ABSTRACT
The Rebellion of 1857 has essentially been viewed as a north Indian affair, with the regions south of the Vindhyas remaining unusually calm. Such thinking has its basis in the ideas that have been transmitted to generations of students of history by textbooks and other historical writings vis-à-vis the anti-British struggle in India. It is perhaps in this light that the very issue of Madras being the ‘benighted province’ remains to be explored. In his much celebrated work on the developments relating to the Rebellion, Surendra Nath Sen has observed that the Madras presidency had remained unaffected all through, despite some slight signs of disaffection that afflicted the army.1 The ‘native’ literati in Madras were also said to have been on the side of law and order and were believed to have been forthright in denouncing the uprising in unambiguous terms. However, a different version was upheld in the resolution published by the
judicial department of the government of Madras on 3 September 1857, wherein it was observed:
Hyderabad is always inflammable and was sure to be deeply excited. … Our Provinces of Kurnool, Cuddapah and Malabar contained a large Musalman population which would participate in these feelings, and at Madras itself and the towns of Arcot, Vellore and Trichinopoly animosity was felt in consequence of extinction of the Nawabship of the Carnatic … Prominent notice was drawn to the Native Community by the press. The proceedings of Government in its General Administration, as well as in Military and Political matters, and the supposed discontent caused thereby, especially among our Native Soldiery, were largely descanted upon, our want of it was observed, strength was pointed out and most injudicious subjects were discussed. Thus one newspaper entered into lengthened arguments to prove that greased cartridges of objectionable materials had really been issued … another turned into derision Sir H. Lawrence’s address to the Troops at Lucknow, and published a supposed speech form the mouth of a Sepoy in refutation of it. These publications, unfortunately, do not reach English readers only. They are republished in Vernacular newspapers and thus have a deleterious effect on the Native
Community. The policy of annexing native States on the failure of lineal male heirs may in particular be noticed as having been discussed in very inflammatory language.2
