4 The Hostel in Highgate
Revolutionary Nationalism and Colonial Counter-Terrorism
The revolution of 1857 was a test to see how far India had come towards unity, independence and popular power [. . .] During the heat of the revolution [Emperor Bahadur Shah the second] composed a Gazal. Someone had asked him:
Dumdumaymen dam nahin ab khair mango janki
Ai Zafar thandi hui shamsher Hindusthanki.
‘Now that every moment, you are becoming weaker, pray for your life (to the English): for, Oh! Emperor, the sword of India is now broken forever!’
There is a tradition that the emperor replied:
Ghazionmen bhu raheagi jabtalak imanki
Tabto Londontak chalegi tegh Hindusthanki.
‘As long as there remains the least trace of love of faith in the hearts of our ...
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