The Kanpur Mosque Incident of 1913: The North Indian Muslim Press and Its Reaction to Community Crisis

Much regret to report occurrence of serious riot at Cawnpore this forenoon. Information just reached me in the following telegram from the Commissioner. Begins. Mass meeting of Muhammadans held at Eedgah this morning. On conclusion marched with black flags flying to mosque and commenced rebuilding demolished portion and throwing stones at kotwal and other police present. Magistrate and Superintendent of Police arrived about half past ten with police force and were met by volleys of stones and brickbats. Magistrate ordered police to fire. Failing to prevent mob advancing, Superintendent, Police and kotwal led charge of mounted police and forced rioters back. Armed police then cleared surroundings of mosque. All quiet before noon. Probably between twenty and thirty rioters killed and wounded. Police casualities one killed, several wounded. Ends. I had arranged with representative Muhammadans to receive deputation which would represent their grievances in the matter of the mosque. Date fixed was 9th August at Cawnpore, and I had undertaken to meet the deputation at the mosque and examine it personally. The lamentable occurrence by which ignorant mob appear to have taken law into their own hands with result of serious loss of life was apparently quite unforeseen by local officers as I had had no intimation of serious excitement. It is impossible to absolve outside agitators of responsibility for this needless bloodshed. I am starting for Cawnpore as soon as I can get a train and will report to His Excellency from there.'