CH# 3: THE MUGHAL ECLIPSE
Rage & Mutiny of 1857
Ashoke Nath and Umer khan were young sepoys of the British Army. They joined the forces in the same year and became buddies for having the same interests in Kabadi and swimming. On that evening, Ashoke was relaxing wearing vest and dhoti (long skirt of men in India), under a shady Peepal tree at one corner of a large ground after a tough drill day at Meerut garrison.
He was quieter than usual days. Ranbir Singh was busy setting up his mustaches holding a small mirror and scissors. Niaz Din and Aneel Kumar were washing their army uniforms at another corner in a muddy water channel coming from a near well. Muslim sepoys were waiting for iftar time. Everyone was thoughtful and seemed bound to its duties except the chirping birds that were free to fly and was coming back to their nests without any fret of life. They were breaking the intense silence of many men in a place.
‘Umer Khan, can I have your paper and a pen? My letter pad is finished. I’ve to write an urgent letter.’
Umer was reciting the Quran when
Ashoke called him from behind.
‘Is everything alright? I know you’re stressed upon…,’ Umer noticed his stillness.
‘I’m fine. Can I have please?’
‘Of course,' Umer closed the Quran and kissed it. They entered a big hall that was loaded with a lot of beds in a row. Umer put the Quran at shelve and dragged his steel suitcase which was placed under his bed.
'Here it is. You can take this. You know I've no one behind who wait for my letters,’ Umer forwarded him a notebook where only two pages were used.
‘Thank you,’ Ashoke took the pad and walked to his bed.
Muslim sepoys went to mess to open their fast.
Ashoke turned on the lantern and dipped the pen nib in the inkpot to write a letter.
Ashoke Nath, Seopy
(soldier)
Meerut Garrison, Meerut
25th April 1857
Dear father,
‘I'm fine and hope that all are fine there. I didn't want to bother you but I couldn’t get a promotion this year, again. European sepoys have been promoted to
high ranks instead of deserving native soldiers like always. We’ve not been
given extra bonuses for long as our state Bihar is annexed. After feeding on
our grains, these British officials think that most of the sepoys at Bengal Army
belong to well off land owned families and just make accuses to grab more of
them.
I know this will disappoint you and we’ll not be able to get our seized land back if we couldn’t pay the heavy British land taxes this year. I hope, one day we’ll get rid of this slavery and will breathe in free Hindustan with no taxes and doctrines. I have arranged some money which may aid you in Rachna’s wedding after Eid. I’ll try to deliver it to you more soon. I’ve also written about the leave, I’ll try to be there at the wedding if I could get it. Pay my regards to mom and Rachna,’
Your respectful son
Ashoke Nath
Ashoke
folded the letter and was about to get up when Ranbir groped him from behind.
‘You
can give this letter to me. I’ll put it to the letterbox along with my letter,’ he
offered him.
‘It’s
ok…I’ll...,’
‘Don’t
be formal, dude. I love to post letters nowadays. This makes me forget many
things around me,’ Ranbir bopped with a letter which was doused in overwhelming
scent.
‘Please
be careful, it’s not a love letter for a fiancé,’ Ashoke grinned and handed
over his letter to Ranbir.
‘Yes,
I know it’s a letter of a beloved only son and an only brother of seven sisters,
my lord,’ Ranbir put the letter in his box along with his letter.
Hindu equals were making beds inside and
outside the hall. Ashoke was about to turn down the oil lantern when he saw his
Muslim colleagues arrived back from mosques indulging in an argument.
‘The unit commander has refused to put aside those pig/cow greased Enfield P-53 Enfield rifles. He now insisting us to drag the paper cartridge with hands instead of biting but even then I don’t want to touch that gun. Pig fat is not tolerable for use in any weapon. It is going to hit our Islamic faith. I can’t commit this sin in Ramzan especially,’ Niaz Din entered the hall first.
‘Then Muslims were waiting for the month of Ramzan to show up,' Aneel paused.
'Hindus already have concerns about the rumors
that cow fat is used in these rifles. We have been recording our protest for two
months. Everyone knows why sepoys at 19th native infantry at
Biharpur refused rifle practice on 26th February. Our great martyr
Mangle Pandey laid his life against the rigidity of British commands. How brutally
he was court-martial and hanged to death at Barrakpur! The gloomy morning of 8th
April has left liability of revenge upon us. Hindus are enraged to balance
Mangle Pandey’s sacrifice,’ Aneel fumed the debate leaving his mosquito net
at one side.
‘It is our land but the East India Company treats us like slaves,’ Ranbir looked at all and spoke out loud.
‘That is what we are. They’re playing with our religious sentiments. The commander has transferred me to serve overseas even knowing that it will pollute my high Hindu caste. I’m Rajput and I’ll prefer to die at my land with grace,’ one Hindu sepoy told the audience about the decision.
Distress and agony could easily be felt among all the soldiers there irrespective of belonging to different native religions.
‘We observed a Mughal rule for centuries but they neither interfered in our religious virtues nor did they put such harsh taxes. We enjoyed high ranks in the emperor’s courts from Akbar to Aurangzeb and Shah Alam II. The British government has made our lives miserable by changing our inheritance rules by ‘Doctrine of Lapse’ and then enforcing harsh taxes,’ Ashoke was worried about his family land.
‘I don’t even want to listen about this Doctrine here. My cousin was chosen as ‘Bhayat’ among the candidates for the throne at the state of Awadh. He was sure to succeed the throne as an adopted son but this only doctrine not only broke our dreams but the British also annexed another rich state viciously,’ Aneel Kumar repeated the story which he had told many times before.
‘These nasty white aliens are grabbing our states one after one leaving us crippled at our land. Why we’re bearing them with a sore head. It’s time to stand for our land, for our religion, and our rule. The right time is reached to kick them out.’ The young blood of Umer Khan boiled up after observing the distress and agony in the air.
Umer was an orphan who rose at his uncle’s place. Umer Khan’s tall height and muscular body stood him prominent among all his mates. He was kabadi (a game) champion last year’s Army games. He wanted to join the British Army as an officer but browns were not allowed to come up on high ranks. The same happened with Ashoke.
‘That’s why; I have planned to write a final letter to King Bahadur Shah Zafar for his backing. The glorious period of the Mughal era can be restored if we strive so. Who would join me in my battle?’ Niaz Din raised a suggestion which met a fuming welcome from his mates.
‘We’re with you,’ all sepoys seemed to fix their odds upon Mughals.
Rage against the British was not a day old and
it was being unbearable now. The lava was suffocating for years and just needed a
minor blaze for an immense blow-up.
The soldiers set their charpoys and mosquito nets and went to sleep with nightmares of sinful deeds upon using the unholy guns or fighting with poverty after seizing of their fertile farmlands.
26th April 1857
‘Attention, start the drill.’
‘Long live
‘Long live Queen,’
Muslim soldiers got up too early for ‘sehri’ and after offering Fajr prayers meet the drill at 3rd Bengal light cavalry. Hindu soldiers also joined in after offering their supplications. European officers were conducting the early morning drills at Meerut Garrison 100 km far from Red Fort Delhi.
The cool morning breeze, twittering of birds, and the mere sound of flowing water near the lake were boosting the energies.
Mughal Princes were still snoring at Red Fort unaware of their approaching doom.
All sepoys completed their 3km round and waited at one corner to take a break.
After a while, they took their positions for firing drills. The exam of their tolerance started then.
‘Enfield P-53 rifle, bite the greased paper cartridge to release gun powder and load the gun with ammunition,’ Umer Khan examined the gun once again and hardly read the English manual.
Since the official language of India was transformed into English, many natives had problems to cope up with official work and were forced to stay far from jobs. Many had doubts about what; they were being delivered from the British government.
‘I said... fire, don’t you listen. It’s an order,’ the command was louder this time.
There were 90 Soldiers in that group at one side. The soldiers gazed at each other. Rage, anger, and agony blazed in their eyes. There was silence for a while.
‘It’s our holy month of Ramzan and we avoid any forbidden or haraam things especially in this month. These cartridges are supposed to be greased with cow/pig fat and our religion doesn’t allow us to taste the flash of these animals in any way,’ Niaz Din tried to explain.
‘Enough of this drama now, Muslims claim that rifle is greased with a pig fat and Hindus think it to be manufactured with a cow fat…what the hell is this when you both are not comprehensible at point…I must say it should be made of any silly goose fat like you…,’
‘Just for the sake of your illiterate religious sentiments, an inquiry was held against rumors about these rifles. The cartridges were modified then… Even you were allowed to use grease of your choice or to drag the cartridge with hands… but any action to relieve your small mind is raging you more. You’re taking benefit of British gentleness. I can’t bear it anymore,’ British officer yelled out.
‘You just have tricked us. Some of our mates burnt up the cartridges at other units and found the smell, smoke, and leftover which proved the animal flesh is still there. The new paper cartridges are just like stiff cloth which seems to fuse with grease again. We have been fooled. It is almost impossible to pull these stiffed cartridges with hands. Why don’t you bowl out these rifles out of artillery?’
‘So many chiefs but not the single Indian here, now you would tell what to do…Do you all forget the termination of that defiant Mangle Panday? Same can repeat with you…Now back to your drills and fire otherwise…,’ the officer went weird.
‘Mark your positions, target, fire,’
‘I said….fire,’ the order was louder but the response was nil again. Standstill, furious soldiers were jammed at their points.
‘How dare you to challenge British rule and its order? How dare you…, ’
‘Hey, Niaz Din, I know that you’re behind this all. You told them not to obey the orders,’ White officer came forward and booted him out.
‘This cartridge is greased with animal fat. Biting it will break our religious codes. We’ve shown our concerns many times before. Why don’t you understand? Put these rifles out of artillery. We can’t take it anymore,’ Niaz Din dropped his gun with rage.
‘I’m fed up of you illiterate, backward, and dumb browns. Everything bothers your religion. That’s why your people are stuck at one point far behind the modern developments. You should talk to our missionaries here to facilitate your sentiments. They’ll guide to live and think better,’ that officer dragged Niaz Din out of the line by clutching his hairs.
‘Your conspiracy is exposed now. We’ll not let you enforce your culture, traditions, and religion through these missionaries. British Christian missionaries are brainwashing and forcing the local people to change their religion. Get out of our land. We want freedom. We want freedom…,’ Ashoke yelled breaking the line and dropped the gun.
‘Ah, there is a list of grievances; natives have against your atrocious rule. Taxes, doctrines, no jobs, no promotions, annexing the states, and now East India Company is encouraging liberal, contemporary, and open-minded culture all around the subcontinent is not tolerable at all. Have it from me too,’ Ranbir also couldn’t bear the situation and tossed the rifle in the air. Umer and other sepoys looked at each other and followed the action one after one. The revolt spread to fellows and almost all soldiers among 90 threw the guns leaving only 5 reluctant behind.
‘You’ll see the consequences for your revolt.’ That officer left to see the base commander. The mutineer soldiers hunched at their places to record their protest. The drill was stopped at other groups too. The sun was blazing on that day. The air seemed stopped for a while. Umer khan tongued his dry lips.
The incident was reported to higher authorities and soldiers were supposed to stay in the unit until the inquiry is finished.
The news of rebellion in Meerut spread all around. General Nichloson called an urgent meeting in Delhi. Red Fort was receiving a lot of letters from local sepoys but they didn't bother to scheme any discussion on the simmering situation.
8th May 1857
14th Ramzan
Friday
In uniform rebellious sepoys were present to witness their doom in hands of the British commander. They explained their concerns about the use of rifles again and hoped to see a justified verdict.
‘For disobeying the command of privileged British government services and Queen Victoria, the older sepoys will be prisoners for 10 years and an imprisonment of 5 years for the younger mutineers is decided. You’re no more a part of British army services now. Strip off your uniforms right now. You no more deserve this royal uniform and royal service after this act of disobedience and disloyalty,’ Lieutenant Colonel George Carmichmeal-Symth gave the final verdict.
All soldiers got stunt on the last command. It was the end of impertinent behavior.
‘Sir, this riot is not pre-plotted or pre-planned. These soldiers have some grievances against the East India Company. There are scores of issues that are bothering the natives. We can talk about it otherwise it can turn into any big revolt. Please alleviate your command,’ one of foresighted European officer dared to come forward but all went in vain.
‘I said to strip off your Army uniforms right now. They want to show up then let them do,’
The next scene was awful
and was capturing the feet only now when army shirts, pants, belts, and caps
bowed to the ground leaving their holders nude or just with undergarments.
Few detained soldiers smugly exposed themselves and punked on British officers. Ranbir showed up his leg muscles and turn back to set a show his butts but most remained hushed and appalling on that disgust.
European officers were cackling, commenting, and were taking pleasure of their rule over those dependent, nude native Indians when they left only with shackles after moments.
'Just let them visit the jail to soothe their religious sentiments,' one of the officers cackled from behind.
‘Should we provide them something to wear in there or let the mosquitoes feast on their brown blood,’ one of the officers asked.
‘Some of them are muscular but most are just bonny. I think jail costume will not suit on both,’ another British officer cackled. The rebellious sepoys were sent to jail instantly.
Native Soldiers from other brigades witnessed the harassing scenes to vulnerable sepoys quiet and helpless but they too were simmering at hearts on this abuse.
‘We’ve burnt all our
boats now. We’ll not sit back until we throw these whites back and get independence,’
Inflamed Niaz Din rose in the jail. Aneel also gave an infuriating speech.
‘We’ll die till our last drop of blood to free this land,’ Ashoke and Umer called on the protest and so as the other soldiers.
10th May,
16th Ramzan,
Sunday evening,
Just two days after their court-martial, Aneel Kumar and Niaz Din managed a meeting in jail. Umer and Ashoke smelled the rat but they were not sure of the plan.
‘Sir, People here at Meerut are very fuming. They have burnt a market. There is an intelligence report about an attack on the jail too,’ the superintendent made his way to the commander at noon.
‘Today is Sunday and many officers will be out to church or markets. I’ve called a meeting tomorrow to calm the situation. Mutineers may be shifted from here. You make sure the tight security around jail. I’m going to church with family and will visit there tomorrow,’ commander closed the cuff links of his light blue shirt and called for a cart.
The security at the jail was not stiff at that time. Muslim barracks were opened to serve the Iftar dinner when mutineers comrades found a chance to breach the jail defense. Niaz Din and Aneel were waiting for the time. The aid was there. The attacking mates were soldiers who were seething outside the jail against the affront, they witnessed two days ago.
‘Stop…,’ European security officers opened the fire to resist the attack.
The attackers wrecked the
locks and all jailed Indians were out.
‘We’ll not mind any white blood after long.’ Niaz din and Aneel killed two security men. Many other junior security officers were also killed while scuffling with outraged mutineers.
The riot broke out in the city of Meerut and mutineers came out on roads. Many markets were set on fire and foreigners were searched out everywhere to be killed.
“We want freedom”
“Long live…Emperor of Hindustan…Bahadur Shah Zafar
“Just leave India”
“Queen Victoria murdabad”
“Jay Hind”
“We want freedom”
“Long live Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar,”
the slogans were getting louder and intense with time.
‘We’re freedom fighters, not the mutineers,’
Their slogans of freedom and loyalty to the Mughal sultanate were roaring and raging on the streets of Meerut. Almost 50 people were killed at brawls in Meerut on that night and many were injured.
‘Let’s meet our destiny… Off to Delhi to see our king,…the Emperor of Hindustan, Bahadur Shah Zafar.'
The mob was ahead towards Red Fort Delhi to get support for their freedom movement but the King and princes ordered to shut the fort gates... Click to read CH # 4
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Disclaimer: All characters of the story are imaginary. They bear no resemblance to anyone
living or dead.
The writer can be followed at fusion stories@facebook.com.