Chapter 1654 - 1560: The Future of India

Chapter 1654: Chapter 1560: The Future of India

Singh put his hands together in a gesture of respect, but his gaze was as sharp as the tip of a spear: "Monsieur Salah de Casselin, full liaison officer of France on the Peninsula, your Kannada is as fluent as someone who grew up in Sri Lanka Patana."

"Casselin" was the surname Salah adopted after converting to Catholicism.

Salah’s heart tightened instantly; no more than five people within Mysore Palace knew he was posing as the Sultan’s envoy, yet the Sikh King clearly had significant inside information in Sri Lanka Patana!

"’Eternal Truth.’" Singh gestured to the "Karapura" and vanilla milk placed on the carpet, "According to what I’ve heard, you have been strongly supporting Sultan Tipu’s alliance with England to launch a pincer attack on the Maratha Confederacy from the north and south."

Salah tried to control his expression, but the astonishment on Prince Muhidin’s face, seated behind him, had already given away the answer.

Singh nodded satisfactorily: "If I’m not mistaken, Monsieur Salah, you don’t truly want Mysore and England to unite; it’s merely a tactic to disorient the British.

"Perhaps another diplomat of yours, or perhaps yourself, should have already conducted secret negotiations with Holkar and Bhonsle. As for whether Scindia is involved, I’m not entirely sure."

Scindia, Holkar, and Bhonsle are the three strongest forces within the Maratha Confederacy. Scindia, positioned furthest north, does not directly border the British-controlled Bengal, yet the British vassal state Oderx is the frontline of this war, thus Scindia faces the greatest military pressure and is also the strongest state in the Maratha Confederacy.

Bhonsle is in the east and borders Bengal directly, which also poses considerable pressure.

Located on the southern side of the Confederacy, Holkar feels the least pressure, hence is least motivated to dispatch troops to fight England, even hoping the other two would suffer mutual destruction against the British, allowing him to become the leader of the Maratha.

Mysore lies just south of Holkar, separated only by a few powerless small states.

Singh glanced at Salah and continued: "When the British Army starts attacking Scindia’s defenses, they’ll find that the southern side of the Maratha Confederacy remains as calm as a windless forest.

"Sultan Tipu will then lead the army to attack Madras and Coromandel. At that time, the British will have no troops left to fend off the Mysore army.

"Once Coromandel surrenders, Sultan Tipu will continue northward, directly striking Calcutta.

"And your visit to Rashel this time is probably to persuade me to contain the Oderx army from the west..."

Madras and Coromandel are British colonies on the eastern coast of the Indian Peninsula, although small in size, they serve as important strategic points threatening the Maratha Confederacy’s flank. Moreover, the northern edge of Coromandel is just over three hundred kilometers from Calcutta.

Salah observed the confident smile of the Sikh King, and his initial tension gradually dissipated.

Because the latter was completely mistaken.

Salah thought smugly: How could you fathom the plan devised by His Highness the Regent?

He straightened his back and returned the same confident smile: "I can only regretfully inform you, Majestic Highness, the situation is not as you described.

"Sultan Tipu will launch a ferocious assault on Kolhapur State, even before the British forces enter Oderx."

Kolhapur State is a Maratha Confederacy member state neighboring northern Mysore.

Singh’s brow furrowed slightly, a look of confusion in his eyes.

Salah then casually picked up the milk cup in front of him: "Tearing apart the Maratha Confederacy is greatly beneficial to Mysore, France, and Punjab.

"Sultan Tipu’s objective is to acquire, at the very least, all the cities south of the Panchganga River in this war.

"Of course, it would be best to secure Pune. His Majesty may appear at a suitable time as a mediator between the Maratha Confederacy and England."

Singh grew more puzzled: "Then why did you come to see me?"

"To invite you to join the siege against the Maratha Confederacy."

Singh’s eyelids twitched immediately.

He was originally prepared to reluctantly agree to the French envoy’s proposal to assist the Maratha Confederacy against powerful England. Unexpectedly, both the French and Tipu were genuinely going to take action against the Maratha Confederacy.

He frowned: "I can’t spare any extra troops. Besides, it’s not in my country’s interest."

He was highly wary of the greedy British, keen not to see their influence expand further on the Indian Peninsula.

Salah promptly said: "Won’t His Majesty reclaim the states south of the Sutlej River?"

He was referring to the southeastern Punjab territories of Semana and Sirhind, which, though predominately Sikh, are controlled by Scindia.

"That’s a matter for the future, my primary concern is dealing with the Afghans."

Salah grew increasingly relaxed, starting to recite the "speech" of His Highness the Regent: "You know, Prince Shuja is extremely displeased over His Majesty Mahmud’s murder of his brother Zaman and is rallying loyal tribes to attack Kabul.

"Before they resolve their conflict, I believe Punjab’s western region will be very stable."

The war among Afghanistan’s princes had persisted for over a decade. Initially, Zaman conquered Kabul to become Shah, but within a few years, was overthrown by his brother Mahmud.

Mahmud’s "regicide" act was exploited by Shuja, leaving his rule vulnerable.

It’s foreseeable that once Shuja makes a move, Mahmud will almost certainly be overthrown.

Singh nodded with a solemn face: "It won’t be too long, but afterward, my nation remains the prime target for the Afghans."

Northern India has traditionally been a major source of wealth for Afghanistan, and the Empire periodically crosses the Khyber Pass to plunder Punjab.

Only since Afghanistan’s internal turmoil did Punjab, under Singh’s leadership, manage to catch its breath.

Salah continued: "Shuja is not a capable person, other princes will definitely not continually accept his rule, particularly Prince Dost and others.

"Trust me, Afghanistan’s civil war will last at least another decade; you have ample time to consolidate the states south of the Sutlej River."

Singh pondered for a moment but still shook his head: "Engaging in warfare against the Maratha Confederacy carries too great a risk, totally unnecessary."

Salah seemed to anticipate this response, revealing a polite smile: "If, by persuading the Mughal Emperor to leave Delhi, permanently leave, would you find it necessary?"

Singh was instantly enlightened upon hearing this.

The Mughal Empire had long suppressed Sikhism, enduring over a hundred years, and had blood feuds with Punjab.

Delhi is southeast of Punjab, just 180 kilometers away, and is a thorn in the eye of every Sikh.

If he could drive out the Mughal Emperor, his prestige among the Sikhs would be unparalleled!

Eastern Punjab, and the Sikh tribes south of the Sutlej River wouldn’t need to be reclaimed by force but would voluntarily pledge allegiance to him.

He looked at Salah: "What if Alam II refuses to leave Delhi?"

Delhi is a symbol of the Mughal Dynasty, and the current emperor Alam II refused to leave Delhi even when Gulam Kadir instigated a rebellion, preferring captivity.

He expected Salah to say, "Then kill him," but heard the Frenchman say instead: "Rest assured, as long as you cooperate, King Ram the Second will be very willing to leave."

Singh instinctively asked: "Where will he go?"

"Of course, to Mysore."