XXXIX. 77. suppression of the re volt. Nov. 1, 1824. CHAP. fear, and given a fatal blow to the moral ascendancy of Great Britain. In this crisis the conduct of the military 1824. chiefs was vigorous and decided. Sir Edward Paget, so Vigorous famed in the Peninsular wars, arrived from Calcutta, accompanied by the 1st royals, 47th regiment, a battery of light artillery, and a part of the Governor-general's body-guard. The forces intended to act against the mutineers both in front and rear having taken their ground, the latter were informed that their fate would depend on their obedience to the order they were now to receive. The command was to "order arms," which was instantly obeyed; but to the next, "ground arms," a few only yielded obedience. Upon this, on a signal given, the guns in the rear opened with grape, and a few discharges dispersed the mutineers, who were hotly pursued by the dragoons, a few cut down, but great numbers taken, of whom three were executed, and several sentenced to hard labour in irons for various terms. The 47th regiment was erased from the Army List, and the European officers were transferred to the other regiments. Thus terminated this dangerous mutiny, in which, while it is impossible not to 423; Thorn- admire the courage and resolution with which the danger was at last met, it is to be regretted that the disaffected had, in the outset at least, too good ground for complaint.1* 1 Martin, ton, v. 108, 109. This mutiny evinces the extreme importance of attending with sedulous care to the physical comforts and just * In all popular movements of this description, the points upon which the parties come into collision are but a part of, and often different from, those which have really occasioned the discontent. The grievances assigned by the mutineers in their memorial to Government, as last presented, were, -1st, Their being required to embark on board ship; and, 2d, The unjust influence of the havildar major in the promotion of the non-commissioned officers in the battalion. The original ground of complaint, which was too well founded in the circumstances, based upon their having been obliged to provide bullocks themselves for transporting their baggage, had been removed by draught animals having been furnished by the Government before the mutiny actually broke out, but not before the discontent originally produced by that cause had reached an ungovernable height. It was the aversion of the native troops to engage in the Burmese war, clothed in their eyes with imaginary terrors, and especially to embarking on board ship for Rangoon, against which they entertained a superstitious horror, which was the real cause of the disorders.-See Commons' Report, April 1832, Q. 2151, 2152. XXXIX. 1824. 78. complaints of the troops, as the previous one at Vellore CHAP. did the peril of violating in any degree, however slight, their religious prejudices. All authorities concur in stating that the sepoys are in general docile and submissive, Reflections sober, diligent, observant of their officers, and extremely event. attached to them when well treated. "No one," says on this Captain Grant Duff, "who has not witnessed it, could believe how much an officer who understands them can attach the sepoys. They discern the character of an officer even more correctly than European privates, are more disposed than they are to be pleased with his endeavours for their comfort; they even bear to be treated with more kindness and familiarity; but strictness on duty, patiently hearing their regular complaints, and dealing out even-handed justice, are the surest means of securing their respect and attachment." "The sepoys," says Sir Thomas Reynell, "are subordinate; they are patient, and they are obedient to their officers. They are in general well satisfied with their condition, well affected to the service, extremely orderly, and easy of management. Their attachment to their officers is great, if they deserve it. There is no greater punishment you can inflict on a sepoy than to order him to be discharged." With a soldiery of this description government is easy, provided they are justly dealt with, and the religious feelings in which they have been nurtured are duly respected. Mutiny will never rise to a serious height with such men, unless their rulers were in the outset at least in the wrong, into whatever excesses insubordination may afterwards lead those engaged in revolt. But per- 1 Evidence sistance in material injustice, or violating religious feel- before ings, may provoke a spirit which nothing can resist, and Aug. 16, which may any day overturn an empire which no ex- B. ternal force is able to subdue.1 Simultaneously with the war in Ava, an event of great importance occurred in the interior of India, which tested in a decisive way the military strength and Committee, 1832, App. 79. ment of the with the CHAP. resources of the Company's government. This was a XXXIX. contest with the State of Bhurtpore, which originated 1824. in a dispute concerning the successor of the rajah, who Commence- died in August 1823 without issue. The succession difference was claimed by Buldeo Singh, a brother of the deceased Rajah of rajah, who got possession, and Doorjun Saul, the son Bhurtpore of a younger brother, who claimed as having been adopted by the deceased rajah. The first was recognised by and received investiture from the British Government, but they hesitated to acknowledge his son as heir, though Sir D. Ochterlony, the Resident, urged them to do so. Sir David, however, deeming himself authorised by some general expressions in the Governor-general's despatches, gave investiture to the heir, who was a minor, on 26th February 1825, and soon after his father died. Upon this Doorjun Saul, the young rajah's cousin, collected some troops, and, notwithstanding the recognition of the title of that prince by the British Government, attacked and took Bhurtpore, murdered the infant prince's uncle, and seized the youthful sovereign. Upon this Sir D. Ochterlony, of his own authority, collected as large a force as he possibly could, with a powerful train of artillery, and advanced towards Bhurtpore, in order to vindicate by force the claim of the prince whom the British Government had recognised. These proceedings on the part of Ochterlony were strongly disapproved of by the Governor in council, as tending to induce another war, when the resources of the empire were already strained. to the uttermost to maintain that with the Court of Ava, and he gave orders for suspending the march of the troops. which had been directed by Ochterlony towards Bhurtpore; and as Doorjun Saul had renounced his intention of usurping the throne, he ordered the troops to return to their cantonments.1 Sir David, however, entertained 418; Thorn- serious doubts of the sincerity of these protestations, and 135. deeming the honour of Great Britain implicated in the immediate assertion of its supremacy, he solicited and 1 Martin, ton, v. 118, XXXIX. received leave to retire. Such was the mortification he CHAP. experienced from these events that it hastened his death. His last words, as he turned his face to the wall, were, "I die disgraced." * 1825. 80. disturb Bhurtpore, the British. However much inclined the Indian Government may have been to avoid a rupture with the Rajah of Bhurt- Increased pore, and however harsh their conduct towards Sir D. ances at Ochterlony, an officer to whom they owed so much, and inter the sequel of events was not long in proving that the ference of latter had been right in his anticipations, and that a Sept. 18, war with the usurper of Bhurtpore could not be averted if the British ascendancy in northern India was any longer to be maintained. After great procrastination and indecision, betraying the extreme reluctance of the Government to come to a rupture, they at length determined to recognise the title of the young prince, Bulwunt Singh, and to insist on the expulsion of his uncle, Doorjun Saul, from the Bhurtpore state. They thus involuntarily were forced to recognise the justice of Sir David Ochterlony's views on this disputed subject, and drawn into a contest which a prompt support of his vigorous and manly policy would have probably prevented, by inducing submission on the part of the usurping rajah. Now, however, it was not so easy a matter to effect the object, for during the long period of the Governor-gene * In justice alike to the British Government and Sir D. Ochterlony, it must be added that they were not slow upon his death to recognise his great merits, both as a soldier and a diplomatist. In a general order, issued by the Governor-general on his death, it was stated, with truth and feeling, "With the name of Sir D. Ochterlony are associated many of the proudest recollections of the Bengal army, and to the renown of splendid achievements he added, by the attainment of the highest military honours of the Bath, the singular felicity of opening to his gallant companions an access to those tokens of royal favour which are the dearest objects of a soldier's ambition. The diplomatic talents of Sir D. Ochterlony were not less conspicuous than his military qualifications. To an admirably vigorous intellect and consummate address, he united the essential requisites of an intimate knowledge of the native character, language, and manners. The confidence which the Government reposed in an individual gifted with such rare endowments, was evinced by the high and responsible situations which he successively filled, and the duties of which he discharged with eminent ability and advantage to the public interest."— THORNTON, V. 135 (note). XXXIX. 1825. CHAP. ral's indecision the defences of Bhurtpore had been greatly strengthened, and the discontented had flocked to it from all parts of Hindostan, as the last but impregnable bulwark against the British power. This last opinion had very generally prevailed in India ever since the memorable repulse of the British assault at the close of the Mahratta war, recorded in a former work; and it had acquired so great a moral influence that it had become indispensable, at all hazards, to undeceive the nation on the subject. Even the Governorgeneral, in direct opposition to his former asseverations to Sir D. Ochterlony, was now obliged to admit this in an official document. "The right of Rajah Bulwunt Singh," said Sir Charles Metcalfe, the new Resident at Delhi, in a letter to the Governor-general, " is unquestioned and unquestionable; and it seems wonderful that with so bad a cause Doorjun Saul should be able to think of opposition to a predominant power, which seeks only to render justice to the lawful prince. But notwithstanding the injustice of the usurpation, which every one admits, he will probably receive support, from the circumstance of his placing himself in opposition to the British Government as the defender of Bhurtpore. It must be known to the right honourable the Governor in council that this fortress is considered throughout Metcalfe to India as an insuperable check to our power, and the perto Govern- son who undertakes to hold it against us will be en24, 1825; couraged in his venture by its former successful defence, v. 151-154. and by the goodwill of all who dislike our ascendancy, whatever may be the injustice of the cause." 1 1 Sir Chas. Secretary ment, June Thornton, 81. war, and forces of "1 The determination of the British Government being Commence- thus in the end taken, a proclamation was on 25th Novment of the ember issued by Sir Charles Metcalfe, denouncing the the British, usurpation of Doorjun Saul, and declaring the intention of the Governor-general to support the pretensions of the youthful and rightful prince. The preparations made were immense, and suited to the magnitude of the enterprise undertaken, upon the success of which it was felt Nov. 25, 1825. |