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132 some into Rohilkhand, where Nana Sahib and other leaders were established in force, some into the jungles of Oudh, where, buried in their forest strongholds, hundreds of warlike Chieftains welcomed all comers to the standard of rebellion. The capture of Lucknow may be regarded as the fourth great episode in the re-establishment of British rule. The fifth was now to commence. Rohilkhand, the country which lay along the left bank of the Upper Ganges, had for many months been a dangerous centre of disturbance. Lord Canning resolved that measures for its subjugation must be at once undertaken. Sir Colin Campbell, whom a well-deserved peerage had by this time converted into Lord Clyde, proceeded to effect this object by a concentration of forces, advancing from different points of the compass upon Bareilly, the capital of the Province. A few weeks sufficed for the accomplishment of this programme. Before the close of May, 1858, a decisive engagement had shattered the fortunes of the rebel cause. Bareilly had been recovered; the leaders of the rebellion had fled into Oudh, and British rule was re-established throughout Rohilkhand.

Meanwhile, a great campaign was being fought in Central India. The English leaders had throughout been harassed, on the Jumna line of communication, by the pressure exercised by the Gwalior Contingent and other rebel forces from the Rájputána side. It was determined to relieve this pressure by a great strategic operation from the rear of the assailants.