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THE STORY OF
THE INDIAN MUTINY
CHAPTER I
INDIA: ITS PEOPLES AND RULERS
A troubled history has all along been that
of the great tongue of land which, occupying the
same position in Asia as Italy in Europe, is equal
to half our continent, with a population growing
towards three hundred millions. Far back into
fabulous ages, we see it threatened by mythical
or shadowy conquerors, Hercules, Semiramis,
Sesostris, Cyrus; whelmed beneath inroads of
nameless warriors from Central Asia; emerging
first into historical distinctness with Alexander
the Great's expedition to the valley of the Indus,
from which came that familiar name given to
dark-skinned races on both sides of the globe.
Our era brought in new wars of spoil or of
