The Lucknow Album/Aulum Bagh, and General Havelock's tomb

by Darogha Ubbas Alli

THE PRINCIPAL BUILDINGS,

GARDENS, &c.

Approaching the city by rail from Cawnpore, commencing from a southerly direction, the first view is that of—

ALUM BAGH

Nos. 1 and 2.

This was originally a fortified garden, containing a large summer-house and out-offices, built and arranged, as an occasional residence, for Newab Khas Mehal, wife of the ex-king, Wajid Ali Shah, Sultana Aulum.

During the late rebellion, the garden was occupied by a strong force of rebel troops, who held the place up to the 23rd September, 1857, when, after a desperate defence, it was captured by General Havelock, and converted into a depot for the sick and wounded, numbering some 400, of the British force. The General then, accompanied by the chivalrous Outram, undertook his gallant advance to reinforce, or finally rescue, the long beleaguered garrison of the Bailie Guard.

The Aulum Bagh derives a melancholy interest from the circumstance of the remains of the late lamented General Havelock having been buried there. The monument, "view No. 2," erected to his memory, stands, overshadowed by trees, in a quiet corner, and is extremely modest in size and pretensions.

The honor and gallantry of the General were so far rewarded, that he lived to see the object for which he had fought so bravely, successfully accomplished: it was not until the sick and wounded, and the women and children, had been safely escorted from the besieged Bailie Guard, to the camp of the Commander-in-Chief at Mahomed Bagh, that the noble spirit of the Christian soldier succumbed to disease, brought on by incessant exposure and anxiety. The monument bears the following inscription:—

"HERE REST THE MORTAL REMAINS OF

HENRY HAVELOCK,

"Major-General in the British Army and Knight Commander of the Bath; who died, at Dilkoosha, Lucknow, of dysentery, produced by the hardships of a campaign, in which he achieved immortal fame, on the 24th November, 1857. He was born on the 5th April, 1795, at Salops, Monmouth, county Durham, England."

"Entered the Army in 1815, came to India in 1823, and served there, with little interruption, until his death. He bore an honorable post in the wars of Burma, Affghanistan, the Maharatta Campaign of 1843, and the Sutlej of 1845-46. Retained, by adverse circumstances, during many years, in a subordinate position, it was the aim of his life to prove, that the profession of a Christian is consistent with the fullest discharge of the duties of a soldier."

He commanded a division in the Persian expedition of 1857. In the terrible convulsion of that year, his genius and character were, at length, fully developed and known to the world. Saved from shipwreck on the Ceylon Coast, by that Providence which designed him for yet greater things, he was nominated to the command of the column destined to relieve the brave garrison of Lucknow. This object of almost superhuman exertions he, by the blessing of God, accomplished, but he was not spared to receive on earth the reward so dearly earned; and the Divine Master whom he served, saw fit to remove him from the sphere of his labours, in the moment of his greatest triumph.

He departed to his rest in humble, but confident expectation of far greater rewards and honors than those which a grateful country was anxious to bestow on him. The skill of a commander, the courage and devotion of a soldier, the learning of a scholar, the grace of a high-bred gentleman, and all the social and domestic virtues of a husband, father, and friend, were blended together, strengthened, harmonized and adorned by the spirit of a true Christian—the result of the influence of the Holy Spirit on his heart and of a humble reliance on the merits of a crucified Saviour.

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course,
"I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me
"a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the Righteous
"Judge, shall give me on that day; and not to me only,
"but to all those that love His appearing."

⁠"His ashes in a peaceful urn shall rest;
His name a great example stands, to show
⁠How strangely high endeavours may be blessed,
When piety and valour jointly go."

This monument is erected by his sons, widow and family.

 

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1—Alum Bagh.