The highway from Calcutta to Delhi was blocked up by mutiny
and insurrection; and every European soldier sent up from Calcutta was
stopped for the relief of Benares, Allahabad, Cawnpore, or Lucknow. But
the possession of the Punjab at this crisis proved to be the salvation
of the empire. Sir John Lawrence, Chief Commissioner in the Punjab, was
called upon for almost superhuman work; to maintain order in a conquered
province; to suppress mutiny and disaffection among the very sepoy
regiments from Bengal that were supposed to garrison the country; and to
send reenforcements of troops and guns, and supplies of all
descriptions, to the siege of Delhi. Fortunately the Sikhs had been only
a few short years under British administration; they had not forgotten
the miseries that prevailed under the native Government, and could
appreciate the many blessings they enjoyed under British rule. They were
stanch to the British Government, and eager to be led against the
rebels. In some cases terrible punishment was meted out to mutinous
Bengal sepoys within the Punjab, but the Imperial interests at stake
were sufficient to justify every severity, although all must regret the
painful necessity that called for such extreme measures.
Pages:
663
664
665
666
667
668
669
670
671
672
673
674
675
676
677
678
679
680
681
682
683
684
685
686
687