ABSTRACT

John Nicholson was undoubtedly the most remarkable of those heroic men who became famous in the days of our humiliation. He had spent five years in Bannu, and as far back as 1853 Lawrence had enjoined on him the necessity of reporting Border raids; for, with all his grand qualities, he did not write willingly even on matters of duty. Nicholson on his arrival at Pindi had a long and exciting argument with the Chief Commissioner, who encouraged his subordinates to speak out freely. Lawrence had written to his deputy, Edwardes, at Peshawar early in June, proposing in the event of disaster at Dehli to offer the Peshawar Valley to the Amir of Kabul, and asking for the advice of General Cotton, and Nicholson. The column which Nicholson took over consisted of 2 batteries and 1 battalion of Europeans and the 33rd and 35th Bengal Infantry, both only awaiting an opportunity to mutiny when nearer Dehli.