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148
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
( AUGUST, 1926
.
Sir,
THE MUTINY AT INDORE. (Some Unpublished Records.) BY H. G. RAWLINSON, M.A. (Continued from page 128.)
No. 482.
Mhow, July 8th, 1857. Sir.
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of this day's date, asking for advice regarding matters connected with the Malwah Contingent.
As I am in complete ignorance of what has already ocourred at Mehidpore, may I beg that His Highness will inform me under what circumstances the men of the Contingent demand increased pay ;-whether such demand was made known to, or sanctioned by, Colonel Durand ; -what number and description of men still remain firm at Mehidporo ;-what officers are with the Contingent ;- and what amount of arrears of pay are due to the men. If His Highness will be good enough to order this information to be sent to me, I will gladly give him the best advice in my power.
I have etc.,
(Signed) T. Hungerford, Captain,. To Bhao Rao Ramchunder Rao.
Commanding at Mhow, No. 484.
Mhow, July 9th, 1857. On reconsidering the purport of your letter of the 8th instant, regarding the Malwa! Contingent, I beg to offer the following advice to His Highness the Maharaja.
1. From what I have heard of Colonel Durand's desire to benefit the condition of the men of the Contingent, I believe that the Acting. Resident has applied for the sanction of Government to place them on the same footing as the native regiments of the line, with regard to pay, for the good behaviour of the artillery and infantry during the disturbanoes at Mehidpore. This application is, I think, certain to be attended to; but as no demand can be sanctioned if made by the Contingent in any other but a respectful and subordinate manner, I hope the men will well weigh the great advantages they will gain by continuing the conduct which has already met the approval of the Resident, and refrain from actions which will cause them to forfeit what they have so well earned.
2. As it is impossible that the good men of the Mehidpore Contingent can continue staunch without officers to encourage and support them, and as the whole of the officers of the Contingent have apparently at this time left Mehidpore, I think it would be very advisable, if the Maharaja would try and persuade Captain Fenwick to take command of the Contingent at the present moment.
3. Were Captain Fenwick to take this step at this crisis, maintain a proper state of discipline and subordination in the corps, and hold Mehidpore until properly reinforced at that station, I think the good service he would do the British Government would be thoroughly appreciated, and highly rewarded by it, and such service would also redound greatly to the credit of His Highness the Maharaja himself.
I have eto.
(Signed) T. Hungerford, Captain, The Bhao Rao Ramchunder Rao.
Commanding at Mhow.
H.
Telegraph Message from Lord Elphinstone. Directions have been sent to Captain Orr to move along the left bank of the Nerbudda to Barway, and join the advancing column from Aurangabad.
