The prince's men came to know about Tambe's daughter. They learned she was a mother-less girl, fair, and of marriageable age. A royal agent then came to Brahma-vart. The middleman, who represented Tambe, said: we do not seek dowry for the girl. But Tambe himself is widower; he wants to remarry. Hence, the prince may finance Tambe's remarriage, and provide him with a house at Jhansi.
Prince's agent agreed. Tambe's daughter's maiden name was Chhabeli; upon marriage she was renamed Laxmi. The family moved to Jhansi. Within a few days, Tambe also remarried. He has had a son and a daughter from this marriage.
(Uncle said) Let's now proceed to Jhansi. We won't face much turmoil on the way; because now the war has shifted to Kanpur.
We needed some company. A Maratha general from Gwalior was going to visit his brother, we followed along.
Tantya
We met several men on the way; they told us stories of the war. The whole of North India was roiling. Native armies had marched on Kanpur, a great battle had ensued.
Two gentlemen told us that Tantya Topi landed in Gwalior army camp a few weeks ago with 25 horsemen. He won over four companies of men. Topi told Scindia, the king of Gwalior: we won't harm you or your province. But kindly make arrangement for some carts, horses and camels. We would leave your territory.
Later, Topi's army moved on Kanpur
Battle of Kanpur
(At Kanpur)The English army had walled off the bank of Ganges by sandbags. Natives attacked from outside; but their artillery couldn't breach this barrier. The battle went on for several days, but the city didn't fall.
Nanasaheb hired a Nepali brahmin. He came to Kanpur, saw the barrier, and repositioned the native guns. A barrage ensued. The English artillery too responded. The battle started in earnest; men yelled battle-cries at each other. Natives bombarded the barrier with poison-shells. These shells gave off poisonous fumes upon bursting. Those on the other side of barrier were blinded by the fumes. Several Englishmen died. Some tried to escape, and were captured. The providence finally handed victory to Nanasaheb Peshwe.
*Nanasaheb was the adoptive son of Peshwe Bajirao II - Kapil
No comments:
Post a Comment