Like people, like rulers.  The State had been founded by a Mahratta free-booter in the days when the Pindaris swept across Hindustan from Poona almost to Calcutta.  His successor at the time of the Mutiny was a clever rascal, who refused to commit himself openly against the British while secretly protesting his devotion to their enemies.  He balanced himself adroitly on the fence until it was evident which side would prove victorious.  When Delhi fell and the mutineers were scattered, he offered a refuge in his palace to certain rebel princes and leaders who were fleeing with their treasures and loot to Burmah.  But the treacherous scoundrel seized the money and valuables and handed the owners over to the Government of India.

The present occupant of the gadi—­which is the Hindustani equivalent of a throne—­was far from being an improvement on his predecessors.  He exceeded them in viciousness, though much their inferior in ability.  As a rule the Indian reigning princes of today—­and especially those educated at the splendid Rajkumar College, or Princes’ School—­are an honour to their high lineage and the races from which they spring.  In peace they devote themselves to the welfare of their subjects, and in war many of them have fought gallantly for the Empire and all have given their treasures or their troops loyally and generously to their King-Emperor.

The Rajah of Lalpuri was an exception—­and a bad one.  Although not thirty years of age he had plumbed the lowest depths of vice and debauchery.  Cruelty and treachery were his most marked characteristics, lust and liquor his ruling passions.

Of Mahratta descent he was of course a Hindu.  While in drunken moments professing himself an atheist and blaspheming the gods, yet when suffering from illness caused by his excesses he was a prey to superstitious fears and as wax in the hands of his Brahmin priests.  Although his territory was small and unimportant, yet the ownership of a Bengal coalfield and the judicious investment by his father of the treasure stolen from the rebel princes in profitable Western enterprises ensured him an income greater than that enjoyed by many far more important maharajahs.  But his revenue was never sufficient for his needs, and he ground down his wretched subjects with oppressive taxes to furnish him with still more money to waste in his vices.  All men marvelled that the Government of India allowed such a debauchee and wastrel to remain on the gadi.  But it is a long-suffering Government and loth to interfere with the rulers of the native states.  However, matters were fast reaching a crisis when the Viceroy and his advisers would be forced to consider whether they should allow this degenerate to continue to misgovern his State.  This the Rajah realised, and it filled him with feelings of hostility and disloyalty to the Suzerain Power.