Page:The Indian Mutiny of 1857.djvu/381

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Eastern Bengal.
347

the repression of Kunwar Singh and his brothers, after the fall of Lakhnao, pacified Western Bihár.

In Eastern Bengal there had been, first, manifestations, then outbreaks, quite sufficient to cause considerable alarm. On the 18th of November the sipáhís stationed at Chitragáon, and which belonged to the regiment which had made itself conspicuous for its disloyalty at Barrackpur, the 34th N. I., mutinied, released the prisoners from the gaol, and quitted the station, carrying with them the contents of the treasury, and three elephants. They made for Hill Tiparah, avoiding British territory, hoping thus to reach their homes. Four days later the authorities at at Dháká attempted to disarm the sipáhís stationed there, numbering 350 men. The attempt failed, for the sipáhís resisted, and although in the contest which followed they were beaten, yet, as at Dánápur, the majority got off with their muskets, and started for Jalpaigúrí, where was located the headquarters of their regiment, the 73d.

The Government of India had been alive to the importance of taking measures to provide against the consequences of an outbreak in Eastern Bengal. The natural run of successful revolters would, they knew, be for the important stations at Púrniá, Dinájpur, and Rangpur. To avert the danger from these, which may be described as the gates of Bengal and Eastern Bihár, Mr Halliday had obtained the sanction of the Government of India to enlist bodies of sailors, then lying idle in Calcutta, to serve as garrisons in those and other places. The precaution was not taken an hour too soon. But it was taken in time, and by means of it, and of the gallant and loyal conduct of the Silhat Light Infantry, led by Byng — who was killed — and after him by Sherer, the rebels from Chitragáon were intercepted and destroyed.

Those from Dháká were, in a certain sense, more