Left Agra early in March for his health, and went to Delhi. Lived at Huzaree-Goolzara (Cazee Houz Ka Mohulla), near the Ajmeerie Gate. Was caught at Delhi by the outbreak, and obliged to stay. When the cannonading became severe he left it for the Chawara Mohulla behind the great Mosque. Stayed there the rest of the time with Kunheya Lall.
          The city was perfectly quiet and unconscious of the coming commotion till nine o'clock on Monday the 11th May. We knew that there had been discontent and burning of bungalows at Umballa, but we had no conception that any outbreak would take place at Meerut. Rode out on horseback as usual in the morning,—all was as usual.
          A little after nine there was a rush of people from the City. This I observed three times. The third rush was about ten. I had fancied it was the escape of some elephant, etc.; but the third time I inquired what it was, and they replied that there was fighting behind them. Up to that moment I had no idea anything unusual was going on.
          About half-past ten a great crowd was seen moving towards the place where I lived. In front of it was a Gentlemen galloping rapidly along, waving a naked sword. He was going as from the Fort or Mosque in the direction of the Ajmeerie gate, which had been shut by the Sepoys. They opened it for him and he rode out. It was said to be Sir T. Metcalfe. A little after, two Sowars, one with a pistol and torn clothes, the other with a spear, rode up inquiring where the Gentleman had gone; and they pursued after him.
          Afterwards, crowds upon crowds of Sowars, Sepoys, and Citizens, passed by. The people were in consternation,—the shops shut. The Sepoys and Cavalry men were searching for the English as their victims.
          Subsequently I heard that the cavalry had first crossed the bridge, and plundered the Toll-Box there. Then they came to the Palace, and demanded admission to the King, who hastily summoned the Killadar, Captain Douglass. Captain Douglass sent to say he was undressed, but the King desired him to come quickly as he was, so he went. Meanwhile the Calvary men were warned off from the apartment where the King was,—it being private;—but they didn't mind the remonstrance of the Guards, and forced their way in.
          The cavalry on their arrival opposite the Palace first killed Chimman Lall, the Christian Sub-Assistant Surgeon. Then they met four Gentlemen in Buggies, and shot them; one of their own number (Narain Singh) being killed. Mr. Fraser at that moment arrived at the gate, went in, tried to shut the gate, but from the crowd he could not succeed. He reached the stairs, but was killed there after defending himself with his pistol and gun. He had called on the King to bring out his guns.
          Douglas was upstairs. He called ahsun-oolla Khan Hakeem to take care of the ladies; and he placed them in a position of safety. They were all killed. 
          Then the whole City was in an uproar,—shops closed, fighting, etc.
          About twelve the Rebels put the King on the throne, and they led Mirza Moghul, his son, through the City to restore confidence.
          The King told the Rebels he was a mere Pensioner, couldn't help them in any way, or pay them. They replied that he was not to mind; they didn't want pay, etc. 
          When the tumult was first heard, the Commanding Officer ordered out the Regiment, but when they were drawn up some of the rebel cavalry appeared. The Regiments were desired to fire on them. They fired, but high. An Officer fired a pistol at a cavalry man, but was killed in the scuffle. Then the Regiments told their Officers to go. All who went away got off, those who made any opposition were seized of killed.
          The Officers of the Main Guard were said to be blown from guns by the troops.
          About 4 p.m. the magazine was blown up. Five or six hundred men were killed or wounded. At night the bungalows were burnt.
          Tuesday the 12th the Railway Bungalow was burned.
          On that day a "Pultun" came, and was quartered at the Ajmeerie Durwaza, at the Madrassa (College) inside it. It was one of the Delhi "pultuns." Next day it was changed for another "Pultun." At the Delhi Durwaza the "Alexander Pultun" was quartered.[1]
          Then Companies began to come in from Coel, Mynpoorie, etc. The Bazaars were sometimes shut, sometimes open. They were sometimes plundered on the imputation of harbouring English officers. All such Officers, Half-castes, etc., were murdered. Hoosen Bukhsh, Punjaubee Saudagur (Merchant), was suspected and plundered.
          It was noised abroad that an Officer was concealed in the Seeta Ram Bazaar, and search was made; he put on the clothes of a Cahmerie Brahmin and walked forth. He came in the direction where I was, and I saw him, a fine noble-looking fellow. He was suspected and challenged. The Sepoys pressed him to disclose the names of the persons who have concealed him, but he bravely refused, saying, "Kill me if you like; I am not a Company's Officer, I am in the service of Jheend,—shoot me if you like,—ask Rummun." His bearing excited admiration. They shot him.
          Next day they attacked Rummun (Mohun Lall), and plundered his house. He was only saved by the son of Kalu Sahib (Nizam Ooddeen) and his carter, who protested he was no traitor, but a good converted Hindoo. When Wullee Dad Khan went to Malagurh, Mohun Lall went with him. He is said to be friendly to the English.
          Wullee Dad Khan came to the King to get a Soobah (estate), and he returned to malagurh with the appointment. He has been guilty of the greatest treachery of all against the British Government—having a Jagheer, etc.
          When tidings came of an English force being at Ghazeeabad, troops went out from Delhi to oppose them. The second time, they were accompanied by Abu Bekr, the King's son, Captain of the Cavalry.
          They were completely beaten, and Delhi was then in such a fright that if the Europeans had come upon the City then, it could not have offered any resistance.
          After ttat the Europeans came and encamped on the heights outside Delhi, and there was fighting every two or three days. Then the shells began to fall thick in the City, and the distress has been indescribable. It is the greatest mercy I escaped.
          The Delhi troops are ordinarily pitched from the old Killa towards Bullubgruh to the city; and from the Delhi to the Ajmere Gate. The wounded were at first put in our Dispensary, then in any large house they came across;—for any such purpose they turned the occupants unceremoniously out.
          The Meerut and Delhi troops are in the Fort and Palace. There is no room for any others there.
          There was a Guard of Sepoys over the alley in which I lived. I got off with the greatest difficulty. I saw Elahee Buksh, the present Jhujjur Vakeel, at Fureedabad. He said he had left with permission, and sick,—he is now better. He had been very ill.
          At three places on the road here the Zemindars deserve credit for their good arrangement. Bunchars (2 coss beyond Hodul), Kosee(though the Zemindars there take money for their protection), and at Chatta.
          The Sepoys have a great jealousy of anyone who is suspected of in any way assisting the English.
          They plunder the Bazaars, but never without some pretext of that nature. Thus with Alopee Pershad and Ror Mull Khutrees. A Cafila was going to Benares; one of the number, Bishan Pershad, an old Tahseeldar of ours, was seized in it, and certificates in English found on him. He appealed to Alopee Pershad; and without inquiry they forthwith proceeded to Alopee Pershad, and plundered him and some twenty others in the same neighbourhood.
          Only a small part of Delhi is actively disaffected to the English. But it is now full of bad and reckless characters who have flocked to it from without.
          Bukht Khan is now the leader; he was in Artillery. Was originally in Delhi  is actively disaffected to the English. But it is now full of bad and reckless characters who have flocked to it from without.
          Bukht Khan is now the leader; he was in the Artillery. Was originally in Delhi. Transferred some time ago to Bareilly, and came back in command of the Mutinous troops.
          Before he came, each Soobadahdar managed his own Regiment. But after his arival the King's order was to follow his command. But they disliked his interference, and used to obey him only when ordered to attack. They were subsequently, on the Nusseerabad battalion joining, divided into four divisions. First Nusseerabad, second bareilly, and two others. The Nemmuch battalion formed a fifth.
          Three days before the  Bacr-Eed festival, Bukht Khan went  to the King, and told him it would be advisable to prohibit the Moslems from killing cows. He  produced a Futwa. Proclamation was made accordingly. The Sepoys were, besides, engaged in fighting on the Eed and for two days before, and were wearied out, so the Festival passed off quietly.
          Six butchers were arrested,—they were carrying a Guhwara of funeral bier to the burial-ground. It was examined, and butcher's meat found in it, which it was supposed they were taking to our camp. The Sepoys killed five, and one fled. It was after this that cow killing was prohibited.
          Two Beheesties were killed for being on the road to our camp with their mussuks filled with sugar.
          The King's sons were originally appointed nominally to the command of Regiments.
          The King himself has several times had altercations with the Rebels, saying that he had not called them,—that he had no territory, no money, etc., for them—and that he had told them this from the first; and has protested that they should get him out of his troubles, take him to the Kootub, take him to Agra, anywhere; upon which the Rebels cast themselves at the King's feet, declaring themselves his slaves.
          I have no doubt (says Kashee Pershad) that the original real desire of the King was a generally rumoured in the City, and as he is said to have plainly told the rebels, that he wished to have nothing to do with them. This was his feeling at first; but it is impossible to say whether ambition, and desire of regaining a position or real power for his Family, may not have led to a change, and a real siding with the Rebels afterwards.
          The King keeps the Shahzadas strictly in order. Abu Bekr went, in connection with some female intrigue, to a house, and plundered the adjoining residence to the Cazee's son, Abdool Huk. On this being reported to the King, he directed the Cotowal to apprehend and forward to him any of his sons who committed acts of violence, and to punish himself any of the subalterns similarly apprehended. He reduced Abu Bekr from his command.
          The money brought in by the Regiments and given to the King was expended three weeks ago. The King kept it separate, and devoted it solely to their use and the purchase of ammunition. The King touched none of this for his own use; he borrowed for himself from the City bankers. At first the Regiments used to give a portion of their plundered treasure to the King as "Nuzerana." The remainder was kept each by the Regiment which brought it.
          Since the Bareilly Regiment came no money has been given to the King. The Bareilly men paid themselves six months' pay, and kept the rest for themselves. Their example has been followed by all subsequent arrivals.
          They make up gunpowder, having at the manufactory enough materials at a time for a single manufacture,—perhaps to last for three or four days at the Works. It is probably only this amount that was lately blown up. The main stores of material are in the Fort.
          Besides the Sowars from Jhujjur originally in Delhi, the Nawab on being summoned, sent some 150 more. They do nothing but simply attend. They do not fight. The Nawab excused himself from attending on the King. Patoudee has helped them with "russud" (supplies) on a party going there. The Ballubgurh villages help with "russud," but not the Rajah. Correspondence was intercepted between the Rajah and us, but the Rebels are not greatly incensed with him. Bahadurgurh and the other petty States are too weak to do anything.
          The whole country from this towards Pulwul is quite free, and might, he thinks, be occupied by us with the smallest force. Kashee Pershad says he has had frequent opportunities of conversing with the Sepoys and others. He never could get from them any other cause of discontent than the "Cartooch" (Cartridges). Nor could he hear of any correspondence between the Rebels and the King. His impression is that the King and the whole City were taken by surprise. 
 

[*] This deposition derives from Sir William Muir's Agra Correspondence during the Mutiny (Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 38 George Street, 1898), 73-82.

[1] Author's note: "Probably Sikunderka Pultun."