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A letter written from Calcutta by Lokaramaṇa Upādhyāya re political, military and geographical information of the British presence in South Asia (VS 1894)

ID: DNA_0005_0028


Edited and translated by Manik Bajracharya, Simon Cubelic, and Rajan Khatiwoda
Created: 2015-12-08; Last modified: 2021-07-26
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Published by Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities: Documents on the History of Religion and Law of Pre-modern Nepal, Heidelberg, Germany, 2017. Published by the courtesy of the National Archives, Kathmandu. The copyright of the facsimile remains with the Nepal Rashtriya Abhilekhalaya (National Archives, Government of Nepal). All use of the digital facsimiles requires prior written permission by the copyright holder. See Terms of Use.
The accompanying edition, translation/synopsis and/or commentary are available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License CCby-SA.

Abstract

In this letter Lokaramaṇa Upādhyāya responds to orders given to him by the chief royal preceptor regarding the following: the territorial extension and political influence of the Company government; the preparation of a map of Hindustan; neighbouring states of the Company government; the military status of different forts controlled by the British; the preparation of a map and the acquisition of pictures of Calcutta and the recruitment of a person able to identify proper flint for use in weapons.



Diplomatic edition

[1r]

1⟪नं­४७१­⟫

1अर्जि­¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯
2उप्रान्त­•अंरेजको­मुलुक­अर्जतुल्ना­कति­छ­•चौतर्फि­सिवानाको­नक्सा­उतारि­पठावनु­•सिवाना­कस­कस
3सग­मिल्याको­छ­•किल्ला­ज्मा­कति­छन्­•कौन­कौन­जगामा­छन्­•साना­ठु[?]­[?]­छन्­•वारुदषाना­ज्मा­कति­
4छन्­•कौन­जगामा­छन्­•साना­ठुला­कति­छन्‌­•मेगजिन­काहाँ­काहाँ­कति­छन्­•फौज­ज्मा­कति­छ­•काहाँ­
5काहाँ­कति­छ­•गोरा­•तिलंगा­•तुर्कसवार­कति­छन्­•पगरि­कति­छन्­•तोफ­[?][?]­[?]काहाँ­का
6हाँ­कति­छन्­•कल्कत्ता­सहर­•र­•ताहाँको­किल्ला­हवेलि­कस्ता­छन्­•नक्सा­उतारि­पठावनु­•वन्दुकमा­•
7लागन्या­कालापत्थर­ञाहा­पाहाडमा­चिन्ह्या­मानिस­[?]
8दिनु­•हुकुम­•वुढा­गुरुज्युवाट­आया­वमोजिम्­•अंरेजको­मुलुक­•अर्जतुल्ना­कति­छ­•भनि­हुकुम­भया
9का­अर्थ­•हिन्दुस्तानका­वादसाह­[?]नेपाल­र­•पन्जापका­•अमल्दारि­वाहेक­कति­अंरेजका­•षास­द
10षल्मा­छ­कति­अंरेजका­तावेमा­[?]­अंरेजका­तावे[?]­[?]याका­राजा­रजवाडा­नवावका­मुलुक्‌­•अंरे
11जका­षास­•अमल्दारीका­माझ­माझमा­हुनाले­•उन्हे[?]सित­सिवाना­छ­•चौतर्फि­•सिवानाको­नक्सा­उ
12तारि­पठावनु­भनि­•हुकुम­आयाका­अर्थ­•चौतर्फि­सिवानाको­नक्सा­उतार्दा­सारा­हिन्दुस्तान्को­नक्सा­उ
13तार्नु­पर्छ­•नक्सा­उतार्न­जान्न्या­मानिसहरुलाइ­सोधदा­•हिन्दुस्तान्का­एक­नक्सालाइ­दुई­सए­[?]
14पैयादेषि­कम्­भन्दैनन्­उ­नक्सा­पनि­अंरेजिमा­उन्हेरु­उतारिदि[?]­हिन्दि­अक्षर­आफुले­•ले
15षावनु­पर्न्या­हुदा­•नक्सा­नलेषाइ­अंरेजि­र­फार्सि­अक्षर्मा­छापा­भयाको­हिन्दुस्तान्को­नक्सा­षो
16जि­•अंरेजका­दोकानवाट­८०­रुपैयामा­•षरिद­गर्याँ­•सिवाना­कस­क[?]­मिल्याको­छ­[?]­[?]
17म­भयाका­अर्थ­•वायव्य­कोनातिर­सिषका­मुलुक्‌सित­सिवाना­छ­पच्छिम­नैरित्य­दषिन­सिवा
18नामा­समुद्र­छ­आग्नए­पुर्व­वर्माका­मुलुक्‌सित­सर्हद­छ­ईसानतिर­[?]टका­मुलुक्‌सित­सर्हद­
19छ­•उत्तरका­तर्फ­•नेपालका­मुलुकसित­•सर्हद­छ­•किला­ज्मा­कति­छन्­•कौँन­कौँन­जगा[?]­छन्­
20साना­ठुला­कस्ता­छन्­•भनि­हुकुम­भ[?]का­अर्थ­•अंरेजले­वनायाका­ठुला­किल्ला­२­छन्­•कल्कत्तामा­
21एक­•कल्कत्ताका­किल्लाको­नाम­•फोर्ट­विलीयम्‌­छ­•[?]नराजमा­किल्ला­१­मनराजका­किल्लाको­नाम­
22फोर्ट­सिन्त­जार्ज­छ­•कल्कत्ताका­गौर्म्येन्टका­तावेका­मुलुकमा­हिन्दुस्तानिका­पालाका­मुलुकमा
23का­किल्लाहरुमा­•चर्नारगढको­किल्ला­•प्रयागको­किल्ला­•आगराको­किल्ला­आवाद­छ­•ईन­किल्ला
24मा­•फौज­गोरा­•काला­तिलंगा­•तोपषाना­•वारुदषाना­[?]­रहन्छ­•कल्कत्ताका­ईलाकाका­•मुलु
25कमा­•हिन्दुस्तानिका­पालाका­ई­३­किल्ला­वाहेकका­•किल्लाहरू[?]­[?]­पनि­रहदैन­•किल्ला­टुटि­
26फुटि­•उजार­छन्­•ञाहा­अंरेजका­•कागजमा­उन­किल्लाको­तप्सील­लेषियाको­छैन­•काहा­छन्­•क
27ति­छन्­•केहि­ठेकाना­पाईदैन­•वम्वै­र­•मनराजका­मुलुकमा­•पुराना­कि[?]­[?]
28तेस्को­केहि­ठेकाना­मिल्याको­छैन­•षोज­तलासमा­छु­पाउन्या­वितिकै­विन्ति­चह्राइ­पठाउला­•वारुद
29षाना­•मेगजिन­•वेलाईति­गोरा­र­•हिन्दुस्तानि­तिलंगा­•र­•तुर्कसवार­•पगरिहरुको­र­•तोप­[?]
30को­•तायदात­चह्राइ­पठावनु­भनि­हुकुम­भयाका­अर्थ­•कम्पनिका­•कार्षानामा­•इ­सव­वात[?]­[?]­
31वहुतै­तलास­गर्दा­एक­किताव­हात­लाग्याको­छ­[?]­फौजका­[?][?]रुको­तपसिल­लेष्याको­छ­•तर्जुमा­
32गर्न­लाइराष्याको­छ­•अरुको­पनि­अभिन्तर­तलास­गर्दैछु­•उस्का­हाल­सुरत्को­विन्ति­पछि­चह्राइ­पठाउँ
33ला­•तर्जुमा­गर्दा­•अंरेजि­•हिन्दुस्तानि­जान्न्या­•मानिस­चाहिन्छ­अघि­[?]याको­दर्माहा­अंरेजि­लेषपढ­
34गर्न्याको­•मिल्दो­रहेछ­•अव­अंरेजि­•लेषपढ­गर्न्याको­दर्माहा­नाएवलाइ­षापिन­जादा­•विना­हुकुम­•अ
35र्को­मानिस­राषन­सकियाको­छैन­•नाएव­•मदनमोहन­तिवारि­•[?]दिन्मा­कैल्हेकाहि­आउँथ्या­
36विन्ति­चह्राइ­पठायाको­हो­•आजकाल­चौथा­प्रहर्मा­१­फेर­•आउछन­•घरि­२­घरि­रहन्छन्­•घरि­२­
37घरिमा­तर्जुमा­होइ­सकतैन­•अंरेजिमा­न[?]­जेविसिसम्मको­सामरथ­उन्मा­छ­•तर्जुमा­उ[?]­
38हाथ­होइ­पनि­सकतैन­१­वंगालि­•अंरेजि­वेस­जान्न्यालाइ­•लगाइराष्याको­छ­•उसित­अंरेजिको­
39वंला­भाषामा­वुझि­•हाम्रा­वोलिमा­•म­तर्जुमा­गर्न­लाउछु­•आफ्‌ना­वुद्धि­•पौरुषले­•पुगिआया
40सम्म­•हुकुम­भयाका­काजमा­•मिहिनत­गर्न्या­सेवकको­धर्म­हो­•अन्जाम­•षामीदका­अककल
41ले­हुन्छ­•कल्कत्ता­सहर­•र­•ताहाको­किल्ला­हवेलि­कस्ता­छन्­•नक्सा­उतारि­पठावनु­[?][?]
42याका­अर्थ­•गवर्नर­वसन्या­घर्को­र­•अंरेज­[?]चौरंगि­स[?]­[?]सका[?]हरुका­तसविर­२३­
43छुवा­वाजारवाट­
चितपुर­जान्या­सडकमाका­तसविर­६­लि­राष्याका­छन्­•अरुका­तलासमा­छु­•पा
44यासम्म­षरिद­गरुला­•कल्कत्ता­सवै­सहर­•र­•किल्लाको­नक्सा­•छापा[?]­अंरेजि­हरफमा­पाइन्छ­
45नक्सा­साना­कागजमा­हुनाले­•हाम्रा­अक्षर­लेषदा­नअटाउन्या­हुँदा­•नक्सा­लेषन्या­कालिगर
46सित­ठेकाना­गर्दा­•११२­रुपैयामा­•ठेका­•भयो­नक्सा­लेषन्या­[?]जुरि­१००­रुपैया­नक्सा
47को­•वेलाइति­कागज­३­फर्दको­दाम­१२­रुपैया­•वन्दुकमा­लाउन्या­कालापत्थर­चिन्हि­•ञाहा­
48पाहाडमा­षोजि­निकालन­सकन्या­•मानिस­[?]स­गरि­पठाव[?]­[?]­हुकुम­भयाका­अर्थ­हिन्दुस्ता
49नि­•वंगालिहरुमा­•हामि­सकौँला­भन्न्या­•कोइ­फेला­पर्दैनन्­•अंरेज­•फरासिसका­•ठिमाहाहरुमा­
50पाइन्छन्­•हजुरमा­नवक्साइ­ईनसित­कुराकहानि­•गर्न­सक्याको­छैन­•हुकुम­आया­•एस­कामका­
51मानिस­•फलामका­तोप­•वम्­•ढालि­तुर्फान­धुवाका­कलले­गर्न­सकन्न्या­•अंरेजि­दस्तुर[?]­•[?]
52ल्लाहरु­वनाउनाको­काम­जान्न्या­•वन्दुकका­[?]­चिन्न्या­वनाउन­जान्न्या­अंरेज­फरासिसवाट­
53उन्का­ठिमाहाहरुमा­पाइन्छन्­•इन्हेरुमा­•षोजेर­पठाउन्या­हो­कि­•कसो­हो­•इत्तलाए­निमीत्त­•अ
54र्जि­विन्ति­चह्राइ­पठायाको­छ­जो­हुकुम्­•इति­सम्वत­१८९४­साल­•मिति­मार्गसीर्ष­सुदि­११­
55रोज­६­मोकाम्­कल्कत्ता­वडि­वाजार­दर्माहट्टा­शुभम्­¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯
56सेवक­लोकरमणोपाध्याय[?]­[?]दोक्तः­पुरा
57णोक्तः­सहश्रकोटि­सुभाशीर्वाद­शुभम्­

Translation

[1r]

Number 4711

Arjī

Uprānta: in accordance with the orders coming from the buḍhā gurujyu2 , asking: “How great is the areal extent of the English territory? Draw and send a map of the borders in [all] four directions. Which [countries] does it share borders with? How many forts are there in all? Where are they situated? How many large ones are there, and how many small ones? How many ammunition depots are there? Where are they situated? How many large ones are there, and how many small ones? Where are the magazines, and how many? How large is the army? At what places is it present, and how great its numbers [in each place]? How many are white [soldiers], regular soldiers, cavalry and turbaned [soldiers]? How much ammunition is there, and where? How is the city of Calcutta (text: Kalkattā), including its forts and palaces, [laid out]? Draw and send a map of it. Here in the hills people who can recognize the flint to go with guns …3 ,” regarding the order concerning an areal measurement of the English territory, except for the area in the possession of the emperor of Hindustan, Nepal and Punjab (text: Panjāpa), some are under true English occupation and some are under English dependencies. The countries of kings, petty kings and regents (navāba) which have become English dependencies (tāve) are situated in between countries which are under true English occupation, so that they share borders with them.

Regarding the order to send a map with the borders drawn in [all] four directions, drawing a map with borders in [all] four directions will require drawing a map of all of Hindustan. Persons who know how to draw maps say, when asked, that a map of Hindustan will not cost less than two hundred rupees. The map would feature English letters, and we ourselves would have to ask [someone else] to write it in the Hindi script4 . That is why instead of asking someone to draw the map, I have bought a map of Hindustan printed in English and Persian letters from an English shop for 80 rupees.

Regarding the question about borders shared [by English territory] with other countries: in the north-west a border is shared with the Sikhs’ country. In the west, south-west and south there is the sea. Towards the south-east and east a border is shared with the territory of Burma (text: Barmā). Towards the north-east a border is shared with Bhoṭa (i.e. Tibet). Towards the north a border is shared with Nepal.

Regarding the question about the total number of forts and their locations and sizes: the large forts built by the English are two in number. One fort, named Fort William, is in Calcutta, and one fort, named Fort Saint George, is in Madras (text: Manarāja). Among the forts [which were built] at the time of Hindustani [rulers] and which are now under the dependency of the Government of Calcutta, the fort of Carnāraghaḍha5 , the fort of Prayāga and the fort of Āgarā are still manned. In these forts, there are white troops and black regular soldiers, a cannon armory, an ammunition depot and magazines. Besides these three forts, which were built at the time of Hindustani [rulers], within the province of Calcutta other forts do not even have [troops? walls?]6 . The forts are in ruins and deserted. No details have been written about these forts in English documents here, so where they are situated and how many they are in number—such information is not found. Where the old forts of the Bombay (text: Bambai) and Madras provinces are situated and how many there are—such information has not been found yet. I am engaged in further investigations and will immediately send information as soon as I get any.

Regarding the order to send information on the number of ammunition depots, magazines, white British and regular Indian soldiers, cavalry, turbaned soldiers and cannons ...7 : while intensively searching for a book [containing such information] in Company factories I found a book in which a list of ...8 of troops is written. I have let it be translated. I am searching out other inner [information] too. Later I will send [a letter] describing the state of these affairs.

To translate [these documents] a person who knows both English and Hindustani is needed. Earlier a salary of ...9 was arranged for someone who did [only] reading and writing English. Now the salary for the reader and writer of English is supplementing [that of] the assistant (nāyaba), but without permission I am unable to appoint another person. I informed [you] that the assistant, Madanamohana Tevarī, ...10 used to come only occasionally during the day. Nowadays he comes once a day during the fourth prahara. He stays for one or two ghaḍīs, but the translations cannot be completed within one or two ghaḍīs. He has the ability up to ABC (jevisi)11 in copying English [documents]; he is not up to the translation job. One Bengali who knows English very well has been appointed [to do that job]. I understand the English [documents] from him in Bengali and have it translated into our language. The duty of a servant is to strive to accomplish ordered tasks to the best of his knowledge and strength; the result turns out well thanks to the ingenuity of the master.

Regarding the order to send a drawn map of Calcutta city, its forts and palaces: I have with me 23 pictures of the house in which the Governor lives12 ...13 and English ...14 Cauraṃgi Road and 6 pictures of the road which goes from the Machuvā Bājāra to Chitpur. I am in search of more. I will buy them for as long as I keep finding any. A map of the whole of Calcutta city including its forts is found in printed form with English lettering. The map is on a small sheet of paper, so our written lettering cannot fit [over it]. I have reached an agreement with the mapmaker, and a contract has been made for 112 rupees. The fee for mapmaking …15 is 100 rupees and three sheets of British map paper cost 12 rupees.

Regarding the order to send men who can recognize and find flint here in the hills to go with gun: Among the Hindustanis and Bengalis no one has been found who says that he can do the task. Some have been found among English and French (pharāsisa) half-breeds. Without informing you, I am not able to talk with them [about the matter]. If I get the order, the man for that job who can make cannons, bombs, shields and turbines (turphāna) with the smoke-producing (i.e., steam) machines, men who know how to build English-style forts and who can recognize and refine the flint for guns can be found among the English and French half-breeds. In order to know whether from these men [someone] should be searched out and sent, I have sent this petition to you for your notice. [I will do] whatever you order.

Friday, the 11th of the bright fortnight of Mārgaśīrṣa in the [Vikrama] era year 1894 (1837 CE). Residence: Baḍi Bājāra, Darmāhaṭṭā, Calcutta. Auspiciousness.

A thousand crores of auspicious blessings from [your] servant Lokaramaṇa Upādhyāya as uttered in the Vedas and Purāṇas. Auspiciousness.


Commentary

This letter stands out among Lokaramaṇa Upādhyāya's reports from Calcutta recorded in NGMPP's DNA series, and not only by reason of its length. It reveals that Lokaramaṇa Upādhyāya served not only as a diplomat and informant for political and ceremonial matters, but transmitted also military and strategic knowledge to the Nepalese Government—which comes close to espionage. Furthermore, the document provides counterevidence to B. Kölver's assertion that Nepal's probing of culturally foreign practices adhered to the principles of ritualism (Kölver 1986: 31). According to Kölver, when trying to gain mastery of superior Western technologies and principles of organization, Nepalese elites did not undertake an analysis to determine the decisive details on which the efficacy of any specific technology rested, but rather aimed at an imitation of the process as a whole, oblivious of its particulars. The present report, however, betrays no such "ritualism" at all, but rather a specific and secular approach to understanding British military power based on troop strength, the location of defences, the amount of ammunition and the geographical conditions.


Notes

1. An addition by a second hand in the original, representing the manuscript number assigned by the National Archives Nepal. []

2. The person in question here probably is Raṅganātha Pauḍyāla who may have held the post of mukhtiyāra at that time (cf. Pauḍela VS 2072: 5). []

3. There is a lacuna in the original. []

4. Probably Devanagari script. []

5. Probably Chunar Fort in Mirzapur. []

6. There is a lacuna in the original. []

7. There is a lacuna in the original []

8. There is a lacuna in the original. []

9. There is a lacuna in the original. []

10. There is a lacuna in the original. []

11. Probably the person in question was only able to recognize the English alphabet but had no command of the language. []

12. Probably the Government House in Calcutta, currently known as Raj Bhavan. []

13. There is a lacuna in the original. []

14. There is a lacuna in the original. []

15. There is a lacuna in the original. []