Author: Gargi Joshi
Publication: The Pamphlet
Date: February 10, 2023
URL:      https://www.thepamphlet.in/english/untold-facts-of-the-first-war-of-independence-1857/

The wheels of the secret machinery of the Revolution were set in motion through planning which was executed very efficiently.

What our History Books taught us: 1857 ‘mutiny’ happened because of some upset sepoys whose religion was defiled due to use of cartridges greased with Cow and Pig fat. Then just randomly some others joined in.

What History Books should have Taught us: The seeds of discontent were already sown in the hearts of Bharatiyas (read Dalhousie and Salt Tax tweets). However, it was important that it was planned properly such that a simultaneous uprising took place from all sides for the War of Independence to be concluded successfully.

It started in London where Azimullah Khan (representative of Nana Sahib, decided to contest refusal of claim to the Peshwa gadi by the British due to sudden unacceptability of the Hindu Law of adoption) and Rango Bapuji of Satara (representative of Maratha Empire, same reason, lack of ‘legitimate’ heir) had a secret meeting, details of which are difficult to get due to obvious reasons.

Azimullah Khan made a tour in Europe to ascertain from what quarters the War of Independence in India will get direct help or moral sympathy. Russia had just defeated a United front of English and French, hence Azimullah Khan tried to see if Russia would wage a war against English in Asia. Later it is mentioned in Proclamation of Cawnpore that he was trying to put through a diplomatic scheme in Egypt also. He then returned to India.

Nana Sahib, on return of Azimullah Khan was ready for war. For, in Swadesh, in their own Bharat, people were reduced to being slaves. All attempts to win back what is rightfully theirs by conciliation and by money, and by appeal had so far failed (does it sound familiar in today’s context? #FreeTNTemples). Nana was inspired by words of Krishna, Tasmat yudhyaya, yujyaswa. It was clear to him how Swadesh fell into hands of slavery due to the turmoil of internecine quarrels. He studied the condition of the suffering of the people, the destruction of dharma, and on diagnosing the chronic symptoms he concluded that war is the only way. Along with the Muslims of Bharat, in whose veins the same blood flows, Hindusthan should unite and fight for freedom to establish United States of India under Indian rulers.

Two things were needed for this –

Create a passionate desire towards this ideal

A United Bharat must Rise simultaneously.

Company’s government should not suspect this while it is unripe. A secret organization was resolved upon. It’s difficult to get information on such organizations due it nature of secrecy, but when some facts come to light here and there, we cannot but admire the skill of the organizers.

Secret letters were sent to all princes and rulers (now namesake). Until the annexation of Oudh no one responded. But once they realized that it may happen to them anytime, and also inspired and emboldened by the ideals of Swarajya and Swadharma in letter written by Nana Sahib, they started responding.

Main role in creating passion among the people throughout the country was played by priests, pundits, maulavis, fakirs and sanyasis. Thousands of them were sent out in an incredibly short time. They started preaching secretly the war for political independence. Begging from door to door, they began to sow, in all directions, the principles of independence, patriotism, and love of Dharma – for awakening of strength among people. (Note that Maulavis doing this work for ‘Religion only’ is also mentioned in J Sai Deepak’s book India Bharat and Pakistan in a very effective way. In many ways, this is seen even today amongst all religions). When such fakirs or sanyasis went to a village a strange agitation and unrest began among people. If he was asked to leave, he would simply go to the next village and establish himself there. The Hindu and Muslim sepoys were devoted to their religious teachers in their military cantonments. These positions were infiltrated with the volunteers to preach Revolutionary War. In the places of pilgrimages where thousands of devotees congregated, revolutionary ideals were preached. A stir was created at these holy places on the banks of Ganga, the Sankalpa now included that of Swadharma and Swarajya, that of a Revolutionary war.

It was made clear to the people in simple language how Swadharma and Swarajya were being insulted by foreign powers, through all festivals, Tamashas, Powadas, Dharmasalas, Lawanis, at public squares, temples, in Tirtha Kshetras, jatras, through poems. Allah-Udal, one of the most popular songs in Northern India does at once rouse the listeners the martial craving of a war, for their blood to boil at British who had enslaved them. Bharat swayed with intense passion for protection of Swadharma and Swarajya.

Secret meetings took place from Calcutta to Peshawar where only selected people knew about when to rise, how to rise. But everyone was made to swear by water of Ganges or holy Quran or leaf of Tulasi , that each one would do what the regiment should undertake. Mr. Wilson has given a detailed Government report about the activities of the Secret Organization that had decided 31st May 1857 to be the day of Uprising. From judges, to policemen of all ranks, pleaders and clerks were a part of this Organizations. There were given strict instructions to stay inactive until the right time. So much, so that the Indian Officers treated an arrested revolutionary in the cruelest of punishments though he was their accomplice (RRR suddenly making more sense), or judges gave harsh judgment against their own. Later it was revealed that they were part of this Revolution as well. The very policemen put up posters in fiery languages to agitate the masses. The British would never be able to figure out who was putting them up as it was an inside job.

This way, the wheels of the secret machinery of the Revolution were set in motion, ready to be synchronized. With this purpose a red Lotus flower was taken by Revolutionaries to each cantonment and passed through hands of each sepoy and back to the revolutionary. A lotus flower! A symbol of purity, victory, and light! “The red lotus, really made all people one; for in Bengal both Sepoys and agriculturists were fond giving expressions to this one sentiment, ‘All is going to be red’, with a movement of eyes which betrayed an extraordinary, mysterious pregnancy of meaning.” (Source: Trevelyan’s Cawnpore).

In March 1857, Nana Sahib and Azimullah Khan personally visited leaders of the principal nuclei at Delhi, Umballa, Lucknow, Kalpi etc to draw a clear program and a definite outlined map of the future campaign. He returned to Brahmavarta about end of April, ready for the War.

Savarkar writes in the Indian War of Independence 1857: Now shines forth the year 1857, and in a moment it will be clear that the description of Kalidasa applies literally to India. ‘In those whose wealth is their penance and patience, forget not there in a concealed fire, which if it burns forth, can consume the whole world!’ O World, Our India certainly has patience as its prominent feature; but do not, on that account, take undue advantage of it for within her heart, whose treasure is all-forbearing calmness, resides concealed the terrible fire of vengeance too. Hast thou ever beheld the third eye of Shankar? This is calmness itself while it is closed; but from it can issue a flame which can reduce the whole universe to ashes! Hast thou beheld a volcano! Apparently, it is clothed with green vegetation; but let it once open its jaws, then all sides will begin to pour forth boiling lava. Like unto that this living volcano of Hindusthan fierce as the third eye of Shankar, has begun to boil. Terrible streams of lava in its interior are bubbling up tumultuously. Dangerous mixtures of explosive chemicals are being formed, and the spark of the love of liberty has fallen on it. Let Tyranny take heed when it is not yet too late! Neglect it in the least, and a thunderous explosion would teach insolent Tyranny what a volcanic vengeance really means!