Page:Sir Henry Lawrence, the Pacificator.djvu/167

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
158
SIR HENRY LAWRENCE

(as afterwards severely commented on by Lord Stanley in a dispatch dated October 13, 1858), with the consequence that by the end of the year the whole Province was in a state of the most profound and violent irritation. The Tálukdárs were deprived in part of the estates of which they had been, rightly or wrongly, in possession; and their clansmen feeling, in a manner which the Government bad not expected, the consequent reduction of the wealth, status, and power of their chiefs, joined in their resentment.

Then, again, in the early part of 1857, before Sir Henry Lawrence's arrival, vigorous brigandage had been resuscitated, especially under a leader named Fazl Alí; and a moulvie had begun to preach at Faizábád a Jehad, or religious war, against the infidel English. This moulvie was afterwards a most prominent leader in the revolt, and was found to have been long instigating and fomenting it over many of the Provinces of India.

On his arrival, Sir Henry's first step, as the essential basis of all content and administration, was to enforce law and order. He attacked and dispersed the bands of brigands, and killed Fazl Alí. He also caught and imprisoned the Faizábád moulvie.

His next movement was to carry out the promises and the engagements made on the proclamation of the annexation, but not hitherto fulfilled. The gratuities, pensions and allowances promised to those connected with the royal family and court were settled; and all harsh and discourteous treatment of them was