Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-06-07
d00ortester 4ailp Spp.

TANTIA ToPEE, THE INDIAN MARAUDER.-
The following deposition of witness against
Tantia Topee, whose execution was annonc-
ed by the last steamer, gives an interesting
outline of that remarkable freebooter -
"My name is Aman Singh, TuhseeIdar of
Aiubghur. On the 14th of January, 1859, l
heard guns firing about eleven O'Clock, A. NJ.
Five Sowars came from the direction of Saint
hal, and a.puneah whom they had pundered
of a camel came and complained l at once
came out to the garden, outside Of Alubghur,
and l saw number of Sowars assembling. l
sent man to inquire why the Sowars had
come, and to inform them that if they came in
the direction of the city | would fire on them.
One of the Sowars accompanied my man
back he said that he had come from Dewsa,
and was with the Shahzada Ferozeshah. l in
formed him that there was no road via Ajub-
ghur for a force, and asked him his reason for
comng he then said that his people had been
surprised at Dewsa early that morning. and
that they had lost great deal of property, and
that number of men had been killed on both
sides and he said that he intended to stay
there, and get russud provisions and help,)
and procure money from me- and added that
if he did not receive 10000 rupees he would
sack Ajubghur, and take russud by force.
refused to give it him, but said that if he sent
one of the sirdars / would talk to him about it.
The Sowar then went to his force, and
brought Kanoija Brahmin, named Ghoree
Shunkur. | inquired who was his sirdar told
him that | had received information of his ap-
proach, and was prepared for him with my
guns. He replied that he knew all about my
Hindostanee Foul, and would plumber the city
If he did not get supplies | said he would
lind it difficult to plumber the city, as my men
were ready, and recommended him to go past
the city by another road, and that if his Sow
airs did not keep together they would be fired
upon. -
l was told that Tantia was behind, and that
he would come up directly, and then the city
would be plundered. / then requested tohave
an interview with Tanta alone, outside his
force, but they refused this, but they offered
to give me safeguard (dhurma) if | went into
their force alone. My people did not wish me
to go, but said there no way of saving
the city, were so few, and they num-
bered 1000, and that if they did attempt any
treachery / would destroy Ghoree Shunkur,
who gave the safeguard before they could kill
or seize me.
l then went on horseback with Ghoree
Shunkur to Tantia Topee. ! was accompa-
MED by one servant and two Sepoys. A Raj
poot Thackoor seized my bride, and tried to
prevent my going into Tantia's camp. / re-
fused to get off my horse until Tantia and
Ghoree Shunkur came to one side, when got
off, and they also dismounted. l sat down
with Tantia and Ghoree Shunkur.
Tantia then told me that if wished to save
the city from plumber | must pay 10000 ru-
PEGS. refused to do this, but Tantia, being
very much confused with the beating he had
received in the morning, agreed to go, provid-
ed gave him guide to show him the way
out of the hills. l gave him four Chowkee-
dars to show him the way outside the city,
and they went on eight miles, and encamped
at Bamun, in the Ghazka Tanna pergunnah
there they plundered the village, and got some
russud by force. Tantia has round face, is
copper-colored, and is slightly pock-marked
he has rather fiat nose, has a stubble beard,
and seems to have been unshaved for a month.
He is a strong middle-sized man, about 40
years of age"
Soon after this deposition was taken, the re-
bel chief was captured, tried, and executed,
with all the soemnities of British military rou-
tine.
'The charges on which he was arragned
were confined to rebelling and opposing the
English government by force of arms. Tantia
was brought from his tent in the fort by an es-
cort of the third Bengal Europeans and then
a considerable square was formed, with the
gallows in the centre. A considerable number
of natives were scattered all over the plain and
any little elevation commanding a view of
the scaffold was thicbly studded with
whitehead spectators. Tanta had eX-
pressed some anxiety to know his fate, and
to have it expeditiously executed. Consequent.
ly at II (noon) it was intimated to him that he
was to be executed that evening. He again
feelingly expressed wish that as they were
about to ia e his life, the government would see
to his bahia in Gwalior. The finding Of the Court
was guilty, and the sentence that he be hanged
by the neck until he was dead. The mistree