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AN ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE OF INDIA.
AN ADDRESS
TO THE PEOPLE OF INDIA,
ON THE DEATH OF
MIR SYUD MOHUMMED KHAN
BAHADOOR,
OF JYESS,
LATE TEHSEELDAR OF JUBJBULPORE,
.AJSTO ENGLISH.
BY
E. H. PALMER, B.A.,
FELLOW OF ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE ; FELLOW OF THE CAMBRIDGE PHILOSOPHICAL
SOCIETY J MEMBER OF THE ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND ;
MEMBRE DE LA SOCIETE A9IATIQ.UE DE PARIS.
CAMBRIDGE:
DEIGHTON, BELL, AND CO.
LONDON: BELL AKD DALDY.
1868.
STEPHEN AUSTIN,
PRINTER, HERTFORD.
' ; ; V ' ** '
AN ADDRESS
TO THE PEOPLE OF INDIA.
Br the special blessing of Providence, and by the
exercise of the most impartial and universal justice, the
English Government has been enabled to extend its power
and influence over the whole of the habitable globe. By
promoting the advancement of science and learning,
Britain has been one of the chief instruments in diffusing
the blessings of civilization throughout the world, and
in opening to Commerce the highways and by-ways of
the earth, not only in more frequented regions, but in
spots hitherto deemed inaccessible to man. Wherever
they have gone, the English have assisted the progress
of art and manufactures, and have striven for the improve-
ment of the inhabitants, irrespective of race or creed.
Thus their rule is everywhere received with willing
obedience, and their aid is often sought by other peoples
against the oppression of their own princes. Our Govern-
ment will not stand aloof, a passive spectator of tyranny
and wrong ; for it knows full well that by such things a
kingdom cannot stand ; but, drawing a solemn lesson from
the fate of those dynasties which have long since passed
away, or from those which are even now on the verge
of disssolution, it has ever boldly upheld the Right. God
M4O973
has therefore established us in the land, and helped us
with "a perspicuous victory ; for, verily, God giveth the
victory to whomsoever He will of His righteous servants."
" Blessed h,e He in whose hands the kingdom is ; He
glvetli it to whomsoever He will, and He taketh it away
from whomsoever He will."
Another reason for the success of our Government is its
adherence to the law of the Gospel not with a mere blind
obedience to the letter, but with sincere and humble
endeavours to imitate the Lord Jesus in compassion for
all mankind, seeking diligently to fulfil His command-
ments, and exercising that moderation which forms at once
the surest foundation and the best argument for the con-
tinuance of its rule. Whenever the oppressed cry for redress,
the English Government is ready to lend them a helping
hand, influenced by considerations of neither caste nor
creed, but assisting alike small and great, rich and poor, the
mightiest princes and the meanest slaves. A policy like this,
founded upon a sense of religious duty, is proof against the
attacks of ignorant or cavilling objectors. To prove how
especially the Mohammedan peoples have been the subject of
England's watchful care, how ungrudgingly she aids them
against their foes, it is only necessary to refer to her pro-
tection of Turkey by arms and resources in the Russian
war of 1853. The English Government has re-invigorated
drooping powers, and put life into fallen states from no
motives of self-interest or aggrandizement, but solely in
obedience to the call of Humanity the Christian precept
Universal Love.
Our supremacy in India is " a mercy from God" to the
inhabitants, a blessing from the secret storehouse of His
Grace. No Mussulman who is properly acquainted with
the precepts of his religion can ignore the text which says :
''' You will find that the nearest in amity to those who
believe are those who say, ' We are Christians ; ' and this is
because they have amongst them clergy and monks, and are
not puffed up with pride." 1
Eminent amongst the Mussulmans of India, renowned
as well for his integrity and loyalty as for his illustrious
birth and attainments, was SYBD MOHUMMED KHAN
BAHADOOR IBN NAJAT ALLIE IBN AL SYED AL NAQAWEE,
He was of a noble Indian family, tracing its descent from All,
the cousin of the Prophet, and was born in the year 1215 A.H .,
at Jyess, in Oudh, where he received such a liberal educa-
tion as befitted his rank and position. Having early en-
joyed the advantages of literary society, and imbibed a
taste for politics, he became one of our staunchest supporters,
and ultimately attained to the summit of his ambition
appointment to a distinguished and responsible post under
the British Government. In this position he won golden
opinions from all men, and from those who came in contact
with him earned love and esteem, continually increasing
to the day of his death. It would be superfluous for me
to say more in his praise, as the following extract from
the Times sufficiently demonstrates the respect and affection
with which he was regarded by those amongst whom his
lot was cast.
For the benefit of my Oriental readers I have translated
the extract in question into Arabic verse, hoping thus to
perpetuate the memory of so distinguished a man and so
warm a friend to the English Government.
1 Goran, chap, v., v. 85.
Extract from the TIMES, lOtk January, 1868.
"DEATHS.
" MOHUMMUD KHAN BAHADOOR. At Lucknow, on the 30th
Nov., 1867, in his 70th year, Meer Syed Mohumnmd Khan
Bahadoor, formerly the distinguished Magistrate and Revenue
Collector of Jubbulpore, who, after a faithful service of fifty
years, had received from the British Government an honorary
title and a handsome pension. His death has caused deep and
heartfelt sorrow to his numerous friends, both native and
European. His son, Syed Abdoolah, wishes hereby to convey
the melancholy intelligence to his friends in Europe. E.I.P."
"DEATH OF A DISTINGUISHED INDIAN.
" In our obituary for the current week our readers will find
recorded the death of a distinguished native Indian Mahomedan
gentleman, Meer Syed Mohummud Khan Bahadoor. We are
enabled to add the following interesting details of his life and
services to this country. He entered the British service in
1815, and in 1820 was promoted to the office of assistant
magistrate and revenue collector at Mooltye (the Deccan) by
the late Colonel Eobert Low, Governor- General's Agent. By
his indefatigable zeal and assiduity he was, in 1835, promoted
to the post of magistrate and revenue collector of Jubbulpore,
in which capacity he rendered unqualified satisfaction to his
immediate superiors. The late Colonels Robert Low, J. Banks,
and Sir Duncan F. M'Leod, the present Lieutenant- Governor
of the Punjaub, bore the highest testimony to his zeal, ability,
and efficiency in the judicial, revenue, and civil departments.
" Contrary to the majority of his Mussulman brethren, who
are enthralled by the grossest superstition and bigotry, and
opposed to English education and improvement (which is
the reason why few Mussulmans prosecute the study of the
English language and literature, or allow their childen
to be taught it), this enlightened Mahomedan cast off all
those illiberal feelings, and although a Mahomedan of high
standing, being, moreover, a Syed. holding a position of some
distinction and responsibility under Government, sent his son
at once to the Government College, established in Jubbulpore
in 1839. This young gentleman, Syed Abdoolah, was the first
Mahomedan boy who commenced learning English there.
" During the sanguinary and memorable Sepoy rebellion, in
1857, the noble and brave Syed Mohummud remained most
loyal and devoted to the interests of the British Government,
and upon more than one occasion he fought sword in hand for
the British. While all the British officers and Europeans
entrenched themselves at the Eesidency at Jubbulpore, the
majority of the native population were wavering, but he
remained firm. The correspondent of the Times of the 17th
September, 1857, says 'As the light slowly breaks in upon
the thick darkness which has hitherto covered, as with a
funeral pall, the secret springs which have forced into fierce
rebellion our Bengal soldiery, and turned into the most des-
perate foes the men we have nourished and cherished as our
own flesh, it becomes more and more evident that Mahomedan -
ism is at the bottom of the horrible catastrophe.' The Times
goes on to say 'that it is such a Mahomedan movement, I
think there can be no very little doubt.'
" Let us see what the secretary to the Government of India,
North-west provinces, says in this despatch to the Government
of India, dated from the Financial Department, Fort William,
28th Nov., 1859' Meer Syed Mohummud, it will be seen, at
a time when most of his co-religionists revolted, did not turn
from his allegiance to the British Government. He faithfully
and earnestly discharged his duty to the State, and is, the
Lieutenant-Governor remarks, certainly deserving of favourable
consideration in respect to the very modest request which he
prefers' (viz., pension).
" All the officials who served within the Jubbulpore, Saugar,
and the Nurbudda territories from 1818, when that province
was annexed to the British Government, will unanimously bear
8
testimony to his signal services. It is much to be regretted
that he did not live long to enjoy his well-earned pension and
honourable title ; but God's will be done."
I have written these few lines, not only to express my
appreciation of the sincere friendship with which he
honoured me, and of the deep regret which I feel at his
loss, but with a hope that they may be the means of keep-
ing alive the remembrance of his loyalty and distinguished
services. Moreover, I feel that in thus expressing myself,
I am but performing my duty my duty as a friend to my
best of friends, his son Syed Abdoollah, and my duty as an
Englishman, of endeavouring to incite by his brilliant
example others of our Indian fellow subjects to deserve
equally well of their country.
E. H. PALMER, B.A.,
Fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge,
M.R.A.S., M.S.A.P., etc.
ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE,
IQth February, 1868.
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