A striking instance of unyielding sense of military honour amongst the Rajputs noted by Col. James Skinner.
British troops were marching from Anupshahar, UP to further into UP and found a half ruined mud fort and wanted to occupy it because the half ruined fort... /1
British troops were marching from Anupshahar, UP to further into UP and found a half ruined mud fort and wanted to occupy it because the half ruined fort... /1
..offered no molestation, but was occupied by 13 Rajputs with their rusted matchlocks and old swords.
James Skinner approached them alone at first and they agreed to empty the fort provided they could take their arms with them, they moved out to the place where the British../2
James Skinner approached them alone at first and they agreed to empty the fort provided they could take their arms with them, they moved out to the place where the British../2
..troops were halting. The people there scouted the notion that a dozen "miserable wretches" should not think of terms at all and were told to go without their arms.
This was unacceptable to the Rajputs, the Rajput honor code made it impossible for them to leave their arms.. /3
This was unacceptable to the Rajputs, the Rajput honor code made it impossible for them to leave their arms.. /3
..They declared that they would rather die than abandon their arms, they could never return to their families with this dishonour. They pleaded and begged to the commander but to no avail.
Eventually James Skinner stepped forward, -"No," he said; β these people have... /4
Eventually James Skinner stepped forward, -"No," he said; β these people have... /4
...have come in on the faith of my pledge, and you have no right to dishonour me. If you don't like the terms, put them where they were-send them back to their fort, and make better if you can."
"Well, then," said the thoughtless young men, βdo so; let them go back,... /5
"Well, then," said the thoughtless young men, βdo so; let them go back,... /5
..back, and see if they will gain by itβwhat can they do?β
βYou will soon see that," replied Skinner ; βthere will be blood before long."
The commander permitted them to return; and the Rajputs, their faces instantly brightening up, went back to the fort,... /6
βYou will soon see that," replied Skinner ; βthere will be blood before long."
The commander permitted them to return; and the Rajputs, their faces instantly brightening up, went back to the fort,... /6
..exclaiming contemptuously, when they entered it, said- "Khoob toomhara lushker lao!β
βIt is well! now bring on your army!"
The brave Rajput men then fought for the last time in their lives, and they fought like lions, .... /7
βIt is well! now bring on your army!"
The brave Rajput men then fought for the last time in their lives, and they fought like lions, .... /7
..they made not a movement until the party was close to the wall, when every one taking deliberate aim brought down just as many men killed or wounded as they themselves numberedβand amongst the rest lay the young officer... /8
...The party, thus disabled, retreated; and, being reinforced, advanced again. Again the Rajputs gave their fire with equal effect, and then, throwing down their matchlocks and drawing their swords, quietly awaited the assault. They neither barricaded the gateway,... /9
...nor attempted to defend it; eventually all of the Rajputs were slain.
The commander, alarmed or curious, now brought up more troops, who, on entering, found the inside of the little fort thickly strewed with their own people, among whom lay the thirteen Rajputs... /10
The commander, alarmed or curious, now brought up more troops, who, on entering, found the inside of the little fort thickly strewed with their own people, among whom lay the thirteen Rajputs... /10
..the Rajputs before dying had killed three to four times the number of Britsh troops as compared to their own numbers.
These 13 Rajputs instead to leaving the fort abandoning their weapons, chose to fight and killed 3-4 times their own numbers before eventually dying.
/11
These 13 Rajputs instead to leaving the fort abandoning their weapons, chose to fight and killed 3-4 times their own numbers before eventually dying.
/11
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