Introduction
After the Second Maratha War (1803-1805), the East India Company had complete control over the Maratha Confederacy, an alliance of kingdoms in modern-day Maharashtra. Much has since been written in criticism of the English in India, but little of it cuts to the heart, or (as he might put it) mantles the English cheek with the blush of shame, quite like Harsukh Rai’s guileless optimism.
WHOEVER sought their protection was much honoured, respected, and treated with great kindness, and they fixed an allowance for his maintenance. Notwithstanding that the English are few in number, yet, by their prudent measures and superior wisdom and understanding, they have introduced such management into the countries conquered by them as never was known in the days of any ancient rulers, although they possessed much greater power and more numerous armies.
For the comfort of their subjects and tranquillity of all the people they have established courts in all their cities and towns,* so that, in fact, in apprehension of their equity and justice, the wolf and the lion live in the same den with the goat and the deer and the wagtail and sparrow sit in the same nest with the falcon and hawk.
* Harsukh’s praise was not all undeserved. Bishop Reginald Heber found that Colonel James Tod had worked wonders in Rajputana, and that the only people who were ungrateful to him were the British. See The Quiet Kingdom.
Précis
Shortly after the Second Maratha War ended in 1805, Indian historian Harsukh Rai reflected on the advantages of living in a society governed by the English. They English, he said, did not have the sheer numbers that other conquering armies had brought to India, but had nonetheless achieved more peace and security than any of them. (56 / 60 words)
Shortly after the Second Maratha War ended in 1805, Indian historian Harsukh Rai reflected on the advantages of living in a society governed by the English. They English, he said, did not have the sheer numbers that other conquering armies had brought to India, but had nonetheless achieved more peace and security than any of them.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 60 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 50 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: about, although, because, despite, just, or, since, unless.
If you like what I’m doing here on Clay Lane, from time to time you could buy me a coffee.
Buy Me a Coffee is a crowdfunding website, used by over a million people. It is designed to help content creators like me make a living from their work. ‘Buy Me a Coffee’ prides itself on its security, and there is no need to register.
