Author: H M L Lawremce
Publisher: Rupa
Year: 2002
Language: English
Pages: 351
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8171676820
Description
This book is a fictional autobiography of an officer in the service of Maharaja Runjeet Singh , the leading Sikh chieftain. This book traces the history of Runjeet Singh reign through the first person account of a European, Colonel Bellasis, who finds himself in the service of the Maharaja.
This book is a fictional autobiography of an officer in the service of Maharaja Runjeet Singh (1780-1839), the leading Sikh chieftain. In 1809, Runjeet Singh made a treaty with the British, by which he agreed not to expand his domain south of the Sutlej River. However, he built up a formidable army with the help of European officer (the narrator in this book is one such officer) and rapidly expanded his holdings to the north and the west. By the time of his death he controlled all of the Punjab as well as Kashmir.
This book traces the history of Runjeet Singh reign through the first person account of a European, Colonel Bellasis, who finds himself in the service of the Maharaja. Although the personal adventures ascribed to Bellasis are purely fictitious yet the story is just a convenient vehicle for conveying to the reader characteristic illustrations of the broader country, its people, its manners, its ruler, and their modes of ruling.
From the eyes of this ‘Wilayati’, who had the chance of observing him from close quarters, we get an objective assessment of Runjeet Singh’s exceptional qualities of military leadership, diplomacy, and administrative skills in welding together a large and united state of Punjab.
Contents
Preface
CHAPTER I
The reader is cautioned not to be too curious
If the fruit be good, it matters little from what tree it has been gathered
A soldier of fortune described
Life and death, or the old and new city
Oriental self-introduction
The road to a monarch’s favor
Roses are not to be gathered without encountering thorns
CHAPTER II
A Favorite has no friends
The road to royal favor is sometimes miry
Be master of yourself, and you will be nobody’s slave
Be chary of your presence, if you would have it prized
The honey of a king’s favor resting on you may be known by the buzzing of flies around
CHAPTER III
Runjit’s verdict on himself
The Lion is the painter this time
Laws are like spiders’ webs, made to catch the weak, and let the strong escape
A digression, showing how to turn harmless zealots into formidable enemies
Some forests produce very indigestible fruit
You cannot open a lock till you apply the right key
CHAPTER IV
This rich man’s wealth is his stronghold
Some hints on the chase, for the gentlemen of Melton Mowbray
Give up a point if you wish to gain it
CHAPTER V
Showing how, while one wound is healing, another may be received
An owre true table
Many are poets, who have never penned their inspiration, and an old woman may talk blank verse
Bellasis applies the sweetener and cement of civilized life, and finds it intelligible even to the Sikhs
CHAPTER VI
A word to the wise
Puss offers a velvet paw
Some account of a misfortune to which all men are, have been, or will be, liable, and therefore of universal interest
A storm gathers
CHAPTER VII
Welcome the coming, speed the parting guest
It is easier to get into a scrape, than out of it
Bellasis confesses himself puzzled, thereby virtually admitting that he is not a hero
CHAPTER VIII
The tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things
Scandal is a dainty dish
Peace has her victories, as well as war
CHAPTER IX
A does of history, which the reader may read or not, as he please
CHAPTER X
The plot thickens
CHAPTER XI
The lion asks help from the mouse, to free him from the net he had got into
None so blind as those that won’t see
As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him, for he refresheth the soul of his masters
CHAPTER XII
Bellasis, giving the fish he is angling for a sudden jerk, breaks the line, and loses the prize.
"The wrath of a king is as messengers of death, but a wise man will pacify it"
CHAPTER XIII
Confidence in an unfaithful man, in time of trouble, is like a broken tooth, and foot out of joint-Solomon
CHAPTER XIV
By means of a certain golden talisman, Bellasis has another peep at what is passing at Raj-ki-kot
He at length enjoys what is commonly said to make amends for parting
That is, people who have never parted say so
CHAPTER XV
The grand event with which this book ought properly to terminate
Steel is a better metal than gold
A modern Agesilaus
CHAPTER XVI
Bellasis feels that his head is still in the lion’s jaws
Some hints for the people called Christians
CHAPTER XVII
Monarchs seldom sue in vain
Bellasis get a roving commission
One half of the world know not how the other half live
The Bhoria’s tale
CHAPTER XVIII
Bellasis turns over some more leaves in the volume of human life; ventures to prose a little; draws a picture that some will think unnatural
Prosperity does not always contribute to happiness
CHAPTER XIX
Bellasis takes the public into his confidence, and condescends to reason with that mysterious personage
Hints on pathognomy, or the language of signs
CHAPTER XX
The lamp is extinguished
Conclusion