Cruelty of British n their Baptism Tactics

She is Gouramma, daughter of Chikka Virarajendra, last ruler of Coorg. British, by deceit, annexed many kingdoms into their dominion. They deposed Virarajendra, took him political prisoner in Benares in 1834, confiscated his wealth #T1

Later the king demanded for his wealth from the East India Company in a court in England in 1852, but in vain. When in England, Queen Victoria took Gouramma, then aged 11, under her care and baptized her, converting her to Christianity. #Thread2

Right image of Gouramma, painting by German painter Franz Xaver Winterhalter, features her in Indian attire n holding Bible.

We have Hindu royalty who never went against Dharma. There are many examples from History. Aurangzeb had a son named Akbar who rebelled for supremacy. #T3

For some time Akbar’s children, son-daughter -Aurangzeb’s grandchildren, were under care of Durgadas Rathore (who preserved Rathore dynasty of Marwar). Durgadas had rescued Marwar prince Ajit Singh from Aurangzeb's clutches n saved him from getting converted to Islam. #Thread4

But despite knowing about d schemes n treacheries of Mughals, he did not go against his Dharma when taking care of Aurangzeb’s grandchildren. Durgadas arranged for their education and raised them as Musalmans. He could have easily converted them to Hinduism but did not do so. #T5

Later when Aurangzeb asked for them, he sent them back to the Mughal court. Even Aurangzeb was amazed and astonished when he got to know about this act of Durgadas. But did this act change Aurangzeb? No! He remained intolerant to Hindus! Similar were actions of British. #Thread6

Durgadas Rathore’s story of valor of saving the Marwar throne is described in #SaffronSwords ( https://www.amazon.in/Saffron-Swords-Authors-Manoshi-Yogaditya/dp/B07Q139493).

But what did Queen Victoria do for Gouramma? She did not let her continue her faith and converted her. Notice the gloom reflected in both the images #Thread7

(left image a click by Roger Fenton) attached of Gouramma. Queen Victoria did something more cruel. She got Gouramma married to Lt. Col. John Campbell, already married n 30 years older to her. Gouramma was 17. She gave birth to a daughter at age 20 and died at the age of 23. #T8

Even Maharaja Duleep Singh, youngest son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, was under the care of Queen Victoria. He was converted to Christianity before he was 15. Later when matured, Duleep Singh reconverted back to Sikhism.

#Thread9

There r 1000s of baptism tactics n cruelty of British in pages of History, both reported and unreported. And conversion tactics still continue in independent India, right in front of our eyes. As usual, we watch like silent spectators, with only counted few raising a voice. #T10