American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-02-05
An Epitome Of India's History,

Several Of our friends have requested
from us various items of information
regarding the events, past and present,
of that country now brought so promi-
nently before the public mind. We shall
eRdeavor briefly to answer them. Brit
ish India comprises the chief part of
the peninsula of Hindostan, with the
island of Ceylon, and several depen-
dent states. 1t covers an area of eight
hundred and eighteen thousand square
miles. The population is sroughly esti-
mated at one hundred million, The
government Of the British Empire in
India is divided into three district 10.
cal governments, called presiden cies.-
Each presidency undera governor and
council, and all are subject to the au-
thority ola governor-general. The pres
idencies are Bombay, Madras, Bengal.
Almost the whole of India is thus rem
derd amenable to the British govern
ment, The commercial relations of
Englandwiththe country over which she
has ruled with almost absolute sway,
commenced in the reign of Queen Eliz.
abcth, but the date of the empire does
not extend beyond century. In 1899
there was company formed in London,
with capital of 100000. From this
period the company increased, met
formidable competition, oyercame it by
absorption, and finally in 17O8 were
trading under a capital Of sG3, 200, 600,
and the name of "The United Company
ofMerchants.' Thus far the relations
of England with India were entirely of
a commercial character. During the
next forty years, however, the political
cauldron bubbled and seethed until war
was declared and carried on nagainst the
natives. The policy of the British 60
verment then began to be apparent. In
1856 was fought the great battle be-
tween the native army commanded by
Sarajah Dowla, and the English under
| Col. Give. Calcutta was lost and won
IN this contest, During the following
seventeen years, there were q number
of battles fought, victories won, conccs-
slons made, and great privileges
granted to the invaders. In l773 the
territorial acquisitions Of the company,
and its financial embarrasmcnts, drew
the special attention Of parliment to af-
fairs in the East. A bill was intro
duced, asserting the right of the crown
to the possession ofall the land acquired
by the company. The year before this
the celebrated Warren Hastings had
been appointed Governor general of
bengal. His after acts gave rise to
the trials ofimpeachments, in wich Ed
mund Burk became so famous, lasting
as they did seven years and three
months, and ending in Hastings ac-
quittal. Wars, continued and bloody,
ragged up to the year 1892, during which
period many native hero leaders sprang
into notice. The most formidable of
these were Hydcr Ali, and his son,
Tippoo Saib. In this year o treaty of
peace was concluded with the last
named leador, which was observed on
his part but seven years. The French
had all along been the aiders and abet-
tors OF the natives against the English,
and AM again joined Tippoo Saib in 1899.
The war under these influences broke
out afresh. Before it's conclusion, the
willy chieftain was slain. Here it was
Arthur Wellesley, afterwards Duke
OF wellington, first distinguished him
self From this time up to 1856, there
was not single year in which battles
were not fought, and new territory
gained by, England. We may mention
the bloody conflicts of Ahmednugecr.
Assaye, Argaum, Bhurtpoor, Nepaul,
Rangoon, Cabal, Ferozp6re, Ferozes-
hah, Sebraon, the Punjaub, Mastaban,
Pegan, and Ande. In 1857 com.
menced the now pending difficulties.
Ihe darkest page Of history presents
no parallel to the atrocities which have
transpired there. Yet these Sepovs
have their apologists, and in England.
too, but the massacre of Cawnpore, on
the 18th or 10th Of August last, in its
terrific horror, must silence even IA
inaticism. Nena Sahib, the Nero Of
the century, looked on the slaughter,
prolonged, cruel, indecent, of SO off.
GERS, 100 men, and 100 women, all con-
nected with the British army, beside
some 400 others of tho Christians pop.
uiation. We turn from the scene with
horror, nor could we have referred to
lit had not that our imperfect ehrono-
logical sketch led us to its mention,
d --.---------- ,-----------------4---
in the private letter from Mr. Blu
| chaunn tn Gov Wollor .rh;la bn $780,.