'THIM DAYS IS GONE' [‎38r] (75/248)

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The Hindu Caste System, like all forms of apartheid, did not work
with a hundred percent efficiency. By long established custom,
Hindu Rulers who had no heir would adopt a boy of the right caste
who possibly came of a very poor village family. Since caste did
not prevent Rajput males, when young and lusty, from enjoying the
charms of lower-caste or even "untouchable" girls, it would be
illogical to assume that the females were immune from the same
temptation. Indeed there was one very important Maharajah
(adopted in his youth) who I am sure, to judge by his physionomy,
was of Dravidian origin. After all, what is sauce for the gander
must, in the nature of things, be sauce for the goose!
Our Grand Tour of Rajputana reached its climax in Bikaner where
the Maharajah had a house (or palace?) party of about 70 people
for Christmas. The bird-s1aughter was particularly successful,
although it was somewhat distasteful to be expected to shoot
sand-grouse or, worse still, Kung Cranes flying in from the
desert for their daily drink of water.
The Constitutional discussions were more than usually illuminat
ing, because the Princes had hired an American, Judge Wadhams
who was an expert on Constitutional Law, to advise them. I never
heard a neater picker of nits; and it was clear that he
interpreted his mission as one to devise excuses for the
Princes not acceding to the proposed federation; which, in the
outcome, they declined to do.
Lady Ogilvy excelled herself by taking me to task for proceeding
to the ante-room before dinner, instead of waiting outside her
bedroom door to carry her wrap and follow her in. She also took
exception to the Maharajah (who no doubt naturally felt the need
for variety) placing Lady Metcalfe on his right at dinner from
time to time.
Sir Aubrey Metcalfe was Foreign Secretary to the Government of
India, but ranked as junior to Sir George when within the limits
of Rajputana; and he retaliated with the following verse : -
"I told you, Pat, to search that silly Warrant,
You merely answer that there is no place.
Allotted in it for the First Class! widow.
Unless she be by birth of noble race.
My place is at the right hand of the Ruler,
And never will my stomach proud agree.
To see the "also rans" go in before me,
and Chhot a mems take precedence of Me .
I understand that God has given orders,
that Lorna's to be given at his board.
The precedence to which she is accustomed.
The angels all said "Hukm I 2 Praise the Lord!"
St. Peter must be waiting at my doorstep.
To take my coat and lead me through the crowd.
And God, no doubt, will take me into dinner.
Poor George! He'll be so jealous, but so proud!"
Footnotes :
1 • There were a dozen or so "First Class" Residencies, of which
Rajputana was one.
2 . Meaning "Command!"; the traditional response in Rajputana to
an order.