Bharatiya Pragna - Dr. Th Chowdary

! We ask the Company whether they have got
the least right to question the manner in which
the pension is expended ? Nay, can the Company
ask even its own servants as to how they
spend their pensions or what they
save out of it ? But it is strange
that a question, which the Company
dare not ask even of its own
servants, is raised in the case of
the heir to a royal dynasty, and is
made the pretence to break a
treaty.” With this argumentative
and spirited despatch, Nana’s
faithful ambassador, Azimullah
Khan, left for England.
Of the important characters
in the Revolutionary War of
1857, the name of Azimullah
Khan is one of the most memorable. Among the
keen intellects and minds that first conceived the
idea of the War of Independence, Azimullah must
be given a prominent place. And among the many
plans by which the various phases of the Revolution
were developed, the plans of Azimullah
deserve special notice.
Azimullah was very poor by birth. He
rose gradually on the strength of his own merits,
and at last became the trusted adviser of Nana
Sahib. His early poverty was such that he served
as a waiter in the household of an Englishman.
Even while in such a low state, the fire of ambition
was always burning in his heart. He took
advantage of his profession as a Baberchi in
order to learn foreign languages, and in a short
time he had learned to speak English and French
with fluency. After acquiring a knowledge of both
these languages, Azimullah left the service
50
2. Nana’s Claims against the East India
Company of the Feringhis and began to study
in a school at Cawnpore. By his extraordinary
ability, he soon became a teacher at the self-
same school. While still serving as a teacher in
the Government school at Cawnpore, his reputation
as an able scholar reached the ears of
Nana Sahib, and he was introduced at the
Brahmavarta Durbar. Once, at the Durbar, his
wise counsels were appreciated and valued by
Nana Sahib, who would take no important step
without first consulting Azimullah.
In 1854, he was made the chief representative
of Nana Sahib and sent to England.
His face was noble, his speech sweet and silvery.
Knowing very well the customs and manners
of contemporary English life, he soon became
very popular among Londoners. Attracted
by his pleasant and silvery voice, his spirited mien
and Oriental magnificence, several young English
women well in love with Azimullah.
to be Continued......
November & December 2008 Bharatiya Pragna