Written by
SAYYID AHMED KHAN BAHADUR, C.S.I.
IN URDOO, IN THE YEAR 1858, AND TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH.
by
HIS TWO EUROPEAN FRIENDS,
BENARES,
MEDICAL HALL PRESS.
1873.

PREFACE

INTRODUCTION:
IN THE NAME OF GOD, THE MERCIFUL, THE COMPASSIONATE

[0.0] WHAT WERE THE CAUSES OF THE REBELLION IN HINDUSTAN?

[0.1] Definition of "Rebellion" exemplified with instances.
[0.2] Why it is resorted to.
[0.3] The Rebellion of 1857 did not originate from a single cause, but from a complication of causes.
[0.4] The distribution of "Chuppaties," had not league for its object.
[0.5] Russia and Persia not chargeable with a league in this matter.
[0.6] The subject of the Proclamation which was found in the tent of a Persian Prince discussed.
[0.7] The despatch of a Firman by the ex-king of Delhi to the king of Persia not improbable, but not the origin of the rebellion.
[0.8] The annexation of Oudh not the cause of the general rise.
[0.9] The national league not framed with the view of overthrowing the government of strangers.
[0.10] The position of Ex-king of Delhi well-known within the town, and its environs, but overrated in the district Provinces.
[0.11] The declaration of Lord Amherst, in the year 1827, to the effect that the sovereignty of India belongs to the British Government, and that it no longer existed in the Timour family did not offend any one.
[0.12] The Muhammadans did not contemplate jehad against the Christians prior to the outbreak.
[0.13] The preaching of Jehad in India, 35 years before with this reservation, its practice against the British Government was opposed to the doctrine of the Mahommadan religion and from the same cause its practice on the other side of the Indus provinces, i.e. against the Seiks was held before.
[0.14] None of the acts committed by the Mahommadan rebels during the disturbances were in accordance with the tenets of the Mahommadan religion.
[0.15] The Futwah of Jehad printed at Delhi was a counterfeit one.
[0.16] A large number of the Moulvies who considered the King of Delhi a violator of the law left off praying in the Royal Mosque.
[0.17] The same persons whose seals are said to be affixed to the Futwa at Delhi protected the lives and honour of Christians.
[0.18] The Bengal army was not previously in league for an out-break.
[0.19] Nor was there any league between the army and Ex-king though it is not improbable that some Sepoy or Non-Commissioned Officer may have been his disciple.
[0.20] The non-admission of a native as a member into the Legislative Council was the original cause of the out-break.
[0.21] The importance of such an admission discussed.
[0.22] The non-admission of such a member proved a hindrance to the development of the good feeling of the Indian subject towards the Government and of their good intention towards it; on the contrary, contrary effects were produced.
[0.23] The outbreak of rebellion proceeded from the following five causes.

[1.0] CAUSE I -- IGNORANCE ON THE PART OF THE PEOPLE, THAT IS, MISAPPREHENSION OF THE INTENTIONS OF GOVERNMENT

[1.1] Misunderstanding on the part of the Indians.
[1.2] Apprehension of interference of Government with the religious customs of the Indians.
[1.3] Mention of the Secundra Orphan Asylum.
[1.4] Religious discussion being carried to a great height during the present time.
[1.5] The covenanted officers assumed the Missionary functions.
[1.6] Preaching of the Gospel by the Missionaries.
[1.7] The establishment of Missionary Schools and the covenanted officers attending examinations at them.
[1.8] Village Schools.
[1.9] The introduction of female education.
[1.10] Alterations in the usual system of education in large Colleges.
[1.11] The issue of Government proclamation on the subject of admitting Government College English students to appointments in preference to other candidates.
[1.12] Introduction of the messing system in the Jails.
[1.13] The circulation of Mr. E. Edmond's letters from Calcutta.
[1.14] The interference in religious matters more repugnant to the feelings of the Muhammadans, and its causes.

[2.0] CAUSE II --  THE PASSING OF SUCH LAWS, REGULATIONS AND FORMS OF PROCEDURE AS WERE INCONSISTENT WITH THE ESTABLISHED CUSTOMS AND PRACTICES OF HINDUSTAN: AND THE INTRODUCTION OF SUCH AS WERE IN THEMSELVES OBJECTIONABLE

[2.1] The promulgation of objectionable laws and procedures. Act 21 of 1850.
[2.2] Act XV of 1856.
[2.3] Giving liberty to females.
[2.4] The promulgation of certain Acts in cases wherein the parties are of one religion.
[2.5] The resumption of M'afis.
[2.6] The result of extinguishing the Native states, according to Sir Thomas Munro, in place of raising to debase the whole people. And According to the Duke of Wellington "To degrade and beggar the natives making them all enemies."
[2.7] Public sales of Zemindari rights.
[2.8] Heavy Assessments of Lands.
[2.9] The abolition of Talookdari rights, particularly in the Oudh provinces.
[2.10] The introduction of stamped paper.
[2.11] The system of Civil Administration in the Bengal provinces superior to that in the Punjab, but requires revision in certain points.

[3.0] CAUSE III --  THE IGNORANCE OF GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF THE COUNTRY AND THEIR SUBJECTS

[3.1] The ignorance of Government of the State of the country and their subjects.
[3.2] Local authorities generally unacquainted with the condition of their subjects.
[3.3] Overwhelming poverty of the Indians, particularly of the Mahommadans.
[3.4] Scarcity of employments, generally the Mahommadans whose profession is commonly service were particularly impoverished.
[3.5] The same causes induced them to serve the rebels on one anna, one and half annas, or one seer of flour per diem.
[3.6] The stoppage of charitable pensions and stipends tending in a great measure to the poverty of the Indians.
[3.7] The investment of capital in Government loans.
[3.8] Poverty the cause of the subject's rejoicing at the idea of a change of Government, and wishing for it.

[4.0] CAUSE IV --  NEGLECT IN MATTERS WHICH SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED CONSIDERATION FROM GOVERNMENT

[4.1] Neglect in matters which should have received consideration of Government.
[4.2] Want of cordiality towards the Indians.
[4.3] In ancient times, as long as cordiality was not observed by the reigning powers, tranquillity was not established.
[4.4] Treating the Indians with contempt.
[4.5] The ill-temper and uncourtly address of local authorities towards the natives.
[4.6] This ill treatment more repugnant to the feelings of the Mahommadans, and its causes.
[4.7] Exclusion of natives from promotion to high appointments. Lord Bentinck's system of employing natives in high grades of service an inadequate one.
[4.8] The not holding of Durbars by the Governor General of India and not conferring rank and honour due to merit according to the usage of former emperors.
[4.9] The observation of these rules by Lords Auckland and Ellenborough a very proper one.
[4.10] The facts of the rebellion in India appeared more serious to the authorities than they in reality were; their causes.
[4.11] The promulgation of Her Majesty's Proclamation highly commendable, indeed may be said to have originated under divine inspiration.

[5.0] CAUSE V -- THE INSUBORDINATE STATE OF THE INDIAN FORCES

[5.1] The paucity of the English forces.
[5.2] If these two castes formed distinct Regiments perhaps the Mahommadans would not have objected to the use of the new cartridges.
[5.3] The employment of Hindus and Mahommadans in the same regiment.
[5.4] The pride of the Indian forces and its causes.
[5.5] The league of the Indian Army against the use of the new cartridges: formed after January 1857.
[5.6] The impropriety of punishing the non-commissioned officers at Meerut, which touched the vanity of the Indian forces.
[5.7] Want of confidence in the Indian forces towards Government after the occurrence of Meerut.
[5.8] Why the mutiny did not break out in the Punjab, and its causes.