Devasheesh gets a promotion

Devasheesh had the opportunity to meet with the Governor of India in person or a second time on the morning of the 12th. They discussed about the hostage situation and concluded that a special envoy was to be sent immediately. Dev envisioned a military expedition, but Earl Canning instead peddled on him a single platoon of cavalry and an envoy: Mr. Stanford Cresford.

Cresford was cold and condescending and made clear that Devasheesh was merely a guide to navigate Delhi. Dev retaliated with a counter-proposal: he was to be made a political envoy as well, although of a lower rank than Cresford. He made convincing points and got the promotion directly from the Governor. Cresford was then offended. Devasheesh also convinced the Governor to release a company of cavalry to return to Delhi.

Travel to Delhi

Cresford made his very best to isolate Devasheesh from the men by playing the race card. Devasheesh tried his best to be one of the guys with the soldiers, but his effort fell flat. He resolved to keep on the lookout and react where needed to Cresford’s open hostility.

On the night of the 15th, about 1 hour before the planned arrival in Allahabad, the train suddenly stopped. Devasheesh proceeded to the engine to find out what was going on. He discovered that the army was to assault a strong position of mutinous soldiers in the AM and that the railroad was shutdown for the time being.

Cresford resolved to released the cavalry to support the assault. Devasheesh left the train with his effect and crossed Allahabad’s periphery in hope to find a carriage or a horse on the other side at one of the EITC’s office. To his disappointment, the office had been burnt to the ground earlier in the day. He accepted that he would have to wait for the assault to take its course.

The massacre of Allahabad

Devasheesh volunteered as a sniper in support of the assault. He distinguished himself very well during the operation although he shot from a fair range and was at no point in danger nor in a position to make much of a difference. His action were, however, noted by the men who assumed that he was nothing more than a disfigured political cronie.

By Mid-afternoon on the 15th, they were ready to leave for Delhi again as the rebels had been defeated and dealt with as per orders from Calcutta.