Akhbarat-i Hind 1: Governor-General Marquis Wellesley.
Akhbárát-i Hind, of Muhammad Rizá (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) 1
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- English
Governor-General Marquis Wellesley.
1.1
This nobleman resembling Joseph in beauty and Suhrab in the field of battle, was lord of the country of generosity, and master of liberality and benevolence. The pen in writing his name turns to a sugar-cane in the hand of the composer, and the gale of the spring is rendered fragrant by his munificence. He received his instruction in England, from the brother of Lord Cornwallis. The laws of Hindustan were the chief object of his study. Some years before, he had been in the Dakhin, and rendered valuable services there. First, the French had acquired great power and influence in the country around Haidarabad, an account of which shall be given in the chapter which contains a history of that city; but this wise nobleman by his judicious measures expelled them thence in such a manner that they put down their arms, acknowledged their pusillanimity, and were driven out of the Asaf's (Nizam's) State. Instead of a French, an English army was employed, and a handsome annual contribution of upwards of thirty lacs was fixed for its maintenance by the government of Haidarabad.
1.2
After this, the army which was stationed in Madras, at the very time that an expedition was setting out against Tipu Sultan the son of Haidar Naik, espoused the interests of Tipu, such an enemy as the English never have had or will have to contend with in India. Wellesley, having settled affairs at Haidarabad, went to Madras, collected the English forces, and having animated and encouraged the troops, who were quite exhausted and dispirited. on account of having been engaged in warfare for twelve or fourteen years, and having given them hopes of obtaining plunder, prepared them to sell their lives. He thus destroyed the Sultan, took possession of Seringapatam and its fort, and obtained plunder to the amount of krors of rupees; among which there was a tent which was presented to the Nawab Wazir of Lucknow, and the like of which was never prepared even in that State.
1.3
In short, he adorned the chair of governorship in 1798 A.D. Every one felt satisfied and consoled, because he appreciated merit, and was a master of wisdom and the pen. As the Honourable Company was greatly in debt, no one would take the government paper at four per cent., so in his time it was raised to twelve per cent. The army was largely augmented by new levies. In his time, too, orders were given to the English presses to print books relating to the Hindu religion, such as the Ramayana, etc. The College of Fort William was founded, and every officer who landed from English ships in Hindustan was first taught in it the language of this country, and was admitted into the public service only after examination. Next year the Governor-General demanded a contribution from the Nawab Wazir, and the territory which was possessed by him was divided equally between both the governments. Territory to the value of one kror and thirty-five lacs of rupees, which afterwards increased to an annual revenue of two krors, was added to the possessions of the British Government. The copy of the treaty, with a full detail of it, will be given in the chapter on the Wazarat.
1.4
After the acquisition of these two territories, viz. that of Tipu and that ceded by the Nawab Wazir, which extended from Allahabad up to Farrukhabad, the English prepared themselves for the Mahratta campaign, and in 1803 A.D. a battle was fought with Sindhia and Holkar, an account of which shall be given in the history of the Peshwas and the Dakhini chiefs. General Wellesley, the brother of the Governor-General, who commanded the Dakhin army, defeated the Mahrattas, and having placed Baji Rao Peshwa on the masnad, took a small portion of the territory of the Dakhin and half of Gujarat for the British Government. Afterwards, the English defeated the Bhonsla Mahrattas, and took some territory from them also. Then they conquered the entire provinces of Dehli and Agra, and repulsed the French army which was in the pay of the Mahrattas. They also gave a signal defeat to Har Nath, the bondsman of Holkar, at Shah-Jahanabad.
1.5
General Gerard Lord Lake was appointed to command the army which was despatched towards the west. He achieved great conquests, an account of which has been given above, in the general history of the Empire. Battles were also fought with Amir Khan, and a large tract of country fell into the hands of the English in the districts of Kalpi and Banda. The Government then regulated the affairs of the King of Dehli; and an annual sum of fifteen lacs of rupees was sanctioned for His Majesty's expenses. After this, they made an arrangement for the temple of Jagannath, which is a celebrated Hindu place of worship and pilgrimage in the district of Orissa; and assigned a small portion of the income derived from it to the Brahmins and guardians of the temple. They prohibited the custom of drowning children at Gangasagar. In short, before the arrival of this Governor-General, the Honourable Company's territory did not exceed seven krors of rupees in revenue; but through the great prosperity of this conquering noble, it increased to such an extent that it yielded an annual revenue of about fifteen krors. The Regulation, according to which tahsildars were allowed to take one-tenth of the revenue realized through them remained in force for six years, and the doors of prosperity were opened upon the face of the world. Notwithstanding that for the conquest of territory an expenditure of krors of rupees is necessary, yet the Court of Directors would not open their eyes to the necessity.
1.6
They still thought that, as of old, their servants might reside in the country as merchants and aliens, without taking the whole of Hindustan into their grasp. They did not know that now, on every inch of land, enemies, who possessed large forces, such as the Mahrattas and the Pindaris, had arisen. They also did not do the Governor-General the justice to consider how much country he had conquered, and to what extent he had augmented the annual revenue of the Government. From want of information, they reproached him for the enormous expenses he had incurred in his undertakings. In the same manner as they had treated Colonel Clive and Governor Hastings, they brought groundless accusations against this Governor-General also. Lord Moira in England persisted more than any one else in his opposition. Consequently Lord Wellesley resigned the government and returned home. Lord Cornwallis was then a second time sent to Hindustan by the Court of Directors. He travelled as far as Ghazipur, and then expired. In short, the Marquis governed with full authority for a period of ten entire years, having gained thousands of thanks and praises in Hindustan.