The Generals

While Henry had a bath and changed into some fresh clothes, Arthur sent word of his arrival to General Harris, still encamped to the west of the city, and as daylight faded the three men met on a terrace overlooking the gardens. After admiring the view as the sky turned a brilliant fiery red, they sat at the table Arthur had prepared for the meeting and Henry turned immediately to the notebook he had brought with him.

‘I’m sure you are aware how delighted the Governor General was to hear that the campaign had been concluded quickly and with minimal losses. He asked me to extend his personal gratitiude to you, General Harris.’

Harris bowed his head in polite acknowledgement. ‘Most kind, I’m sure. But there is still some ground to cover, I’m afraid.’

‘Oh?’

‘Not all of Tipoo’s commanders have yet surrendered to us. Some are still at large, and have fallen in with local groups of bandits. It will take some time to stamp them out.’

Henry frowned. ‘Will that entail keeping your army in Mysore? I’m sure you appreciate that John Company is keeping a close eye on the cost of this campaign, and will not be pleased to hear that there will be a delay in dispersing your forces.’

‘It can’t be helped,’ Harris replied evenly. ‘War is an expensive business.We will need to maintain a force in Mysore sufficient to crush the rebels. And one in particular.’

Henry raised an eyebrow as he held his pen poised above a fresh page of his notebook.

‘The man’s called Dhoondiah Waugh,’ Arthur explained. ‘He was one of Tipoo’s prisoners, but he escaped during the attack on the city. Since then he has been enlisting the support of other prisoners, and those who used to fight for Tipoo. So far he has contented himself with brigandage. But his following seems to be growing by the day, and the man has taken to calling himself the King of Two Worlds.’

‘Sounds like a modest, unassuming fellow. What do you propose to do about him, Arthur?’

‘Me? Surely this is a matter for General Harris?’

Henry could not help smiling slightly. ‘I should have told you before, but it seemed only decent to raise the matter once General Harris was with us.’

‘What matter?’ Arthur said irritably. ‘Speak plainly.’

‘Very well. Richard is minded to confirm your appointment as Governor General of Mysore on a permanent basis. That is, if General Harris has no objections.’ He turned to Harris with a questioning look.

‘Objections? No, none whatsoever. Colonel Wellesley has performed his temporary duties with commendable efficiency. The city is back under control, the markets have reopened and he has established good working relations with the local officials. You have my full support for his appointment.’

‘Good!’ Henry nodded with some relief, and Arthur sensed at once that the situation could have been very tricky if Harris had taken any exception to the appointment.‘Then it merely remains to set out the scope of his authority.’ He flicked back a few pages in his notebook and scanned some written comments. ‘Richard has decided that the new Governor of Mysore should have supreme political power in Mysore, and to have command of all troops serving between the western and eastern ghats.’ Henry glanced up at Harris. ‘That is to say, once you have led the army back across the border to Vellore. Obviously Richard does not want to cause any difficulties over protocol.’

‘Obviously,’ Harris replied. ‘And what kind of force does your brother propose to leave here in Mysore?’

‘Given the need to clear out the remaining nests of rebellion, and that fellow . . . what was his name again?’

‘Dhoondiah Waugh,’ Arthur answered patiently.

‘Of course.’The pen dipped into his inkwell and scratched out a brief note. ‘Now, as I was saying, the force will need to be sufficient for the job. According to the advice Richard sought in Madras, two regiments of King’s cavalry, another two of the Company’s native cavalry, and three battalions of King’s infantry and six of the Company’s should suffice. In addition to a decent complement of artillery, of course.’ Henry looked up innocently. ‘That should be sufficient, wouldn’t you say, General?’

‘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