Page:The Indian Mutiny of 1857.djvu/131

Rh seat of the Government of the North-west Provinces, but, as a royal residence in the times of the early Mughals, it had great traditions, whilst its position, almost touching the territories of Gwáliár and of Rájpútána, made it a gate the possession of which by the rebels would constitute an enormous peril to British interests. A great deal, then, depended on the personnel of the officials, civil and military.

The Lieutenant-Governor was Mr John Colvin, a civilian trained in Bengal proper, but who had been private secretary to Lord Auckland during the troublous times of the first Afghán war. It is possible that in quiet times Mr Colvin might have gained a great reputation. He had a cultivated mind, and large intellectual faculties. But to guide the State vessel through a storm, to sway the minds of others in dangerous times, there was wanted a man with iron nerves, complete self-confidence, one who could impress his will alike on his friends and his foes. The Great Revolt of 1857 did bring to the front some men of that stamp — Havelock, Strathnairn, Nicholson, Hodgson, Roberts, Napier, and some others — but amongst them cannot be reckoned the amiable John Colvin.

The troops stationed at Agra consisted of the 3d European Regiment, a battery of artillery (D'Oyley's), and the 44th and 67th Regiments N. I. The officer commanding the brigade was Brigadier Polwhele. The station was very straggling. The troops were cantoned in the open ground between the fort and the civil lines. The fort is a handsome quadrangle of red sandstone, built by the illustrious Akbar. It was used as a magazine and general emporium.

To the indications of ill-feeling and discontent given by the 19th and 34th N. I. in Bengal Mr Colvin had been as blind as the Government of India. Nor had the circulation of the chapátís, which had taken place