Raja’s India Part 1
Ram Mohan Roy was born in Bengal in 1772. He was born to lead. He learnt Bengali, Hindi, and Sanskrit at a young age. He did much of his early schooling in Calcutta and then spend time in Delhi and Bombay. When he was in Madras, he learnt English. In his travels he has seen the oppression and looting by the East India Company. He had a deep desire to change it. At the same time he also saw the evils in the Indian society like sati, caste system etc. He believed he could change it through education. He noticed the various difference in the culture of different parts of the country. He had both Hindu and Muslim friends. He also got along with some Europeans. He did not hate the British. He just did not agree with their policies.
At the age of 22 he decided to travel abroad. He did not care for the “Kala Pani” superstition. By then he had been convinced that it was his duty to fight for the independence of his country. He travelled to Britain. He saw London and the development Industrialisation caused. He travelled to France and was fascinated by the ideas of liberty and fraternity. But inside his mind he was sure that true liberty cannot be achieved without equality for the different classes and genders. He had learnt a little French there. He loved languages.
Then he travelled to America in 1798. It was a time when America was a fledgling Democracy, but a Democracy nonetheless. He was fascinated by the nuances of a Presidential Democracy. But he was thoroughly repulsed by slavery. He himself was looked down upon due to his coloured skin.
He went back to Bharat in 1800. He saw the situation was unchanged from when he left. He understood the squabbling princes were the reason the British took control so easily. He decided to travel the country and meet the princes and build a reputation. He went all over the country. For him Bharat consisted of the lands bounded by Persia on the west, the Outer Himalayas on the north and Burma on the east. He considered Ceylon to be a part of Bharat.
During his travels around the country he met with everyone, kings, princes, noblemen, soldiers, businessmen, the common people, women, the so called “untouchables” and even children. He talked to them and tried to make them favourable to his idea of India. An independent presidential democracy which bowed her head to no one. Most disagreed with his ideas at first, but when he showed them the looting and oppression by the EIC, they agreed. The kings were of course resistant to give up power.
The British took notice of his campaign against them. They arrested him many a times. But he talked his way out of it. He knew a nonviolent victory against victory against the British would not be possible, so he set about creating an Army. This was hard for him since he was not a king or something like that. But he had the support of the King of Travancore (no 1795 treaty with British) and the King of Nepal. He also had the backing of the Mughal Emperor.
It was 1812. Ram Mohan Roy had been given the title Raja due to his king making acts. He was respected around the country. He had by then evolved his model for the country after Independence. He also acquired the backing of the rulers of Jhansi and the Nizam of Hyderabad. He had supporters working within the East India Company. He also travelled to Persia, China, and Japan to gain recognition and to ask for help.
He then heard a news, America had lost the war against British. It had ceded the territory of New England to the British North America. The American people were angry, they wanted revenge. He thought about how he could use this to his advantage. He travelled to America and met with Mr President James Madison. He proposed his plan. An attack on British in two fronts. Both in the BNA and the EIC. James wanted revenge, he readily agreed.
Raja then travelled to France, to convince them to enter the war. (In this history France does not invade Russia, Napoleon remains strong). Napoleon was not ready for a war with Britain. But France agreed to train and finance the Indian Army. And also they lend some ships to Raja’s Force.
When Raja returned to India he had financing from America and France and also military advisors from both the countries. He waited for 5 years, letting the advisors train his force in modern warfare.
It was 1817. The war began in America. US troops attacked settlements in BNA. Indian forces attempted to rout the EIC forces in India. It also fought the force of Indian Kings loyal to the British. France watched from the side-lines. It was the mother of all wars till then. Russia was confused on which side to support. Britain was not ready for a two front war. Their forces were spread thin as it is.
Napoleon entered the war six months later. He was getting ready for an invasion of Britain itself. Now Britain was in real danger. After six more months of fighting, British forces were eradicated in India. America was gaining on Britain but had gained only the provinces of Halifax and New England.
France was continuously trying to cross the channel and had taken over Kent. Britain saw a lost cause, so it called for a Peace treaty. India was to be free. America gained New England. France gained Sierra Leone and Guiana. Reparations were paid to all three countries. Britain was allowed to keep Maldives as a trading post.
India was free. Raja’s dream had been partially fulfilled. He was appointed the Acting President till Elections. He presided over the Reconstruction of the country. A constitution was written up based loosely on the American Constitution but taking into account the diversities of India. Elections were held and Raja was elected the President.
Continued... The development of Raja’s India Part 2.