Civil Disobedience in Indian Tradition, with Some Early Nineteenth Century Documents c5.s1.t2: Events at Patna

c5.s1.t2.1

Now to turn to the other towns. As stated by the Benares collector in his letter of January 2, the inhabitants of these other towns seemed to have been watching the events at Benares. On January 2, the magistrate of Patna forwarded 12 petitions regarding the house tax from the city’s inhabitants, the Government informing him on the 8th of their rejection, but cautioning the magistrate to use ‘gentle and conciliatory means’ in stopping the inhabitants from convening meetings or petitioning ‘while the discussion is depending at Benares.’ It however instructed him to use the various means he possessed under his general powers and instructed him to report without delay to Government any ‘tumultuary meetings’ or ‘illegal cabals.’