Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-09-04
WHAT is THE INDIAN MU-
TINY

the Bengal Mutiny, that we have any
where met with:
Have our readers attempted to form to
themselves anything like an exact notion
of what is implied by the words Mu-
tiny of the Bengal Army?" We fear
not; and we will try to help them to
form one.
British India has superficial extent
of upwards of 100000 square miles,
with population of about l30,000,O00.
The native states adjoining to or sur
rounded by the British territory may
have a superficial extent of nearly $780,
900 square miles, with a population
which falls little short of 200000,O 00.-
With the exception of Burmah and Ne
paul, and one or two petty governments
all these states have entered into treaties
with the British government, by which
they have renowned the right of self
defense, and the right of maintaining d.
plomatic relations with each other. But
none of them are forbidden, and some of
them are required, TO maintain each a
separate military force. The aggregate
military forces of the native princes are
little short Of 400, 900 men-an amount
exceeding by about 100000 the numeri-
cal strength of the Anglo-Indian army.
OF the 100000 square miles which
we have taken as the approximative su-
perfcial extent of British India, about
10000 are included in the Presidency
Of Madras and 10000 in the Presiden-
cy of Bombay; the remaining 444,000
are subject, either mediately or immedia-
tely, to the Presidency of Bengal. And
this immense extent of country is inha-
bited by a population amounting to near
ly 80,OO0,O0O.
Of this territory our two most recent
acquisitions-the Punjaub and the king
dom of Oude-form part. A number of
small native States are enclareS within
it. Nepaul aljoins its northern, and
Burmah its southern frontier. The pro-
tected native States of Scindiah and
Iolkar are contiguous to its southern,
frontier. Benares, the great centre Of
Brahmical organization and influence, is
situated in nearly the centre of this ter
ritory, which contains also Lucknow and
Delhi, which, with Hyderabad in the
Deccan, may now be considered as form
ing the three principal centres of Ma
hometan influence and agitation.
Now, throughout this immense terri
tory almost every regiment of the Ben
gal army either is in open munity OF view,
ed with suspicion. Some regiments have
been disbanded some have been dIsarm
ed. The soldiers Of the disbanded re-
] giments have returned mutinous and NAL
content to their homes, or are struggling
in bands throughout the country. The
soldiers of the disarmed regiments are
affronted and irritated some have de
serted, others remain modify at theil
stations. Though several regiments re
main apparently faithful, it must be KEEP
in mind that among the mutineers ar
the men of several regiments which 70
time made most specious demonstra
trions of loyalty. AT Delhi and severs
other places, the mutineers are wagin
open war against Anglo-Indian govern
ment.
We hear it repeated on all sides that til
instruction is confined exclusively t
the army. Let US not deceive ourselve
by phrases. The army in India is ne
merely a body organized for defens
against foreign aggression. 1t is ii
main, almost the sole instrument of il
ternal civil government. Almost all Il
duties of police-such as the suppre
sion of robbers and the execution of tt
DEGREES Of the courts of justice-devolV
upon the soldiery. When treasure
moved from one part Of the country
another, it is under an escort of soldier
When civil officials travel, it is with
military guard. When we say that Il
Bengal army is nearly, if not entirel
dissolved, we say that the instrumental
, ty by which the civil government ca
ries out its behests is destroyed-that g
|, civil authority throughout the Beng
|, presidency and its dependencies is paral
zed.
This is not all. The Bengal arm
n with the exception of a few regiments
g Ghoorkas and Sikhs, is recruited fro
Is the Hindoo and Mussulman populatio
ct The Mussulmans muster strongest in Il
~ cavalry, the Hindoos in the infantry
re The Bindoos are almost exclusively r.
to poots or Brahmins. A large proporti,
ar both Of the Mussulmans and Hindo