artillery on one side and 400 men of the 60th Rifles.

It seems that Gurkhas and other artillery is moving towards Kishan Ganj.

The Idgah, the mosque was blown, the door flew to may be 12 feet in air. Several of the sepoys were killed there - exact count, 39 sepoys were killed in the Idgah.

Here is a picture of the Idgah:

I shudder to think how many of our fellow sepoys have we lost during the last few days. The number is going to be more than what we can bear.