A rare and substantial collection of manuscripts concerning George Seton-Karr (1818-1862) who was the Political Agent, Magistrate, and Collector of the Southern Maratha Confederacy, Bombay Presidency. Importantly, most concern the 1857-58 mutiny.
General Seton-Karr “knew that some of the native Chiefs were disaffected, and that few, if any, were really friendly; he knew that he could not expect much aid from without and must rely on his own resources. He never lost heart. He managed by personal influence to keep the Chiefs quiet, and apparently, at all events, on the side of Government; he frustrated the endeavours of the mutinous regiments; and by judicious administration kept the country quiet during the most critical period” (Seton-Karr).
The sections are as follows:
1. “Remarks on the Bombay Press March, 1854.”
Here Seton-Karr attacks the liberties of the Bombay press that he believes have dangerously influenced public opinion, and specifically has diminished the esteem in which East India Company employees are held by Indians.
2. No. 6 of 1858. “Secret Despatch” From Assistant Political Agent’s Office Jumkhundee, 5th April, 1858 to G.B. Seton-Karr.
Seton-Karr reports in considerable detail on “endeavours to acertain the real quantity of warlike store” at the Fort. The document describes the removal from power of the suspected dissident Chief after evidence of his support for potential rebellion follows various deceits, efforts to strengthen his fort, repairs to the canons and conceal munitions and treasure.
“On that same afternoon I recovered all but 70 of the 3,357 ball cartridges - this and the fact of my having burst 16 of the Chiefs guns at Moodhole, sent 2 big ones into Kalludgee, and left only 3 in the fort (as far as I was aware) made me feel tolerably confident that no person would be rash enough to offer resistance when the force actually arrived at Jumkhundee, and so it happened that Lieut Colonel Malcolm took quiet possession of the fort.”
3. No. 127 of 1858. “Secret Despatch” From G.B. Seton-Karr to H.L. Anderson Esq. Secretary to Government. 24th April, 1858.
This includes letters and attachments detailing Manson’s activities in Jumkhundee between February and April 1858, examining the possible guilt of the Chief in munitions plots and discussing what inferences may be drawn by the secret production of munitions.
4. “Translation of a deposition given on solemn affirmation before C.J. Manson Esquire Assistant Political Agent.”
An important collection of the original translated transcription of the depositions by Indian subjects, plus Seton-Karr’s ten-page summary“the attempt to implicate the Chief of Jumkhundee as having been involved in mutinous works, and possibly rebellion by his repairs to the Fort and canon, and production of canon balls, powder and cartridges.“ The depositions were taken from the Overseer of Works, several muslim Sepoys, masons and craftsmen, a guide, merchant, the chief’s personal accountant, and the Indian manufacturer of gunpowder and fireworks.
5. Rough notes of a letter by Seton-Karr, as magistrate of Belgaum to Brigadier-General Jacob. 5 November, 1858.
Seton-Karr confirms his permission for the Chief to “supply some additional forces”, “to entertain a sufficient number of Soawars and Sepoys to preserve order in the town and territory of Jumkhundee.”
Seton-Karr, W., A Short Account of Events during the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857-8 in the districts of Belgaum … (Printed for Private Circulation, 1894), p.16.
