The Generals

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 manner and quickly attempted to gloss over it.

‘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 Once that has been achieved most of the British forces will be withdrawn.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.’

‘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 announced their arrival Arthur had them admitted to his office, bowing his head respectfully to each in turn.

‘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