appearance, wider than the High Street at Oxford, but having some distant resemblance to it in the color of its buildings, and their general form and Gothic style. Swarms of mendicants occupied every angle and the steps of every door. Of the remaining population, all were armed—a sure index of prevailing turbulence and general insecurity of life and property. Grave men in palanquins counting their beads, and looking like Mollahs, all had two or three sword-and-buckler lackeys attending on them. People of consequence, on their elephants, had each a sowarree with shield, spear, and gun; and even the lounging people of the lower ranks in the streets and shop-doors had their shields over their shoulders and their swords sheathed in one hand."
4. The maladministration[1] of the kingdom under native rule was proverbial, but it grew more intolerable during the reign of the late King, Wajid Ali; and, after many remonstrances and much deliberation, the kingdom was made a province of British India. It will thus be seen that the annexation of Oudh, though thought at the time to be a fatal act, was rendered obligatory on the British Government in order to relieve the five millions of suffering inhabitants from tyranny and oppression, brought about by the natural indolence of the King, who permitted the administration to fall completely into the hands of worthless minions by whose misrule the condition of the kingdom grew worse.
5. The profligate Court of Lucknow, however, had sunk into a hopelessly feeble state long before Wajid Ali Shah ascended the throne in 1847, for in 1831 Lord William Bentinck had called upon his predecessors for reforms, which were, however, never introduced. It may here be added that all communications between the Governor-General and the King had to pass through the Resident, who represented British interests, and for whom a force was maintained, officered from the Line of the Bengal Army, the cost of which was a charge upon the revenues of Oudh.
“In April 1831, Lord William Bentinck, while on a tour in the Upper Provinces, paid a ceremonial visit to Lucknow,
- ↑ If ever there was a device for insuring maladministration, it is that of at Native Ruler and Minister both relying on foreign bayonets, and directed by a British Resident. Even if all three were able, virtuous, and considerate, still the wheels of Government could hardly move smoothly. If it be difficult to select one man, European or Native, with all the requisites for a just administrator, where are three, who can and will work together. to be found? Each of the three may work incalculable mischief, but no one of them can do good if thwarted by the others. It is almost impossible for the Minister to be faithful and submissive to his Prince, and at the same time honest to the British Government.
