Ch. VI ]
 

Rohilkhand
 

CHAPTER   VI

eohilkhand
 

Bareilly was the capital of the province of Rohilkhand. The
English had wrested the kingdom away from the Rohilla Pathans
who had been ruling the province. There was a population there
of brave, strong, and spirited Mussulmans, biding their time to take
revenge for this insult. Rohilkhand and its capital must also be
counted among the places where the Revolutionary propaganda
against English rule was spreading fast about the year 1857. In
Bareilly, at this time, were stationed the 8*^ Irregular Cavalry,
the 18*^ and 68*^^ regiments of infantry, and a battery of Indian
artillery. Over this force, the chief officer was Brigadier
Sibbald. About the month of April, some Sepoys had expressed
their doubt about the cartridges, but the Government did not
pay any serious attention to them, and forced the Sepoys
singly to accept them. Once or twice again there was some
tumult and growing disaffection among the Sepoys, but the
Government could riot see its danger.

The news of the Meerut rising reached Bareilly on the 14^^
of May. Thereupon, the Englishmen Sent all their families
towards Naini Tal and ordered the cavalry to be in readiness.
The cavalry was also Indian, but it had the special and
complete confidence of the English. All the Sepoys, including
the cavalry, were called on parade on the 15*^ of May, and the
chief English officer preached to them loyalty and good behaviour.
He said that the new cartridges were thenceforth to be stopped,
and that the Sepoys should use the old cartridges to which they
had no objection.    Nay more, he said he would himself trample

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