Page:Life in India or Madras, the Neilgherries, and Calcutta.djvu/492

430 raised to the throne by the English after the death of Tippoo. His power is merely nominal; the true ruler of the country is the commissioner of the Mysore territory, an English officer, without whose permission the rajah can take no step of importance. A large revenue is allowed him; and, as he owes every thing to the English by whom he was taken from obscurity, though of kingly descent, he is content with his nominal royalty and its emoluments. His income he dispenses in a way that attracts a host of flatterers and parasites. Especially do worthless and greedy Brahmins flock about the palace, clinging to him as vultures to a carcass, for the love of what they can pluck from him. The whole city is corrupted by the influence of the court and its attendant Brahmins, who completely rule the rajah.

At first the English did not feel prepared to take the country entirely into their hands, and for the purpose of conciliating the Hindus, placed this child of their ancient kings (then but a few years old) upon the throne. He proved so worthless, and so completely a tool of the crafty and rapacious Brahmins, that the power given him was recalled, and the commissioner residing at his court constituted his guardian.