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From A Maharaja, To A Tsar
The WSN will bring to its readers attention
key documents from time to time from Sikh history in order to
trigger thought processes and debate, and also to acquaint our
younger readers with the monumental achievements or blunders of the
past. Revisiting such documents helps us in re-engaging with
historical processes. We herewith present the letter of Maharaja
Duleep Singh to the Emperor of Russia, dated May 10, 1887, and leave
you to debate the political mind and maturity of the man whose mere
bust led to so much hype in the media when it was being auctioned.
The letter’s source is its photocopy preserved in the National
Archives of India, New Delhi. – Editor
 “Before proceeding to lay before the
Imperial Government the humble prayer both of the Princes and People
of India for deliverance from their oppressors, I think it necessary
to state here that for myself I seek no gain whatsoever, for I am a
patriot and only seek to deliver some 250,000,000 of my countrymen
from the cruel yoke of the British Rule and to benefit the deliverer
at the same time and will serve the Imperial Government (should it
think proper to employ me) without any remuneration whatsoever.
Through my cousin Sirdar Thakar Singh (a
man well known both in the Panjab and mostly all over India) I have
been deputed by most of the powerful Princes of India to come to
Russia and to pray the Imperial Government to take their cause in
hand. These Princes possess altogether some 300,000 soldiers in
their services (and are prepared to revolt should the Imperial
Government think proper to make an advance upon the British provided
that I, their representative, be permitted to accompany the Imperial
Army so as to assure them of the generous and gracious intentions
entertained towards them by the Emperor, for the English have taken
good care to fill the minds of the people of India (who are
extremely ignorant) with false reports as to the oppressive nature
of the Russian Rule, though the British Government itself has broken
solemn engagements whenever it suited its own purposes to do so —
having broken two treaties with myself alone.
Among the many advantages that would
accrue to the Imperial Government by invasion of India are the
following:
The Princes of India, when freed and if
allowed to manage their affairs in their own way, would join
together and pay a large tribute annually into the Russian Treasury.
Although I am authorized to name only £3,000,000 per annum yet in my
opinion after the settling down of the country they could easily pay
between £8,000,000 and £10,000,000. The British raise annual revenue
from the country of some £50,000,000 and £60,000,000 sterling, out
of which an army of 100,000 Europeans and Officers and English
civilians (who receive very high salaries) absorb at least
£25,000,000.
The rest is employed in the
administration of the country and in the payment of interest upon
capital advanced by England for the construction of railroad and
upon the Public debt of India and pensions to retired officials in
England. Also the import and export trade between England and India
amounting to some £50,000,000 per annum each way would be secured to
Russia. India is indeed a gold mine to England and most of her
wealth has been and is derived from that source. I have been much
struck already during my very short stay in Russia with the low
value of things in this country from want (in my opinion) of
suitable markets for their disposal. But could the same commodities
be taken to India I feel persuaded that from 100 to 300 per cent
over the prices they fetch here would be realized for them out
there. The markets of Central Asia are not to be compared with that
of India.
I guarantee an easy conquest of India.
For besides the promised assistance of the Princes of India with
their armies, it is in my power to raise the entire Panjab in revolt
and cause the inhabitants to attack in their rear the British forces
sent to oppose Imperial Army.
My loyal subjects would also destroy all
railway, telegraphic, and other communication and blow up bridges
and cut off all supplies while the Princes revolting would harass
the British troops left behind as a reserve. England is only strong
at sea but she has no army. She has only some 100,000 Europeans and
about the same number of native soldiers in her service in India.
Out of the latter some 45,000 men are Panjabees and who are the best
soldiers that England possesses in India. All these are loyal to me
and will come over at once to the side of Russia (provided that I be
permitted to accompany the Imperial Army of invasion), should they
be sent to confront the Russian troops, or they will attack the
opposing British forces in their rear, should these Sikhs be left
behind,
Under these circumstances no British
army could hold its own, however powerful it might be (which it is
not), being attacked both in front and behind.
It may not, perhaps, be out of place
with due modesty to state here why I have some power over my
countrymen and can render such invaluable services to the Imperial
Government in the way described above. In the first place I am the
acknowledged head and sovereign of some 20,000,000 (of which about
8,000,000 are Sikhs) people of entire Punjab, a country inhabited by
the most warlike races of India and are all loyal to me. Secondly
the last teacher of the Sikhs prophesied somewhere about 1725
regarding myself and has mentioned me by name in his Prophecy. He
has besides other matters predicted also that a man bearing my name
would after becoming deposed [dispossessed] of all he had inherited
and after residing alone in a foreign country for a long time,
return and with aid of a European power free the Sikhs from the
cruel bondage that they would be then suffering under for their
sins.
Therefore, a great deal can be made out
of the Prophecy if properly worked, as the predicted time of its
fulfillment is near at hand and the people of the country are
extremely ignorant as already stated.
At this moment the whole of India is
with me and as soon as the People of Hindoostan are assured of my
arrival in Russia their joy will know no bounds at their coming
deliverance. With all humility I would endeavour to dissuade the
Imperial Government from regarding complications in the South East
Europe for the present, because many powers are united to oppose the
realization of its wishes in that quarter but to turn its entire
attention upon the conquest of India and upon crushing England. For
by wrenching India out of the hands of England, the Imperial
Government will acquire a source of Great wealth, whereas I
greatly doubt that so much will be gained by taking Constantinople.
Further more, if I may be permitted, I
would venture to state that, should the invasion of India be
entertained in the Imperial councils, an army of not less than
200,000 men and 2000 cannons be provided for that purpose. Not that
this force is at all necessary for the conquest of India but to
impress wavering Princes and people of that country of the greatness
of the resources of Russia and thus half the battle would be gained.
In having thus freely expressed my
views, I pray that I may not be considered disrespectful towards the
Imperial Government but as a loyal subject of the Emperor (which I
already consider myself to be, though I have not yet received the
right of naturalization), I feel it my duty to say what I have to
say without reserve.
The Imperial Government, whether it
thinks proper to invade India or not or to employ me or not, can
please itself in the matter for it is no concern of mine.
I have been deputed simply to make an
appeal on behalf of 250,000,000 of my countrymen for deliverance
from the cruel yoke of the British Rule and having done so my duty
is ended and, if graciously permitted by the Emperor to enjoy both
liberty and safety in his Majesty’s dominions, I shall occupy myself
in sport leaving the Almighty to bring about the deliverance of my
unfortunate people in His own good time.
Should the Imperial Government, however,
think proper to turn its attention towards the conquest of India and
desire my services for that purpose, I would suggest then that 2 or
3 gentlemen speaking English well should be appointed both to
further discuss the matter with me and to enquire into the truth of
the assertions I have made with regards to India.
May
10, 1887
DULEEP SINGH Maharajah
15 August, 2007
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