A new book on India "A Land I Once called home" by Robert David

is being published in February, 2005. Here is a brief introduction to the book by the author himself.

Acknowledgements

 

My thanks and primary acknowledgement must go to Australia, the most freedom loving country in the world today, where all individuals freely voice their opinions, straight from the heart and my greatly loved and appreciated home for well over three and a half decades. Having travelled to most countries of this world I believe I can claim to have acquired the expertise to appreciate basic intrinsic values. The generosity of individuals in Australia is legendary and my loyalty lies in this wonderful country. Having said that, it does not alter my immense love for India, the land of my birth: A Land I Once Called ‘Home.’

 

It has been a lifetime quest for me, to obtain a true and accurate picture of events that shaped India; and of, contemporary events throughout the world that I believe dictated the vicissitudes of life in India. Many events will be recounted. Some readers may question the inclusion of some of the topics, others may object to, or wish for greater detail. Although some passages may appear too lengthy, abstract and religious, several academics, after previewing this story have extolled the content. However, no author can please every reader and I recognize my limitations.

 

Many anecdotes in this story are peripheral to India; but all are indirectly connected.

 

The reader needs forbearance in perusing and assimilating them. To the average reader the content of the anecdotes will appear bewildering, all readers will be shocked and astonished, but most anecdotes highlight unique facets that specifically pertain to India and some lend immense entertainment.

 

There are some expatriates from India, in addition to people currently living in India, who appear to be reluctant or frightened, to speak of the glories of India, their homeland. I have met many of them. Some do not even wish to speak or read about India others were even prepared to confront me.

 

Hey! Remember! India is the land you once called home. Don’t be ashamed of your homeland just change your attitude.

 

Many people in India have been brainwashed so thoroughly by past vilifying propaganda and present day superficialities that they deride their homeland, many mention beggars on the streets. There were beggars in every country that I had visited. Perhaps they are not so visible as in India, because there is more freedom in India, than in any other country on earth. In many countries democracy and freedom are dubious words. Democracy is a magnificent concept, a lofty ideal but unfortunately people being human are not perfect.

 

In India, many beggars have homes to go to, and some possess amenities that people in the same category and even above, in many other countries, cannot hope to enjoy. These words are not written lightly, God Bless all countries, organizations and individuals, God’s chosen, who work tirelessly to alleviate hunger and distress.

 

Let us not blindly criticize the homeland.

 

This story about India will astound you and widen your knowledge and with knowledge comes immense strength, so come out of the closet. Come out now.

 

You belong to the greatest country that ever existed on the face of this planet.

 

India is magnificent! You are the best. Speak to the thousands of people who have agreed with me.

 

I have spent innumerable hours on my three separate journeys to London, in its India Office perusing hardly legible documents pertaining to India’s immediate past. I have had to make a choice as to, what to include, and not to repeat too much of what has already been widely publicized. Anglo-Indians in particular and even some Indian communities tend to lavish praise on other Anglo-Indians and Indians, but these people have to be dead, the living are not acknowledged.

 

I have visited India six times in recent years, to confirm controversial issues and I have painstakingly trudged the length and breadth of that country. I don’t believe any one can describe historical events from a distant viewpoint as some sales-motivated writers have described India, hence my painstaking research.

 

To all who assisted me I offer my sincere thanks, even though it is impossible to name them all or to narrate all that I have gleaned from them. My special thanks are accorded to my nieces, Sandra Daly, Bachelor Economics, (for her continuous unstinting and invaluable assistance,) Vanessa Daly, Bachelor of Arts (Cultural Science,) and Graduate Diploma in Education, my formidable and most favourable critic and Michelle Daly, Bachelor of Arts (Drama and English,) and Bachelor of Education, for her literary support and encouragement. I must also thank, the stalwarts of Indian and Anglo-Indian history, Mr. Fred Peters of Melbourne, private historian; Mr. Louis Rozario, Bachelor of Commerce, past President of the Anglo-Indian Association in India and confidante of the illustrious Mr Frank Anthony and my son Neil Edward David, Affiliate of the Australian Institute of Management, for well over a decade, who courteously listened to me, then we analyzed long complex issues, since the inception of this story. Although his siblings evinced deep curiosity they skillfully avoided involvement due to far more demanding priorities. Neil was born in glorious Australia and from childhood was the undisputed leader of a vast following of dinky di Australian girls and boys and he converted all of them to our Anglo-Indian social and culinary lifestyles.

 

A special thank-you must go to Mr Joseph Bailey, for his invaluable assistance and enthusiasm over the years. He is the President of the Australian Anglo-Indian Association of Canberra (Inc.) and a Member of the Chief Minister’s Ministerial Advisory Council on Multicultural Affairs. Unfortunately, the names, comments and involvement of many members of several other related Associations, worldwide, are too varied and too many to mention but a few staunch, highly erudite and highly qualified contributors, whose support I value most highly, are Mr. Clayton Roberts, Mr. Errol D’Rosario, Mr. Denzil Bruce, Mr Noel Daniel, the former Honorary Consul for India in Western Australia; Mr. Harry MacLure and Mr. Melvyn Brown, two Anglo-Indian authors of immense stature in India and our most effervescent, multi-talented Anglo-Indian ambassadress, Mrs Lynette Rebeiro, of Canada.

 

I wish to acknowledge forthwith the names of a few mainstream authors, or their works, from which some of the historical data in this story have been primarily based, then confirmed and reconfirmed, in my own investigations. These authors are giants in their field of study and deserve praise from all readers of this story. A debt of gratitude must be accorded to the illustrious Frank Anthony and his fearless portrayal of Anglo-Indians in his book, ‘Britain’s Betrayal, BB,’ in which, he recounts the heroic exploits of Anglo-Indians and felt betrayed because their Anglo-Indian identity was not adequately disclosed in historical documents. His research comprises an important section in the chapter on well-known Anglo-Indians of yester-year, however, it must be noted that other magnificent Anglo-Indians and many glorious Indian individuals and Indian communities’ achievements are also recounted, derived from a plethora of additional source data. Some of the very important source data include: the Advanced History of India; (AHOI,) and the two magnificent military clarions, ‘A Matter of Honour and Red Coats to Olive Green,’ they detail the exploits of superhuman Indian warriors of all communities in the World Wars; A Political and Cultural History of India, (three Vols.); Saga of the Supreme Struggle, the Travels of Marco Polo, in India; the Indus Valley findings and the Sindhu-Saraswati Civilization (c. 3000 BC,) Internet references and from magnificent Bharat Rakshak the Air Force Internet compilations, I invite all readers to peruse Bharat Rakshak’s magnificent website; also, Jagan Mohan’s Air Force website; Armed Services of India’s website; freeindia.org, indiatimes.com, littleindia.com, maharaja.freeserve, Indian Railways FAQ and the Catholic Encyclopaedia website, all are clearly listed in my bibliography. All their reports have been checked, doublechecked and cross-examined. Also, courtesy of, at least a hundred, other not so well publicized authors whose magnificent works I have accessed. I thank them all profusely and sincerely and invite all readers to delve into the work of these Indian literary masters. If I have missed any author’s names I apologize and they are free to contact the publisher if further prints are forthcoming.

 

Although this narration is predominantly of historical import, there are also many personal observations and related experiences, legends, customs, and case studies in and of India, the country often referred to as ‘The Sacred Land,’ by its people, of the very highest cadre.

 

Lastly, and most of all, I must thank my wonderful wife, Phyllis Ann David, who has so magnificently and proudly assisted me, in all my endeavours, even with her recently acquired academic computer skills. But more than that she brought with her, grace, beauty and an ethereal personality, and without the magical catalyst of her presence I could never have achieved or accomplished anything worthwhile in our ‘diuturnity,’ that is, ‘our long lasting duration together.’

 

The names of many of my close friends are randomly inset within this narration, but only vaguely referred to, because of their insistence on anonymity.

 

                                                 Contents.

 

Foreword                                                                                                                                                                               x

Acknowledgements                                                                                                                                                                xx

Prologue                                                                                                                                                                                xxx

Epilogue                                                                                                                                                                                585

Appendix 1                                                                                                                                                                            586

Chapter 1 Introduction                India – A Land I Once Called Home                                                                5

                                                                Present and past visitors to India’s shores                                                       8

                                                                French and English as Suppliants to India                                                  11

                                                                The English King’s message to the India’s warriors                                                11

                                                                India’s Mighty Warriors                                                                                  12

                                                                Only Indian Warriors excel at Gallipoli                                                  14

Chapter 2 The Indian Army controlled India                                                                                                                                18

                                                                The Height of Conceit                                                                                 18

                                                                Indian soldiers defeat French troops in two battles                                                 20

                                                                It was the Will not the Drill                                                                                22

                                                                Historical references relating to India                                                       22

                                                                South Indian Warriors                                                                                    27

                                                                Cannon in India                                                                                                   30

Chapter 3 The East India Trading Company transfers its holdings                                                                                31

                                                                The British Raja                                                                                                            35

                                                                British seal their demise in India                                                                                37

Chapter 4 Influx of Europeans searching for Eldorado in India                                                                                  39

                                                                The white mutiny                                                                                                         46

                                                                Indian dismay and nationalism                                                                                46

                                                                Indian Congress declares Independence Day                                                                48

Chapter 5 Asian People and Religions Influenced Europe                                                                                   49

                                                                The Romans and Lord Mitra                                                                                60

                                                                Western Clothing originated in Eastern Countries                                                63

                                                                The Jews of India                                                                                                         64

                                                                150 Stonehenges in America                                                                                68

Chapter 6 Development of Nations                                                                                                                                             68

                                                                India in the Context of Development                                                        70

                                                                All of Man’s great Religions originated in Asia                                                72

                                                                Industrialization: Development of Industry                                                                75

Chapter 7 India’s stolen wealth finances Britain’s Industrial Revolution                                                                                77

                                                                The destruction of Bengal                                                                                                78

                                                                India deprived of Technology                                                                                80

                                                                Destruction of Bengal accelerates                                                                                80

Chapter 8 How Madras was established                                                                                                                    82

                                                                Arrival of Robert Clive                                                                                     86

                                                                The African Slave Trade                                                                                                90

                                                                Arrival of Warren Hastings                                                                                93

Chapter 9 Salt more precious than Gold                                                                                                                                95

                                                                Skin Colour: An Adaptive Response                                                              97

                                                                The Third Eye                                                                                                               99

                                                                A Contrast between Hinduism, Christianity and Science                           104

                                                                The Silver Cord                                                                                                            110

Chapter 10. British Traders interest in India                                                                                                                                112

                                                                Elizabeth 1st requests Indian Emperor to exchange factory sites                 115

Chapter 11. Emperor Akbar and Empress Mariam-uz-Zamani of India                                                                                129

                                                                John Hawkins arrives in India                                                                   131

                                                                The Plight of the British soldier in India                                                       132

                                                                British soldiers in India in the 19th and 20th Centuries                                                133

                                                                The British soldier in India walked in Fear and Dread                                                134

                                                                The Plight of British Officers in India                                                   139

                                                Indian armies continuously defeat British troops                                    142

Chapter 12. The Evil in Bengal Spreads                                                                                                                    145

Chapter 13. The Wealth and Lifestyle of Indian Rulers                                                                                     148

Chapter 14. A glimpse at Hyderabad                                                                                                                            157

                                                                This story is not a history book                                                                       158

                                                                Bribe and Administer                                                                                     158

                                                                Historians’ reports on Tipu Sultan                                                                                161

Chapter 15. Bangalore: Town of Baked Beans                                                                                                                161

                                Kashmir: Kashmira, the Lake of Kashyapa                                                                                              165

Chapter 16. India’s 4000 year-old Maritime History and Ancient Ports                                                                                167

Chapter 17. Intrigues of the East India Company, Wellesley and Cornwallis                                                                175

                                                                The Viceroys                                                                                                                179

                                                                Actions of Cornwallis                                                                                             180

Chapter 18. The Marathas                                                                                                                                                                181

Chapter 19. The Birth of Anglo-Indians                                                                                                                      183

                                                                Discrimination Commences                                                                           191

                                                                Interesting Observations                                                                                        196

                                                                The First Anglo-Indians                                                                                                214

                                                                The First Anglo-Indian Warriors and Professionals                                        215

                                                                Anglo-Indian Alliances and Achievements                                                      217

                                                                Anglo-Indian Warriors, ‘First World War’                                                           238

                                                                Anglo-Indian Warriors, ‘Second World War’                                           243

                                                                The Burmese Encounter                                                                                                246

                                                                Famous Anglo-Indian Ladies                                                                                250

Chapter 20. The Indian Railways                                                                                                                                                251

                                                                Ajmer                                                                                                                                255

                                                                A Special Look at ‘Trains,’ in India                                                                   257

Chapter 21. India’s wars with Pakistan                                                                                                                        263

                                                                India-Pakistan, Second War                                                                                264

                                                                India-Pakistan, Third War                                                                                                267

                                                                India-Pakistan War: Land Operations                                                            272

                                                                Kargil                                                                                                                                275

                                                                The Indian-Chinese conflict                                                                                276

Chapter 22. In-teresting in-sights in-to In-dia: Whisky                                                                                                  282

                                                                Break-up of the Mighty Marathas                                                                               285

                                                                Deathblow to Maratha aspirations                                                                                286

                                                                The Peacock Throne                                                                                   287

                                                                Land of Diamonds                                                                                              288

                                                                Kolar Gold Fields                                                                                            291

                                                                Lure of Gold, in India                                                                                        293

Chapter 23. Downfall of Hastings                                                                                                                                                294

                                                                Charges against Hastings                                                                                                296

Chapter 24. Calcutta                                                                                                                                                                297

Chapter 25. East India Company Hierarchy                                                                                                                                304

                                                                Jallianwalla Barg: massacre of civilian families                                   305

                                                                Indian patriot kills the Governor of Jallianwalla Province                                305

Chapter 26. Early Indian Kingdoms                                                                                                                                              306

                                                                Marco Polo’s observations and Indian Naval Power                                                312

                                                                Arab observations and the fierce Huns                                                            315

                                                                The Indus Valley Civilization                                                                                316

                                                                A portrait of Gujerat, Taxila and Nalanda                                                          318

Chapter 27. The Meerut Uprising, May 1957                                                                                                                                322

                                                                Aftermath to the Meerut Uprising                                                                   329

Chapter 28. Gandhi                                                                                                                                                                331

                                                                Gandhi’s Salt March                                                                                    333

Chapter 29. India and the World Wars                                                                                                                          338

                                                                India’s incredible Warriors, First World War                                            342

                                                                Use of Poison Gas in War Theatres                                                                                344

                                                                India’s incredible Warriors, Continued                                                             346

                                                                Britain’s Field Unit Perfidy                                                                           355

                                                                Only Indian troops withstood the Germans                                                          355

Chapter 30. India’s incredible Warriors, Second World War                                                                                                356

                                                                Every Indian soldier knew he was better than an Italian soldier                    363

                                                                The Indian Chinthe is half Lion and half Eagle                                                365

Chapter 31. India’s Bountiful World War Contributions                                                                                       369

                                                                India’s Peacekeeping Operations                                                                                372

Chapter 32. India’s Great Apostle Saint Thomas                                                                                                                374

                                                                Indian historical references to Saint Thomas                                                        380

Chapter 33. The Crusades in a Nutshell                                                                                                                          383

                                                                The First Crusade                                                                                                        388

                                                                The Saracens unite                                                                                      400

Chapter 34. Religion and the Bhagavad Gita                                                                                                                                408

                                                                We Live Forever                                                                                                          417

                                                                How Big is our God                                                                                       419

                                                                The Archangels                                                                                                           423

                                                                The Legend of Lilith                                                                                    425

Chapter 35. Buddha: A Saint in the Catholic Church                                                                                                   426

Chapter 36. Buddha’s Alms-Pot the original Holy Grail                                                                                              432

                                                                The Holy Grail adapted from Buddha’s Patra                                     435

                                                                Buddha’s Miraculous Teeth                                                                                436

                                                                The original Garden of Eden was in Sri Lanka                                   438

Chapter 37. Random Observations and Events                                                                                                                439

                                                                Arrival of the British East India Trading Company                                                442

                                                                Final Profile of Robert Clive                                                                                444

                                                                Alexander and Seleucus                                                                                                447

Chapter 38. Pizarro, Cortez and other Adventurers                                                                                                         448

                                                                Francisco Pizarro                                                                                                    449

                                                                                When thieves fall out                                                                    452

                                                                Hernando Cortez                                                                                                                452

Chapter 39. Hitler and the Master Race theory                                                                                                                456

                                                                The main characteristic of a Master Race is theft                                                458

                                                                The beginning of the end of Germany’s Eastern March                                463

                                                                The Surrender of Berlin                                                                                                464

Chapter 40. Opium Revenue: The East India Company Takeover                                                                                464

Chapter 41. Eviction of the British Raja and 600 Indian Rajas                                                                                          479

                                                Father of the Indian Revolution                                                                                                481

                                                Death Operation                                                                                                                                496

                                                I am Azad                                                                                                                                497

                                                Demise of Pritilata, India’s Queen of Revolutionaries                                                    501

                                                Eviction of the last Rajas                                                                                                               508

                                                The accession of Kashmir                                                                                                             509

                                                The accession of Hyderabad                                                                                        518

                                                The Liberation of Goa, Daman and Diu                                                                                521

Chapter 42. Pataliputra                                                                                                                                                                523

Chapter 43. Myth of Aryan Invasion                                                                                                                    526

Chapter 44. India’s Science and Technology Contributions to the World                                                                     534

                                                Modern Advances in India                                                                                                                539

                                                Biotechnology                                                                                                                                543

                                                Ocean Developments                                                                                                      545

                                                Space Technology                                                                                                          547

                                                Early History in Space                                                                                                     548

                                                India’s Space Rockets and Missiles                                                                                                551

Chapter 45. India Marches Into The Future.                                                                                                                                553

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