Introduction
James Tod (1782-1835) was appointed Political Agent in the western Rajput states in 1818, but retired in 1822 on health grounds, after falling out with his superiors. Over in Calcutta, Bishop Heber had heard rumours, but a visit to Udaipur in 1825 cleared it all up.
ALL the provinces of Mewar* were, for a considerable time after their connection with the British Government,* under the administration of Captain Tod, whose name appears to be held in a degree of affection and respect by all the upper and middling classes of society, highly honourable to him and sufficient to rescue these poor people from the often repeated charge of ingratitude.
Here and in our subsequent stages, we were continually asked by the cutwals,* &c. after ‘Tod Sahib,’ whether his health was better since he returned to England, and whether there was any chance of their seeing him again? On being told it was not likely, they all expressed much regret, saying, that the country had never known quiet till he came among them, and that everybody, whether rich or poor, except thieves and Pindaris,* loved him.
A region of south central Rajasthan in India, overlapping into Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. Mewar, governed from Udaipur, should not be confused with the Kingdom of Marwar based in nearby Jodhpur.
The British East India Company became the overall administrative authority in what is now Rajasthan in 1818; the Company’s ‘Rajputana Agency’ then became the Princely State of Jodhpur in 1843, which retained semi-autonomous status until it was absorbed into India following independence in 1947.
A Cutwal or Katwal was the chief of police in a large town or city under British rule.
The Pindari attached themselves to the armies of the Mughal Emperors or Maratha raiders, and survived on whatever they looted from unhappy villages and towns. Their activities were suppressed at last in the Pindari War of 1817-1818, and according to Governor-General Hastings, Tod’s efforts in the war ‘materially contributed to the success of the campaign.’
Précis
In 1825, Anglican bishop Reginald Heber visited Udaipur, which he knew had been revitalised by fellow Englishman James Tod after years of turmoil. The police chiefs of the towns had a very high opinion of Tod, asking anxiously after his health as Tod had recently retired to England, and saying how much they missed him. (55 / 60 words)
In 1825, Anglican bishop Reginald Heber visited Udaipur, which he knew had been revitalised by fellow Englishman James Tod after years of turmoil. The police chiefs of the towns had a very high opinion of Tod, asking anxiously after his health as Tod had recently retired to England, and saying how much they missed him.
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: although, despite, must, or, until, whereas, whether, who.
Word Games
Sevens Based on this passage
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
Variations: 1.expand your answer to exactly fourteen words. 2.expand your answer further, to exactly twenty-one words. 3.include one of the following words in your answer: if, but, despite, because, (al)though, unless.
Jigsaws Based on this passage
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
You are welcome to share your creativity with me, or ask for help with any of the exercises on Clay Lane. Write to me at this address:
See more at Email Support.
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.
