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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
118 =
[JUNE, 1926
B.
To His Highness The Maharaja of Indore.
Mhow, Fortified Square, July 3rd, 1857. Raja baheb,
You must be as well aware as myself of the occurrences at Mhow. After the disturbance at Indore, the native troops at Mhow mutinied, cut down their commanding officers, and marched upon Indore yesterday morning.
I understand, from many natives, that you have given food to the mutinous troope. I have heard also, but do not know whether to believe, that you have lent them guns and offered them irregular cavalry as assistance. These reports are probably very much exaggerated ; I do not believe them. You owe so much to the British, and can be so utterly ruined by showing enmity towards them, that I do not believe you can be so blind to your own interests as to afford aid and show friendship to the enemies of the British Government. Let me understand therefore from yourself what your wishes are. From your not throwing obstacles in the way of the mutinous troops passing through your territory, and not punishing them, asa Power friendly to the British would do, many may suppose that you are not so much the friend of the British Raj as I believe you to be. Write, therefore, and let me understand your intentions. I am prepared for everything, alone and without assistance; but with the assistance I very shortly expect, I can act in a manner that you will find, I fear, very injurious to your interests; and if you will take my advice, you will write to me at once, and let me know what I am to think of the reports which have reached me.
Your obedient servant, (Signed) T. Hungerford, Captain,
Commanding at Mhow.
c.
No. 425 To The Adjutant-General, Bombay Army.
Mhow, 4th July, 1857. Sir,
"I request you will be good enough to communicate to the Adjutant-General, Bengal Army, the following:
1. I forwarded, on the morning of the 2nd instant, an electric telegraph message to the agent at Ackberpore, requesting that officer to report to the Bombay Government, and to Colonel Woodburn, commanding a field force, our position at Mhow, in the hope that rein. forcements would be hurried on for our relief.
2. At 10 p.m., on the 1st current, a mutiny took place at this station of the native troops, consisting of the 23rd Regt. N.I., and wing 1st Light Cavalry. Colonel Platt commanding the station and 23rd Regt., Captain Fagan the adjutant of that regiment, and Major Harris commanding 1st Light Cavalry, were cut down by the mutineers. These officers were blindly confident of the fidelity of their troops, though repeatedly warned that the men are not staunch; and no precautionary measures for the safety of the station, I regret to say, were taken until the very last moment. At half-past 6 p.m., on the 1st current only, could I prevail on the commanding officer to allow me to occupy the Fort of Mhow, the only place where Europeans could take refuge in the event of a rise of the native troops.
3. Atlla.m., on the morning of the 1st, Colonel Platt had called on me with a letter from Colonel Durand, acting Resident at Indore, begging that the battery under my command might be sent to Indore instantly. I marched my battery, therefore, at once on Indore ; but, on getting half way, was met by a Sowar with a note from Colonel Travers, Commanding the Bhopal Contingent, stating that he was retreating on the Mundlaysir road. As it was impossible to know where Colonel Travers might be, and he was accompanied by Colonel Durand and the other British Residents of Indore, I returned to Mhow.
