George St Patrick Lawrence, not the least gifted member of a family which had rendered splendid services to India. So long as George Lawrence remained in Rájpútána it was certain that that province would remain firm and steadfast in its loyalty to its overlord.
It did remain so, despite the risings at Nímach, at Nasirábád, at Erinpúram. Yet, even in loyal Rájpútána, much depended upon the issue of contest before Dehlí. In a population of nine millions there were many needy men who coveted the property of the wealthy. These doubtless looked forward with eagerness to the reports of the victories and defeats, of the sorties and the attacks, which daily inundated the bazaars. And if Dehlí had not fallen, if the English army had failed in its final assault, the encouragement which would have raised the populations elsewhere might not have been without an effect even in Rájpútána.
In Mírath and the adjoining districts to the east the subversion of British authority had not been so complete as might have been expected. In Mírath itself authority had soon been restored. And, thanks to the energy displayed by Mr Dunlop, by Mr Brand Sapte, and others, successful attempts were made to re-establish the British power in the villages near it. In June the energetic Magistrate, Mr Wallace Dunlop, had organised a troop of volunteers, composed of officers without regiments, of members of the Civil Service, and of others who happened to be at Mírath. Major Williams, Captain Charles D'Oyley, and Captain Tyrrwhitt occupied the positions of commandant, second in command, and adjutant. Styled, from the colour of the uniform adopted, the Khákí[1] Risálá, this troop, from the end of June to the fall of Dehlí, scoured the country, retook villages, punished marauders, and did all that was possible to restore and to maintain
- ↑ Khákí, i.e., dust-colour.
