Kolapoor and Sawunt Waree, with wise precautions and stipulations, restored to their reigning families. In the same spirit I have forborne to rip up old wounds now happily healed, and in this respect, as well as in some minor details of a painful nature, my history is purposely incomplete. It will be sufficient if it help to convince the British people that there were more causes for the conflagration of 1857-58 than they wot of, and that a continuation of the policy of respecting native rights, rescued from doubt by Sir Stafford Northcote's administration, affords the surest prospect of future exemption from similar outbursts of pent-up hatred and discontent. As Bapoo Sahib Shapoorkur remarked to me on seeing the arrival from time to time of fresh European troops, 'What do you want these soldiers for now? Only act on the Queen's Proclamation and you may send them all back again as soon as you please.' If our rulers are wise they will give its due value to such an expression of native opinion, and in their desire for progress cannot do better than act on the motto FESTINA LENTE. APPENDIX. (See page 226.) Mr. Kies, a German missionary in the Southern Mahratta Country, gave Colonel, now Major-General, Sir George Malcolm the following translation of a Canarese epic, written shortly after the events related in my last chapter; it may interest as showing them from a native point of view. The poem must needs have suffered greatly from the attempt to put a literal translation into English verse, but the author has clearly intended to keep as near the truth as was consistent with his lights. The notes are not initialed by the translator. THE WAR WITH BABA SAHIB (THE CHIEF OF NURGOOND) AND THE CAPTURE OF THAT TOWN BY THE ENGLISH. A. D. 1858. I The brave English, the great kings, took Nurgoond on earth; The wicked chieftains were taken prisoners from their hearth ; The bad rebels were broken and fled in the midst of their mirth. Have the English their equals ? To their power must stoop even Lady Earth! II Strife rose in the North; searching swords, daggers, and diverse arms Throughout the empire in towns, villages, and farms, Besieging houses and creating alarms, They came to Dharwar, with a great force collecting arms. III Many valiant lords with one mind there came, To overflowing with anger was filled their frame ; Gnashing their teeth they said, 'At which place must we aim? 'We have misgivings about that Fort, Nurgoond is its name.' IV The brave Chief of Police mounted his horse and joined his angry men. They found out and brought arms from the rebel's den. People who concealed swords, and yet denied it were beaten then And pulled by the arm; to describe this I want a more powerful pen. V They came as victors, alighted at Nurgoond, gazed at the fortified hill, And sat down thoughtfully to announce their will. Baskaraja1 was sent for and informed with skill That his master must be disarmed. Hearing this, Baba fell down ill. VI 'Why hesitate?' Give up arms, guns, powder and balls; VII At this command anger rose to the brain of the Chief; his eyes did glare, Pouring forth sparks. On his body was bristling his hair 1 A minister of the Chief, through whom he communicated with the British Government. R With horror, but he curbed his passion and promised to dis arm with care, Saying to himself, 'If I am silent I shall better fare.' VIII He returned without stopping to his house with a wavering mind, Called his clever Minister, Raghopanta, and bade him with calm mind To consider well whether the promise given did bind IX According to his advice an answer was returned by Baba the Lord. 'The arms are ours; we shall give neither gun nor sword. Mark! this is a clear answer to you. We have no other word. Be off in peace! We have sent letters to gather our horde!' X Hearing this answer the Chief of Police 1 twisted his moustachios and rose in a passion, And said, 'Well done, Baba, thou art a traitor of a rare fashion! We shall soon come again to punish thy transgression; Then I shall pour down thy throat molten lead without compassion. The poet seems to have very misty ideas of the ruling powers.-G. L. J. |