Chapter 7 The State's Position

"Dear Ali Khan, on behalf of the British Empire, please allow me to express the most sincere respect to you, a loyal ally for a long time." Alan Wilson was an old servant from the moment he opened his mouth. Show goodwill, "For three hundred years, Hyderabad, the royal family, and the British Empire have always cooperated very happily. This harmonious relationship has benefited us a lot. Whether it is the past or the future, I hope our friendship will continue. "

"The similarity between you and the previous commissioner is that you speak the same stylized words." Mir Osman Ali Khan smiled slightly, pointing out the commonality of the other party, and waved to the servants in the palace to prepare the meal, "I just After the service, now invite the new commissioner of Hyderabad to have lunch, and by the way, improve our relationship with each other."

"I am very honored. Your Majesty, I am amazed at your proficiency in English." Alan Wilson acted disrespectfully and agreed to the other party's invitation.

Because of the dimensionality, Hyderabad is located in South India, but because of the Deccan Plateau, the temperature here is not much higher than that in New Delhi. In the climate at the beginning of the year, it makes people feel a little cool.

However, it is clear that Mir Osman Ali Khan, as a native Hyderabad monarch, has gotten used to the climate here, prepared tableware for Alan Wilson, and ate with his hands like ordinary Indians, even with knives and forks. Ready to serve next to a plate.

It was not until the silver plate was licked clean that Mir Osman Ali Khan slowly said, "As the new Hyderabad commissioner, I welcome you very much. Whether it is New Delhi or London, I believe that you have been carefully considered. .”

At this time, Alan Wilson knew that although the Hyderabad monarch had never left his own country, he was very well informed. He had already fallen into the eyes of the other party before he left New Delhi.

From asking whether the Anglo-Indian Army marched into Burma smoothly, to hearing that Prime Minister Churchill was about to go to Yalta to hold a meeting with the Soviets, he knew everything in detail. It's far from the look of licking the plate just now.

Going around, Mir Osman Ali Khan seemed to be a little indifferent and asked, "I heard that Nehru and Ali Jinnah were in trouble, which caused a lot of trouble in New Delhi and London. To be honest, I personally don't like this kind of quarrel very much."

"From the point of view of the British, of course I don't like it either, my lord." Alan Wilson listened carefully and took a careful look at Mir Osman Ali Khan's expression. Tun said, "It seems that the majesty seems to be very concerned about some rumors, and wants to get urgent answers."

"Well, I heard some things. Although it is not good to ask when the war is not over, please understand that this involves a big problem in Hyderabad." Mir Osman Ali Khan did not hide it, The thin body matched the loud voice, "I don't know what London thinks of the current independence movement in British India? Whether it is Ali Jinnah or Nehru's proposition?"

Alan Wilson almost wanted to scratch his head, this question was beyond the scope of his commissioner's ability to answer. As for whether British India will continue to exist, whether it should try its best to maintain it, or let India be independent. I believe that in London, neither the Conservative Party nor the Labor Party has an accurate answer, and it should still be under discussion.

It seems that Mir Osman Ali Khan cares about this issue extraordinarily, otherwise he would not ask him, the commissioner who has just arrived, a little too impatient.

But the point is that he really can't answer this question, but he just met the monarch here, and he can't give a clear answer. This may damage the relationship. It's nothing to damage the relationship between the British Empire and Hyderabad. It will damage the personal relationship. It was something Alan Wilson didn't want to see.

The opponent is not just the ruler of Hyderabad. Once India becomes independent, he will be driven away. You must know that Mir Osman Ali Khan is still the richest man in the world who has appeared on the cover of Time Magazine in the United States. It is still impressive, even Alan Wilson who dug the Golden Temple is no exception.

"In fact, there is no final conclusion in London on this issue. Dear Majesty, but in the name of a private individual, I can imagine several possible situations to judge what attitude the Maharaja will take at that time." Alan Wilson said With a very sincere expression, he spoke in his own name.

"Oh? Tell me!" Mir Osman Ali Khan's face was calm, and he didn't know what he was thinking.

"In fact, the idea of ​​the Congress Party represented by Nehru himself is a well-known fact. It hopes that India after independence can maintain the framework of a country, and what it wants is the legacy of the entire South Asia of the British Empire." Alan Wilson said This added, "This is the premise of establishing India's final independence. As for the Muslim League represented by Ali Jinnah, it is very resistant to the idea of ​​living in the same country as Hindus. Judging from the current attitude, Ali Jinnah His attitude is very tough, and he would rather fight a civil war than compromise."

"I've heard of Jinnah's attitude." Mir Osman Ali Khan nodded, apparently approving of Alan Wilson's analysis of the two most powerful local political figures in South Asia, and changed the topic, "But including Hyde What about the status of the Tu-states, including Raba? I don’t know what the Commissioner thinks.”

"Let's imagine the worst outcome!" Alan Wilson also knew that now is not the time to hide, and he must be recognized by the monarch of Hyderabad at the first meeting. He is a human being, not a slob who came up with bribes, even if he did become a commissioner only after paying bribes.

Mir Osman Ali Khan is concerned about the ownership of the state, which involves his interests. Allen Wilson also knows that the issue of the state has caused a series of disputes after India's independence.

Instead of mentioning Kashmir and Hyderabad, just talk about two issues that have not attracted much attention, Sikkim and Bhutan. One of the later generations was annexed by India in the 1960s, and the other became a protectorate of India.

On the current map of British India, both Sikkim and Bhutan are part of British India and exist in the name of a state. India's continuous wars also believe that it needs to restore the territory of British India. In other words, India is facing the territory of British India since ancient times.

Putting this issue aside, what Nehru thinks is obviously not the concern of Mir Osman Ali Khan, the monarch of Hyderabad. In fact, the two positions are diametrically opposed.