Anandamath (Dawn over India)/Part 1/Chapter 18

Before dusk the children came to know that both Mahatma Satya and Mahendra were taken prisoners in the city jail. Slowly they gathered in hundreds, until they filled the forests around the ashram of Mother India. The fire of anger was in their eyes, and the passion of stern determination on their lips; and one could hear brave words of revenge from their mouths. Soon thousands of Children had assembled. At the gate of the main building, Jiban appeared, sword in hand, and thus spoke aloud: Tor a long time we have been thinking of destroying with root and branch the British rule in India, and then of drowning it in the depths of the seas, and thus purifying Mother India from the pollution of this alien domination. Brothers, that day is here today! Our leader, Mahatma Satya is of infinite wisdom. He is pure. He is a humanitarian. He is a patriot. We all follow his leadership. We all love him. And today he languishes as a prisoner in a British jail! Have our swords grown rusty? Have we no strength left in our hearts? Have we no courage in our hearts? Brothers, sing Bande Mataram — Bande Mataram — Bande Mataram.

'Let us now get together to crush the British rule in India under our feet. Let us burn their sceptre into ashes, and then scatter the ashes to the winds. Brothers, sing Bande Mataram again!'

Instantly the entire forest shook with the chant of Bande Mataram. Thousands of swords cried out for the enemy's blood. Thousands of spears lifted their defiant heads to the skies. The noise of the arms was as the roar of thunder. The drums struck the Bande Mataram. The noise grew so intense that many a bird and animal left the jungle. The flying birds covered the skies and filled the air with their fearful cries. Again hundreds of drums began to roar. Then the Children, chanting the Bande Mataram, emerged from the woods in files. In the darkness of the night they began to march towards the city in firm, dignified step.

They reached the city only to disrupt it. At the sudden and unexpected attack the citizens became panic-stricken and ran in all directions. The police lost their wits and were paralysed by terror.

First of all, the Children attacked the city jail, killing the guards and triumphantly freeing the Mahatma and Mahendra. They carried the two released men on their shoulders in a delirium of happiness, dancing and shouting Bande Mataram to shake the city to its very foundations. Then they attacked and burnt the homes of Englishmen wherever they found them. But Mahatma Satya commanded that there should not be unnecessary destruction of life and property.

The British were aghast at this attack on the city, and at once dispatched a contingent of provincial sepoys to suppress the rebels. In addition rifles, the sepoys had a cannon with them. At the news of their advance, the Children again emerged ready for battle from the jungles around the ashram of Mother India. But how could their lathis, spears and rifles cope with British cannon? The Children were defeated.