It is a narration
of events of year 1857 actually written in 1857. Perhaps the only book of its
kind. Howsoever well researched any modern historian may write, it seems
difficult to match the exact picture portrayed by Vishnu Bhatt Godshe Versaikar
of the “gadar”. It was due to the terror of the colonial empire that the
original author prescribed in his will that his writings be published only
after his death. First publication of this book happened in 1907, four years
after the death of Godshe in 1903. It records a unique and must read account of
day to day happening of an ordinary life of the Indian commoner as well as a
very extra ordinary record of the real life of princes in the palaces.
The author
left from south India and could reach only central India as far as Lucknow
before he started to return. Not surprisingly, when he enters the region of
central India he thinks that he is ‘entering Hindoostan’. Datia, Bothoor,
Gwaliar, Jhansi etc. all the places, now not remembered as the major centres of
either business or governance were certainly the most important places of that period.
To my good fortune I have also travelled widely in the areas of the central
India mentioned by the author mostly because of the postings of my father as a
judge in those places. It seems with time history changes and with it, economics of geography too. Now Datia, Bithoor, Chitrakoot etc. are no more
that important places as described in the travelogue of the author. The identity of the places has undergone
complete change.
Another very
important fact is the fierce fight of Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi with the
Britishers. This may interest to some of the ‘west educated historians in
India’ who believe the idea that she was willing to surrender on the condition
of mercy etc. This book by Vishnu Bhatt provides first-hand information and
records the valor of queen more authentically than any British archive or
museum.
Bhatt records
that there was no concept of Hindustan beyond central India. It replies a very
vital question often asked. Why British won the first war of independence? A
very simple answer can be gathered from the book. It was never fought by
natives with any idea of one nation or nationality, which was predominant in
the case of the British. It looks like the war was never destined to be won by
the natives. Apart from all other organizational strengths, the British were
fighting with a clear idea of their own national identity. In the case of
native rulers, they were just fighting to save their ‘own’ kingdom and
territory bereft of any idea of nationhood. Predominant cause to fight for
rulers was their religion. Native armies were predominantly made of mercenaries
who were fighting for the loot, they were expecting in case of winning a
battle. In his own words after the collapse of the city of Jhansi, author was
spared by the looting soldiers only because he looked as foreign to the
land as they themselves were. This was certainly no way to win a war of
independence!
This book
counters to one theory which says that the colonial rule was good for the
natives for various reasons and also shamelessly propagated by Britishers as 'white man’s burden theory'. Author records
that the British army didn’t behave any better in its barbaric acts than the
native mercenaries. It was pure and simple loot by the party who won the war.
Perhaps the first time in history the organized loot has been described in great
detail. The British made loot very systematic after the war.
First day, was reserved for the English when no one except the British were allowed to loot gold and silver.
Second day, was for the native soldiers (in the British army) who could loot only copper and iron etc.
Third day, even the camp followers were also given a chance, who were allowed to loot the clothes and related items.
Fourth day, was open to all, “Whoever can loot whatever”.
On the last day Vishnu Bhatt, who was spared with his life, could somehow only save a tattered loincloth on his body. This was the character and gallant of the White Man so decorated in ranks authorized from the Great Queen Victoria of The Great Britain.
First day, was reserved for the English when no one except the British were allowed to loot gold and silver.
Second day, was for the native soldiers (in the British army) who could loot only copper and iron etc.
Third day, even the camp followers were also given a chance, who were allowed to loot the clothes and related items.
Fourth day, was open to all, “Whoever can loot whatever”.
On the last day Vishnu Bhatt, who was spared with his life, could somehow only save a tattered loincloth on his body. This was the character and gallant of the White Man so decorated in ranks authorized from the Great Queen Victoria of The Great Britain.
Destiny, it is all Destiny. Was the last thing Vishnu Bhatt could
conclude from all his travel.
Sounds so contemporary…
Kartikey Hari.
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