IN FOOTSTEPS OF REVOLUTIONARIES BY WARVET

 

IN FOOTSTEPS OF REVOLUTIONARIES

BY WARVET

 

In 1963, the owner of The Lord Clyde, a pub in the eastern English coastal town of Walmer in Kent, discovered a human skull stowed away under some disused crates and boxes in a small lumber room in the back of the building. The skull was missing its lower jaw, the few remaining teeth were loose, and it had the deep sepia hue of old age. Inserted in the eye-socket was a neatly folded slip of old paper, a handwritten note that briefly outlined the skulls history:

‘Skull of Havildar “Alum Bheg”. 46^th Regt. Bengal N. Infantry who was blown away from a gun, amongst several others of his Regt. He was a principal leader in the mutiny of 1857 & of a most ruffianly disposition. He took possession (at the head of a small party) of the road leading to the fort, to which place all the Europeans were hurrying for safety. His party surprised and killed Dr Graham Shooting him in his buggy by the side of his daughter. His next victim was the Rev. Mr Hunter, a missionary, who was flying with his wife and daughters in the same direction. He murdered Mr Hunter, and his wife and daughters after being brutally treated were butchered by the road side.

Alum Bheg was about 32 years of age; 5 feet 7inches high and by no means an ill looking native.

The skull was brought home by Captain (AR) Costello (late Capt. 7^th Drag. Guards), who was on duty when Alum Bheg was executed.

British called it a “Mutiny”. But, contemporary evidence has now shown that it wasn’t a matter of sporadic events of sepoys turning their guns on the British. It was a widespread revolt which spread across the country and had involved villagers too. As much as the British believed it was their holy duty to govern the lesser endowed native Asians and free them from their despotic rulers while leading them on the path of Christ, the natives did not like the rule of foreigners. Indians did not love them but tolerated them just like many other inconveniences in life and when opportunity arose, revolted against them with force. It was a great shock to the British officers of the native regiments that their ‘boys’ had revolted against them. Large number of officers and families were slayed. Equally large number were saved also by their men. However, when the British retribution began, it was ruthless beyond imagination. Lakhs were killed for revenge and show of power to set a deterrence. Sikh, Punjabi musalman, Pathan and Gurkha soldiers helped the British to quell the rebellion. Scores of rebels as well as villagers were hanged from the nearest tree by British Army Officers and villages set afire.

However, British were perplexed to see that the condemned guys were not scared of death. The Hindu as well as Muslim rebels when captured, took to death in a resigned manner, often laughing in their face. It was realised soon that Hindu believed he will be reborn and muslim looked forward to heaven. So to break the will of the rebels, the old Mughal gruesome method of blowing from the mouth of canon was resorted to – As it ensured that next of kin will not get the whole body – it being blasted to shreds. With no religious last rites performed the dead were doomed in afterlife.

It was autumn of 2017 and I was with my historian friends Drs Amit Pathak and Amit Rai Jain who had researched the Meerut mutiny in great details. We were to visit a couple of rebel villages. After the most important Cantonment of Meerut had fallen and sepoys joined the emperor in Red Fort, the British Civillian officers along with few remaining Army Officers had made the now famous or rather infamous ‘Khaki Risala’ and were hunting the rebels and villagers now in control of the hinterland. At best it was mercenary force that killed people indiscriminately without any trial. We reached the muslim village of ‘Balochpur’ and were taken to the ‘hojra’ and mudwall courtyard of Irfan, who was the Nambardar. A teenager, brought us tea and biscuits. His name was Arab Khan. “Why Arab? Has he visited Saudi Arabia?” I had asked. “Oh no, the day he was born, India’s population turned 1 Arab. So we named him Arab Khan” Disclosed Irfan “ and here’s his brother – Changez Khan”.

Balochpur is inhabitaed by people who came from Balochistan in 17^th century, hence the name. ‘Look at the body structure and features of people” Dr Pathak told me. “Balochis of Balochpur were in forefront of the rebellion. Irfan’s great great grandfather – Alladian, was a close confidante of Bahadur Shah Zaffar”. After the quelling of rebellion the villagers were persecuted badly. All houses were destroyed and all male members found were killed. Their land was confiscated and distributed to loyal people. Till date the villagers are extremely poor” I could see the open drains and cement hovels with large number of poorly clad bare feet children loitering in the alleys. The villagers organised a demonstration of their ancient martial art of using latthi with great effect in fight. Its called ‘Patta’ and was on way to extinction when my friends intervened and revived it.

We next moved to the muslim village of Basode where the rebels had taken a brave stand but the British had used artillery to blast the mosque from where the villagers were firing. The place of worship was brought down to dust and almost all male adult population (180) was slaughtered. We visited the rebuilt mosque on a mound and prayed. “These villages that stood most bravely against the British for the country bore the brunt” Said Dr Jain “You can see the poverty all around. The youth was driven to petty crime. Any crime in nearby places and the police would come and lift the young men. After all, these villages even today are listed as ‘Baghi gaon’ in police records. I and Pathak, mobilised funds from local MP and christened these villages “Kranti Gram”. We publicised their contribution and made the Gateways to these villages on the highway. Newspapers published their stories when we celebrated 150 years of the Revolution. That’s how these villages gained respect. Today the youth is free from crime.The narrative has also highlighted how the Jats and Muslims had cooperated against the British in the revolt and its bringing the communities close today. I was already marvelling at the kind of warm welcome we had received from villagers. Entire panchayat had turned up to garland us and there was a patriotic organised in school ground. Sadly, the state or central government till date has done nothing to honour or help these descendents of fearless patriots. Anyway, good samaritans like my friends are beacons of hope whom we can follow to do good on our own. And they have achieved a lot by their noble intentions!

 

We moved on to expanse of sugarcane fields, main agricultural produce of the area. Ahead of us was a mango grove. “This was the site of last stand by Baba Shah Mall – the legendary farmer of Bijraul village who was made the leader of resistance in whole of Baghpat area. All British vestiges of power were destroyed and for close to a year, the area remained independent under his leadership. From original journals and diaries of the members of Khaki Risala, we researched for years and identified the site. Here, Babaji was slayed finally after a fierce battle that was his last stand. We have marked this site with a stone plaque” Explained Dr Pathak. I tried to recreate the scene of the bloody battle in my mind. “To instill fear in the population, severed head of Shahmall was mounted on a lance and carried by a rider through villages” added Dr Jain.

We moved on to Bajraul, the village of Baba Shahmal. It was a Jat village. The houses looked prosperous. There were no children loitering on roads. I was shown an old banyan tree with huge girth and numerous branches. 27 villagers were caught hold of and hung together from its branched by the British. We reached house of descendents of Shahmall. With hard work of last 3 generations, the Jat family has rebuilt their destiny. They own few acres of land, a decent house and the new generation is serving in the Army and police. Like all prosperous Jat households, as we approached, I could see a beautiful Murrah Buffalo contendedly sprawled in the shade chewing cud. A trademark bright blue Sonalika tractor was parked in the entrance. The Jats of the area are known for their valour on and off the Borders today. As we sat down to traditional Jat hospitality, with Makki ki roti, saag, daal followed by shakkar ghee and lassi. Prepared by senior women of the house on chullah in an open kitchen, it tasted heavenly. The women were attired in traditional work clothes that have always intrigued me – Men like full sleeves shirts with a ghaghra. I wondered aloud – How was the atmosphere in this area during Muzaffarnagar riots  of 2013 between jats and muslims?

“Yahan kya hona thha saab! Ye illaqa toh Jaato ka Afghanistan hai! Yahan poorie tarah se Shanti rahi” was the response of the Sarpanch, a burly jat.