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JULY, 1926
THE MUTINY AT INDORE
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troops will certainly be turned from their fidelity to Government; whereas the arrival of a European force at Mhow would tend immediately to establish tranquillity throughout Malwah, and would prove to Holkar that the Government are ready to assist him in his endeavours to quiet the country. A column to assist us should be sent to Mhow as quickly as possible, as it will tend more to tranquillize the country than anything else. I have no body here but my own company of artillery, and the officers who escaped from the 23rd Regiment N. I. and wing 1st Light Cavalry, and have been obliged to assume political authority to communicate with the Maharaja of Indore.
The Europeang, Captain and Mrs. Keatinge, Mr. Theobald, Mr. and Mrs. Naher and children, and a surgeon, have quitted Mundlaysir, in consequence of a dispute amongst some native officers, and have taken refuge in a small fort at Parnasa in Nimaur. Captain Keatinge talks of returning to Mundlaysir when things are quiet.
Pray telegraph strength of the column approaching, that supplies may be got ready on their line of march; also the route they will come by.
From Captain Hungerford, to Lord Elphinstone-Telegraph Message, July 9th.
The advance of Captain Orr's column has been reported, but it has not yet reached the Norbudda. I have written to Captain Orr to carry out his orders concerning Mundleysir, but not to advance to Mhow.
- Malwah is in such an excited state, that no native troops can come here without injury. Holkar's troops have already joined in one mutiny, and have only just returned to a very slight degree of subordination; the arrival of fresh native troops would probably lead to renowed intrigue, and might cause incalculable mischief.
I beg therefore your Lordship to allow only European troops to advance on Mhow. We are safe ; and a few European troops would tranquillize the whole country.
Letter No. 431.
Mhow, July 10th, 1857. I beg to continue my report :
1. I regret to say that both Captain Elliot and myself have written to Colonel Durand without reply; and that, although officers' servants and others have come in from Sehore with letters, no communication has been received froni Colonel Durand, whom we believe to be at that place. We have heard that the Bhopal Contingent at Sehore is in a state of mutiny, but do not know whether the news is true.
2. It having been reported that Captain Hutchinson, assistant to Agent, with his wife, had been made prisoners by the Amjheera Raja, and carried to Amjheera, accompanying correspondence (marked D, ante) took place, and His Highness has despatched a foroe to Amjheera to act as circumstanees may render necessary. The result shall be communicated to you as soon as known.
3. The officers of the Malwah Contingent, stationed at Mehidpore some time back, on an outbreak occurring at that station (wherein the cavalry murdered their officers), left Mehid. pore, and took refuge at Jowra. The artillery and infantry were not led away by the example offered by the cavalry, but continued loyal. The commandant of the Contingent and some other officers were ordered back to Mehidpore ; but, during the late disturbances at Indore, they again left their regiment, and at the present moment it is reported to me that the Contin. gent is without officers. The accompanying correspondence (marked 432 and 434, with letter from Durbar, dated 8th July) passed on the subject..
4. On the first outbreak at Indore, Colonel Durand's note to Colonel Platt stated that he was attacked by Holkar, and the general impression was that the mutiny of the Indore troops was at the instigation of the Maharaja. Since the departure of the mutineers from Indore, the actions of the Raja (which the correspondence forwarded will make known) have
Sir,
