A Journey through the Kingdom of Oude | Page 4

malpractices, and seek to slander the

man they were unable to remove.
The annexation of Oude to the British dominions followed, but not as a
consequence of Sir W. Sleeman's report. No greater injustice can be
done than to assert that he advised such a course. His letters prove
exactly the reverse. He distinctly states, in his correspondence with the
Governor-General, Lord Dalhousie, that the annexation of Oude would
cost the British power more than the value of ten such kingdoms, and
would inevitably lead to a mutiny of the Sepoys. He constantly
maintains the advisability of frontier kingdoms under native sovereigns,
that the people themselves might observe the contrast, to the advantage
of the Honourable Company, of the wise and equitable administration
of its rule compared with the oppressive and cruel despotism of their
own princes. Sir William Sleeman had profoundly studied the Indian
character in its different races, and was deservedly much beloved by
them for his earnest desire to promote their welfare, and for the
effectual manner in which, on all occasions in his power, and these
were frequent, he redressed the evils complained of, and extended the
_Ægis_ of British power over the afflicted and oppressed.
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INTRODUCTION.
THE following Narrative of a "Pilgrimage" through the kingdom of
Oude was written by the late Major-General Sir William Sleeman in
1851 (while a Resident at the Court of Lucknow), at the request of the
Governor-General the Marquess of Dalhousie, in order to acquaint the
Honourable Company with the actual condition of that kingdom, and
with the view of pointing out the best measures to be suggested to the
King for the improvement and amelioration of the country and people.
So early as October, 1847, the King of Oude had been informed by the
Governor-General, that if his system of rule were not materially
amended (for it was disgraceful and dangerous to any neighbouring
power to permit its continuance in its present condition) before two
years had expired, the British Government would find it necessary to
take steps for such purpose in his name. Accordingly on the 16th

September, 1848, the Governor-General addressed the following letter
to Sir William Sleeman, commissioning him to make a personal visit to
all parts of the kingdom:--
"_Government House, Sept_. 16, 1848.
"My Dear COLONEL SLEEMAN,--It was a matter of regret to me that
I had not anticipated your desire to succeed Colonel Sutherland in
Rajpootana before I made arrangements which prevented my offering
that appointment to you. I now regret it no longer, since the course of
events has put it in my power to propose an arrangement which will, I
apprehend, be more agreeable to you, and which will make your
services more actively beneficial to the State.
"Colonel Richmond has intimated his intention of immediately
resigning the Residency at Lucknow. The communication made by the
Governor-General to the King of Oude, in October, 1847, gave His
Majesty to understand that if the condition of Government was not very
materially amended before two years had expired, the management for
his behoof would be taken into the hands of the British Government.
"There seems little reason to expect or to hope that in October, 1849,
any amendment whatever will have been effected. The reconstruction
of the internal administration of a great, rich, and oppressed country, is
a noble as well as an arduous task for the officer to whom the duty is
intrusted, and the Government have recourse to one of the best of its
servants for that purpose.
"The high reputation you have earned, your experience of civil
administration, your knowledge of the people, and the qualifications
you possess as a public man, have led me to submit your name to the
Council of India as an officer to whom I could commit this important
charge with entire confidence that its duties would be well performed. I
do myself, therefore, the honour of proposing to you to accept the
office of Resident at Lucknow, with especial reference to the great
changes which, in all probability, will take place. Retaining your
superintendency of Thuggee affairs, it will be manifestly necessary that
you should be relieved from the duty of the trials of Thugs usually

condemned at Lucknow.
"In the hope that you will not withhold from the Government your
services in the capacity I have named, and in the further hope of finding
an opportunity of personally making your acquaintance,
"I have the honour to be, "Dear Colonel Sleeman, "Very faithfully
yours, "DALHOUSIE."
"To Colonel Sleeman, &c., &c."
Immediately on receipt of this despatch, Sir William proceeded to
make the necessary inquiry. Doubtless the King (instigated by his
Ministers and favourites, who dreaded the exposure of all their
infamous proceedings) would have prevented this investigation, which,
he was aware, would furnish evidence of gross