The Generals

‘That has been noticed.’ Purneah smiled.

‘I’m sure. But that must and will change now that the administration of India is conducted by the British government and not the Company. Corruption and lawlessness will no longer be tolerated. That applies to Europeans as much as the natives of this continent. However, if this new order is to be made to work your people need to embrace the same values.’ Arthur looked at Purneah earnestly. ‘That is what I ask of you, and what you must ask of the people you appoint to serve in the government of Mysore.’

‘I see,’ Purneah said doubtfully.‘I will do all that I can to work successfully with you, sahib, but the people will need proof that you really mean what you say about this new order.’

‘Very well, then you shall have it,’ Arthur replied, then turned to Henry. ‘I assume that I will have the full backing of the Governor General with regard to any measures I take in this respect?’

‘Yes,’ Henry said solemnly. ‘Richard made that quite clear when he briefed me before I left Madras.’

Arthur nodded with satisfaction.

Once Henry had gathered enough information to present a detailed report on the situation in Mysore he returned to Madras to present his findings to Richard. Shortly afterwards General Harris re-formed his army, less the contingent left behind in Seringapatam, and with the host of camp followers retraced his steps to Vellore. The moment he quit the borders of Mysore, Arthur assumed full military and political authority in the new province. His first priority was to win the trust of Purneah and the people of Seringapatam, and not long after his appointment the opportunity arose.

From the outset, Arthur made it clear to his officers and officials of the Company that there had been too many beatings of Indians on the flimsiest of pretexts. He had witnessed Europeans thrashing water-carriers for being too slow in their duties, or even for failing to understand an instruction.They had been beaten with a wanton cruelty that would not have been tolerated if it had been given to a dumb animal back in England. In future, Arthur ordered, all such beatings would result in disciplinary action and the victims would be paid damages. His decree was met by vocal resentment amongst the officers of the Company battalions, who had grown accustomed to casual brutality after long years of service in India. Then, one day, Purneah came to the Dowlut Baugh in the company of a native woman. As soon as Fitzroy a

‘How may I help?’

Purneah indicated the woman. ‘Sahib, this is the widow of Basur, a goldsmith who was one of General Harris’s camp followers. He died of his injuries last month. She wants justice.’

‘Injuries?’ Arthur raised his eyebrows.

‘He was attacked by a customer for failing to deliver a commissioned piece on time,’ Purneah explained. ‘He had been ill, and could not work for several days.When he returned to his workshop, the English officer who had paid for the piece was there. He was angry, very angry, sahib, and picked up one of Basur’s tools - a mallet - and began to beat him with it. Only when Basur was insensible did the man stop and leave the workshop.’ He nodded to the woman.‘His wife found him there when he did not return home at the end of the day. There was not much that could be done for him and he died a few days later.’

Arthur felt sick, before he felt fury at the officer who had done this. He called out for Fitzroy and when his aide entered the office, he instructed him to take notes, before turning his attention back to Purneah.

‘What is the name of this officer?’

‘Lieutenant William Dodd, of the East India Company, sahib.’

Arthur vaguely recalled the name, but could not put a face to him. He spoke to the woman. ‘Do you know which battalion Lieutenant Dodd belonged to?’

She glanced up quickly, momentarily surprised to be addressed in her own tongue by a white man, then her gaze dropped again and her hands picked at the folds of her sari as she replied. ‘Yes, sahib. After the attack I complained to the colonel. He said he would investigate. Then, two days ago, I heard that Dodd sahib had had his pay suspended for six months.’ She looked up again, and Arthur saw that tears were flowing down her cheeks. Her lips trembled as she continued. ‘Six months pay, sahib, that is all Basur’s life was worth . . . Now I have no husband; the children have no father. We want justice,’ she concluded defiantly.

‘I understand.’ Arthur nodded, rising to his feet. ‘And I thank you for bringing this to my attention.You have my word that it will be dealt with at once.’

His guests stood up and Purneah spoke softly to the woman. She nodded and bowed to Arthur and turned and walked out of the office. When the door had closed behind her Purneah fixed Arthur with a penetrating stare. ‘Sahib, this is a most serious situation.Word of this killing has filled the markets and streets of the city. The people are watching and waiting to see how much weight the promises of Wellesley sahib carry.’

‘I am aware of the gravity of the offence,’ Arthur replied formally. ‘And it will be dealt with according to the law.’

Purneah gazed at him a moment, before bowing and leaving the office.

Arthur turned to his aide. ‘Find out which battalion Dodd is in, and then I want to see both him and his colonel, at once.’

It was late in the evening before Fitzroy returned to the Dowlut Baugh with the two Company officers. Arthur was watching the gravel drive from his office window and saw them approaching the palace. Several hours had passed since he summoned them and the initial anger he had felt had given way to a cold, calm determination to make this man Dodd pay for his crime. He returned to his desk and waited until the sound of boots echoed down the corridor outside his office. They stopped and at once there was a rap on the door.

‘Come!’

Fitzroy led the way, stood aside to let the officers pass, closed the door behind them, and then took his place at the smaller desk to the side of the office to take notes. Arthur did not speak for a moment as he stared at the two Company officers. The colonel he already knew: Sanderson, who had served over two decades in India, and had eight years of service as a regular back in Britain before that. He was heavily built, with a bright red complexion that told of a fondness for spirits. Beside him stood a younger man, of approximately the same age as Arthur, he guessed. Dodd was tall and slender, with cropped blond hair and brilliant blue eyes. Handsome would be the word for him, Arthur mused. It was clear that he had been drinking as well, and that he was one of those men for whom the only effect of alcohol was to render them bitter and cruel.

‘Fitzroy, where did you find them?’

‘At the Company’s officers’ mess, sir.’

‘So I can see.’Arthur interlaced his fingers on the desk in front of him. ‘Now then, gentlemen, it seems you are both at the heart of a miscarriage of justice.’

‘Miscarriage of justice?’ Sanderson feigned surprise. ‘Sir, I don’t know—’

‘Quiet!’Arthur snapped.‘You will be silent, sir, until I give you leave to speak.’

Sanderson opened his mouth with an angry expression, thought better of it and clamped it shut. Dodd just gave a small bitter smile, that quickly vanished like a wisp of smoke.

‘I was visited today by the dewan, in the company of a woman. She claims that Dodd killed her husband, and that when you were asked to investigate the matter you merely suspended the lieutenant’s pay for six months. Is that true?’

Sanderson shrugged. ‘Yes, sir.’

‘In which case was that suspension based upon finding the lieutenant guilty of the charge?’