The Generals

‘From a military point of view, yes.’

‘Is there any other point of view I should be aware of ?’

‘Only that the command of such a large force would normally be assigned to a general. I can think of one or two men who might feel aggrieved by the appointment of Colonel Wellesley to such a prominent position.’

‘I assume you are referring to General Baird? We had a copy of his official protest before I set off from Madras. He was . . . how shall I put it? Intemperate in his remarks.’

General Harris smiled. ‘I can well imagine. He made his first protest to me in similar terms. I advised him to moderate his opinions, or seriously consider leaving the army.’

‘Did you, by God?’ Henry looked pleasantly surprised. ‘That must have nettled him.’

Harris folded his hands and stared back at Henry.‘Young man, I’ll have you know that I have nothing but admiration for General Baird as a soldier. In that respect he has no peer. But the man is no diplomat, nor a strategist. If he had at least some ability in those skills, I would have no hesitation in supporting his application for the post of Governor of Mysore. Even over your brother.’

‘I see.’ Henry had the grace to blush and continued in a far more respectful tone. ‘I thank you for your candid words, sir.’ He paused a moment, then referred back to his notes. ‘Which leaves the question of the choice of regent for the new Raja.’

‘I believe we have the right man,’ said Arthur. ‘A fellow called Purneah. He’s a man of his word and proved to be an able enough administrator under Tipoo. In my opinion he’s the best choice for the post of dewan.’

Henry frowned. ‘Dewan?’

Arthur smiled faintly. ‘Henry, you are going to have to make greater efforts to learn the local language. Dewan is their term for the principal minister of Mysore.’

‘Ah, a kind of prime minister then?’

‘There, you have it.’ Arthur nodded.

‘When can I meet this man, Purneah?’

‘Tomorrow. I’ve requested the opportunity to address the senior officials and civic leaders of Seringapatam and the surrounding towns - those we hold, at least.’

‘Very well,’ Henry shut his notebook with a quiet snap. ‘Tomorrow, then. And once you’ve spoken, then I have a few words to communicate to them from the Governor General of India.’

‘And what might they be?’

‘You’ll see.’

The next morning the audience chamber of the Dowlut Baugh was filled with the nobles and notables of Mysore.They had been told they were to hear a message from the highest-ranked sahib in India and they attended in their finest clothes. Henry had decided to address them from in front of the throne so that there would be no doubt as to who was the new power in Mysore.The five-year-old Raja was almost invisible as he perched on the throne and already looked thoroughly bored with proceedings.

When the last of the guests had arrived Henry took his place on the dais and waited until the murmuring came to an end. Arthur stood to one side of the throne, in his best uniform, the scarlet and gold braid brilliantly illuminated by a shaft of sunlight streaming in through one of the tall windows that ran along the side of the audience chamber. As he looked over the faces of the men in front of him he could see the anxiety in their expressions, and he could well understand it. They had been freed from a tyrant, but had only the vaguest notions of what British rule would entail. The previous history of the Company’s involvement in India was one of naked exploitation and corruption, and would not inspire confidence in these men. It would be up to Arthur to prove to them the benefits of British rule. A victory had been won on the battlefield, but a much harder fight was about to begin in order to win the loyalty and trust of the natives.

Henry coughed lightly to clear his throat, and began. ‘I know that some of you speak my tongue, but my brother will translate what I have to say into Hindoostani so that there will be no misunderstanding.’ He paused while Arthur passed on his opening comments, then continued. ‘The Governor General of India sends you his greetings, and a promise. That this day marks the birth of a new commonwealth . . . that no nation in this continent, or any other, will ever rival in its greatness . . . He promises an end to corruption and an end to brigandage so that every man, woman and child in Mysore shall be free to travel without hindrance, and without fear.Trade will flourish and there will be peace for all . . .The Governor General pledges his word that the Golden Age of India is about to begin.’

Chapter 56

‘I am honoured, sahib.’ Purneah bowed his head. ‘But why ask me?’

‘For a number of reasons,’ Arthur replied. ‘You have a reputation for honesty, and plenty of administrative experience. You speak many languages fluently.’

‘Not least of all, English,’ Henry added with a smile. ‘And you were a loyal servant of Tipoo.’

Purneah bowed his head for a moment at the memory of his former ruler. ‘Which will make me appear not to be some kind of British placeman, in the eyes of my people.’

‘Precisely,’ said Henry, and turned to Arthur. ‘As bright as a button, just as you said.’

Arthur winced at his brother’s words. From the previous occasions when he had met Purneah he had come to realise the quality of the man, and now was embarrassed by Henry’s gauche ma

‘I would be honoured if you accepted the post of dewan, and worked with me in making Mysore into a peaceful and proud kingdom.’ Arthur leaned forward and looked at the man frankly. ‘Will you accept?’

Purneah’s dark eyes gazed back, and then he nodded. ‘Very well, I will accept. However, I imagine there will be conditions attached to the powers I will have at my disposal.’

‘Naturally,’ replied Henry. ‘We did not fight a war against Tipoo just to have another enemy rise up in his place. As with other territories allied to Britain, you will be required to have a resident here.The man the Governor General has chosen for the post is Barry Close. He’s an old India hand; I’m sure you will have excellent relations with him. In addition, Arthur will be required to remain in Mysore as military governor until the remnants of Tipoo’s warriors are dealt with, and the widespread banditry is suppressed. Once that has been achieved most of the British forces will be withdrawn. Even so, there will need to be a permanent garrison of Company troops in Seringapatam, to ensure the security of Mysore.That means the new Raja will not have need of a standing army. Of course, you will be required to pay for the upkeep of the soldiers.’

‘And who will these soldiers answer to?’

‘The Raja, in the first instance, but the ultimate decision on issues relating to their deployment and use will be a matter for the East India Company.’

‘Ah.’ Purneah smiled. ‘So, in other words, we will bear the costs of our own occupation.’

‘You could express it that way,’ Henry admitted. ‘But the presence of a Company garrison in Mysore will guarantee its security from outside invasion.’

‘As long as there’s a profit in it for the Company.’

Arthur shook his head. ‘That attitude belongs to the past.The British interest in India has reached a stage where we can no longer simply regard this continent as a trading post. We have an obligation to ensure that India is ruled wisely, in the interests of all its peoples. In that way everyone can profit from the arrangement, even the East India Company,’ he added with a wry smile.

‘Such idealism would be welcome,’ Purneah replied, and continued in an ironic tone, ‘and, of course, it would have the additional benefit, for Britain and the East India Company at least, of keeping French interests at bay.’

‘Yes, it would. Let’s not be coy about this. If Britain did not move to establish herself in India, then another European power would step in without hesitation. It is not a choice between independence and submission to Britain, but merely a choice between which power Mysore accepts as its overlord. From that point of view, it is my belief that it is in the best interests of the people of Mysore to bind their future to that of Britain.’ Arthur paused to let his words have their effect, then continued. ‘There is another aspect you need to consider. In the past, I grant that the representatives of the East India Company have not always conducted their business with sufficient rectitude.’