and that the British Government was bent on departing from its ancient principles of non-interference with the customs, traditions, and religions of its Indian subjects. Englishmen were warned by native friends to be on their guard; and written prophecies[1] were spread broadcast throughout the land, foretelling the downfall of British power after the centenary of Plassey. Notwithstanding these indications, however, of ill-feeling and imminent disaster, the attitude of the people of India generally, during this eventful period, was one of neutrality. When once the outbreak became a fact, the only landholder who rebelled among the hundreds of Behar (one of the most disturbed districts in Bengal) was Koer Singh, a man whom pecuniary embarrassments had rendered notoriously desperate. Bengal, as a whole, remained tranquil. The Sikhs of the Punjab aided us. In the North-West Provinces the Hindus of Rohilkhand, forced for a time to submit to the rule of a rebel Muhammadan,
- ↑ The following is a free translation of one of such prophecies: —
The clan of Sikhs will exercise over Muhammadans great tyranny and oppression. For forty years the tyranny and the heresy will remain; after this the whole empire will be seized by the Nazarene (i. e. English). For the space of loo years their sovereignty will remain in Hindustán, when in their time heresy and tyranny shall become general. Then, the King from the West shall appear. Between these two will be fought desperate battles. The King from the West shall be victorious. Then, without doubt, the followers of the clan of Jesus will be broken, discomfited, and dispersed. For forty years the Musalmán power shall be triumphant, and after this period Anti-Christ shall be born in Ispahan. Hear what I am going to say about the destruction of the followers of Anti-Christ. For this purpose Jesus and the last Apostles will appear.'
