'With Scindia To Delhi' by Rudyard Kipling
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More than a hundred years ago, in a great battle fought near Delhi,
an Indian Prince rode fifty miles after the day was lost
with a beggar-girl, who had loved him and followed him in all his camps,
on his saddle-bow.He lost the girl when almost within sight of safety.
A Maratta trooper tells the story: --
The wreath of banquet overnight lay withered on the neck,
Our hands and scarfs were saffron-dyed for signal of despair,
When we went forth to Paniput to battle with the ~Mlech~, --
Ere we came back from Paniput and left a kingdom there.
Thrice thirty thousand men were we to force the Jumna fords --
The hawk-winged horse of Damajee, mailed squadrons of the Bhao,
Stark levies of the southern hills, the Deccan's sharpest swords,
And he the harlot's traitor son the goatherd Mulhar Rao!
Thrice thirty thousand men were we before the mists had cleared,
The low white mists of morning heard the war-conch scream and bray;
We called upon Bhowani and we gripped them by the beard,
We rolled upon them like a flood and washed their ranks away.
The children of the hills of Khost before our lances ran,
We drove the black Rohillas back as cattle to the pen;
'Twas then we needed Mulhar Rao to end what we began,
A thousand men had saved the charge; he fled the field with ten!
There was no room to clear a sword -- no power to strike a blow,
For foot to foot, ay, breast to breast, the battle held us fast --
Save where the naked hill-men ran, and stabbing from below
Brought down the horse and rider and we trampled them and passed.
To left the roar of musketry rang like a falling flood --
To right the sunshine rippled red from redder lance and blade --
Above the dark ~Upsaras~* flew, beneath us plashed the blood,
And, bellying black against the dust, the Bhagwa Jhanda swayed.
* The Choosers of the Slain.
I saw it fall in smoke and fire, the banner of the Bhao;
I heard a voice across the press of one who called in vain: --
"Ho! Anand Rao Nimbalkhur, ride!Get aid of Mulhar Rao!
Go shame his squadrons into fight -- the Bhao -- the Bhao is slain!"
Thereat, as when a sand-bar breaks in clotted spume and spray --
When rain of later autumn sweeps the Jumna water-head,
Before their charge from flank to flank our riven ranks gave way;
But of the waters of that flood the Jumna fords ran red.
I held by Scindia, my lord, as close as man might hold;
A Soobah of the Deccan asks no aid to guard his life;
But Holkar's Horse were flying, and our chiefest chiefs were cold,
And like a flame among us leapt the long lean Northern knife.
I held by Scindia -- my lance from butt to tuft was dyed,
The froth of battle bossed the shield and roped the bridle-chain --
What time beneath our horses' feet a maiden rose and cried,
And clung to Scindia, and I turned a sword-cut from the twain.
(He set a spell upon the maid in woodlands long ago,
A hunter by the Tapti banks she gave him water there:
He turned her heart to water, and she followed to her woe.
What need had he of Lalun who had twenty maids as fair?)
Now in that hour strength left my lord; he wrenched his mare aside;
He bound the girl behind him and we slashed and struggled free.
Across the reeling wreck of strife we rode as shadows ride
From Paniput to Delhi town, but not alone were we.
'Twas Lutuf-Ullah Populzai laid horse upon our track,
A swine-fed reiver of the North that lusted for the maid;
I might have barred his path awhile, but Scindia called me back,
AndI -- O woe for Scindia! -- I listened and obeyed.
League after league the formless scrub took shape and glided by --
League after league the white road swirled behind the white mare's feet --
League after league, when leagues were done, we heard the Populzai,
Where sure as Time and swift as Death the tireless footfall beat.
Noon's eye beheld that shame of flight, the shadows fell, we fled
Where steadfast as the wheeling kite he followed in our train;
The black wolf warred where we had warred, the jackal mocked our dead,
And terror born of twilight-tide made mad the labouring brain.
I gasped: -- "A kingdom waits my lord; her love is but her own.
A day shall mar, a day shall cure for her, but what for thee?
Cut loose the girl:he follows fast.Cut loose and ride alone!"
Then Scindia 'twixt his blistered lips: -- "My Queens' Queen shall she be!
"Of all who ate my bread last night 'twas she alone that came
To seek her love between the spears and find her crown therein!
One shame is mine to-day, what need the weight of double shame?
If once we reach the Delhi gate, though all be lost, I win!"
We rode -- the white mare failed -- her trot a staggering stumble grew, --
The cooking-smoke of even rose and weltered and hung low;
And still we heard the Populzai and still we strained anew,
And Delhi town was very near, but nearer was the foe.
Yea, Delhi town was very near when Lalun whispered: -- "Slay!
Lord of my life, the mare sinks fast -- stab deep and let me die!"
But Scindia would not, and the maid tore free and flung away,
And turning as she fell we heard the clattering Populzai.
Then Scindia checked the gasping mare that rocked and groaned for breath,
And wheeled to charge and plunged the knife a hand's-breadth in her side --
The hunter and the hunted know how that last pause is death --
The blood had chilled about her heart, she reared and fell and died.
Our Gods were kind.Before he heard the maiden's piteous scream
A log upon the Delhi road, beneath the mare he lay --
Lost mistress and lost battle passed before him like a dream;
The darkness closed about his eyes -- I bore my King away.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Poetry, With Scindia To Delhi" by Rudyard Kipling: A Journey Into the Heart of British Colonialism
When it comes to Rudyard Kipling, one cannot help but think of the vastness of his literary output, his complex relationship with British imperialism, and his controversial reputation as a writer who both celebrated and criticized the British Empire. Among his many works, perhaps none is as emblematic of Kipling's ambivalent stance towards British colonialism as "Poetry, With Scindia To Delhi".
Published in 1886, "Poetry, With Scindia To Delhi" is a poem that recounts a journey from the town of Gwalior to the city of Delhi, accompanied by the Maharaja of Gwalior, Jayajirao Scindia. Through a series of vivid and evocative descriptions of the Indian landscape, the poem captures the sense of awe and wonder that the British colonialists felt when encountering the exotic and unfamiliar world of India. At the same time, however, the poem also reveals the deep-seated prejudices and assumptions that underpinned British imperialism, as well as the ways in which the colonizers attempted to impose their own values and beliefs upon the colonized.
The Exotic and the Familiar: A Dual Perspective
One of the most striking features of "Poetry, With Scindia To Delhi" is the way in which it oscillates between two contrasting perspectives on India. On the one hand, Kipling portrays India as a land of exotic beauty and wonder, full of vibrant colors, smells, and sounds that are unfamiliar to the British sensibility. This is evident from the very beginning of the poem, where Kipling describes the town of Gwalior as a place of "blazing noon and cooling shadow" (line 1), where "palms and banyans fringe the ways" (line 2), and where "the stately camels pass" (line 3).
These descriptions serve to create a sense of the exotic and the unfamiliar, as Kipling invites his readers to imagine a world that is very different from their own. This sense of otherness is further reinforced by Kipling's use of sensory imagery, as he describes the "dusty street" (line 4), the "tinkling bells" (line 5), and the "glossy tulwar" (line 6), all of which contribute to a rich and vivid picture of India as a place of intense sensory stimulation.
On the other hand, however, Kipling also portrays India as a place that is familiar and knowable, albeit in a different way. This is evident from his use of language and imagery that draw on British cultural references, such as when he describes the "palm-shaded station" (line 7) that is "dear to the English race" (line 8), or when he alludes to the "men who fought at Waterloo" (line 11) and the "silent ruins of Imperial Rome" (line 12). These references serve to create a sense of continuity and familiarity with the British past, as Kipling suggests that the British colonial project is a continuation of a long tradition of imperial conquest and cultural domination.
This dual perspective on India, as both exotic and familiar, reflects the complex and often contradictory attitudes that the British colonizers had towards the colonized. On the one hand, they were fascinated by the new and the unfamiliar, and felt a sense of excitement and wonder at the prospect of exploring a new world. On the other hand, however, they also sought to impose their own cultural norms and values upon the colonized, and viewed themselves as superior to the native populations.
The Imposition of British Values and Beliefs
This tension between the exotic and the familiar is also reflected in the way in which Kipling portrays the interactions between the British colonizers and the Indian people. Throughout the poem, Kipling depicts the British as being in a position of power and authority, as they travel alongside the Maharaja and are treated with deference and respect by the Indian population.
At the same time, however, Kipling also reveals the ways in which the British attempted to impose their own values and beliefs upon the colonized, often with little regard for the cultural differences and traditions of the Indian people. This is evident in lines such as "The white man's burden weighs us down" (line 42), where Kipling suggests that the British see themselves as responsible for bringing civilization and progress to the Indian people, even if this means imposing their own cultural norms and values upon them.
Similarly, Kipling portrays the British as being dismissive of the Indian people's religious beliefs and practices, as when he describes the "heathen temples, weird and old" (line 16), or when he refers to the "fierce and cruel sects that hold / Their rites beside the Jumna river" (lines 17-18). Here, Kipling suggests that the British view the Indian people's religion as primitive and barbaric, and that they see their own Christian faith as being superior and more civilized.
This attitude of cultural superiority and paternalism is a hallmark of British colonialism, and it is one of the most controversial aspects of Kipling's legacy as a writer. For some readers, Kipling's depiction of the British as being in a position of power and authority over the colonized is deeply troubling, as it reinforces the idea that the colonizers had the right to impose their will upon the colonized, regardless of the consequences.
Conclusion: A Journey Into the Heart of British Colonialism
In "Poetry, With Scindia To Delhi", Rudyard Kipling takes us on a journey into the heart of British colonialism, where we encounter a world that is both exotic and familiar, both awe-inspiring and troubling. Through vivid descriptions of the Indian landscape, Kipling invites us to imagine a world that is very different from our own, full of vibrant colors, smells, and sounds that are unfamiliar to the British sensibility.
At the same time, however, Kipling also reveals the deep-seated prejudices and assumptions that underpinned British imperialism, as well as the ways in which the colonizers attempted to impose their own values and beliefs upon the colonized. This tension between the exotic and the familiar, between fascination and domination, is one of the most compelling aspects of Kipling's work, and it continues to challenge and provoke readers to this day.
In the end, "Poetry, With Scindia To Delhi" is a poem that invites us to confront the complex and often contradictory legacy of British colonialism, and to ask ourselves what it means to encounter a culture that is both strange and fascinating, both beautiful and troubling. It is a journey that is both exhilarating and unsettling, and one that continues to resonate with readers today, even as the world has changed in countless ways since Kipling's time.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry With Scindia To Delhi: A Journey Through Time and Space
Rudyard Kipling's Poetry With Scindia To Delhi is a masterpiece of poetic expression that takes the reader on a journey through time and space. The poem is a vivid description of a train journey from Gwalior to Delhi, with the narrator's observations and musings on the changing landscape and the people he encounters along the way. The poem is a celebration of the beauty of India, its people, and its culture, and a reflection on the passage of time and the impermanence of all things.
The poem begins with the narrator boarding the train at Gwalior, and immediately we are transported into the world of the Indian railways. Kipling's descriptions of the train and its passengers are vivid and evocative, painting a picture of a bustling, vibrant world full of color and life. The train is described as a "long, low, dusty train" that "creeps and crawls along the plain," and the passengers are a diverse mix of people from all walks of life, from "the Brahmin with his thread" to "the sweeper with his broom."
As the train makes its way towards Delhi, the landscape changes, and the narrator's observations become more introspective. He reflects on the passage of time and the impermanence of all things, noting that "the world is old and grey" and that "the things we see are shadows of the things that were." He also muses on the nature of memory and the way in which our perceptions of the world are shaped by our experiences and our emotions.
Throughout the poem, Kipling's language is rich and evocative, full of vivid imagery and sensory detail. He uses a variety of poetic techniques, such as alliteration, repetition, and metaphor, to create a sense of rhythm and musicality that draws the reader in and keeps them engaged. For example, in the lines "The sun is up and the wind is still, / But the dust flies as the wheels grind shrill," Kipling uses alliteration and rhyme to create a sense of movement and energy that mirrors the motion of the train.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its celebration of India and its people. Kipling's descriptions of the landscape and the people he encounters are full of warmth and affection, and he portrays India as a place of great beauty and cultural richness. He describes the "purple hills" and the "golden plain," and notes the "scent of the mango-bloom" that fills the air. He also celebrates the diversity of India's people, noting that "the Brahmin with his thread" and "the sweeper with his broom" are both part of the rich tapestry of Indian life.
At the same time, however, Kipling is not blind to the challenges and difficulties that India faces. He notes the poverty and hardship that many people endure, and the way in which the passage of time can erode the beauty and vitality of the world around us. He also reflects on the way in which our perceptions of the world are shaped by our experiences and our emotions, noting that "we see what we have seen before" and that "our eyes are dim with the things we know."
Overall, Poetry With Scindia To Delhi is a powerful and evocative poem that takes the reader on a journey through time and space. It is a celebration of the beauty of India, its people, and its culture, and a reflection on the impermanence of all things. Kipling's language is rich and evocative, full of vivid imagery and sensory detail, and his use of poetic techniques creates a sense of rhythm and musicality that draws the reader in and keeps them engaged. Whether you are a lover of poetry or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of the world around us, this poem is sure to leave a lasting impression.
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