Page:Ramtanu Lahiri, Brahman and Reformer - A History of the Renaissance in Bengal.djvu/193



the period at which we have arrived a man stepped forth into the field of action whose noble courage, strong will, independent spirit, moral rectitude, and universal philanthropy have made his name famous in India. This was Pandit Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagara, who, born in circumstances most adverse, attained the pinnacle of fame and power by dint of high talents, and by his unwearied exertions in every good and laudable cause. On leaving college he devoted himself chiefly to the improvement of Bengali literature, which up to this time had been a medley of several tongues. We intend giving a summary of this great man’s life in the Appendix. At this time there happened an event which convulsed the whole of India. This was the Mutiny of 1857, the cause of which was the groundless rumour that the Company Sahib (the East India Company), to make the Sepoys Christian, had prepared for them greased cartridges, so that neither Hindus nor Muhammadans serving in the Army could keep their caste. The rumour had its rise at Dumdum, whence it spread like wild-fire.

It is not our purpose to give a detailed account of the Mutiny. It is enough for us to say that it did not remain confined within the North-Western Provinces, but spread into certain parts of Behar.

Calcutta had had no real danger to fear, but the people at times were panic-stricken.

The Mutiny was soon suppressed, and Delhi and Luck- 127