Negotiations with the British (Part I )

The next day at noon, Karan and his father were seated in the living room, engaged in casual conversation. The sunlight streamed through the grand windows, casting a golden glow over the intricately carved furniture. The palace was peaceful, but both men knew that the discussion they were about to have would shape Kashmir's future.

A knock at the door interrupted their discussion. Hari Singh's butler, Ram Singh, entered and bowed.

Mahadev: "Your Highness, Colonel W.L. Webb has arrived. Shall I send him in?"

Hari Singh: "Yes, allow him to enter."

The doors swung open, and Colonel W.L. Webb, a tall British officer with a neatly trimmed mustache, stepped inside. He carried himself with the air of authority typical of British officers in India. His eyes briefly assessed the room before landing on Maharaja Hari Singh.

Colonel Webb: "Your Highness, it is always a pleasure. I must say, I was intrigued when I received your invitation. What can I do for you today?"

Hari Singh: smiling "Colonel Webb, please take a seat. We have much to discuss. Would you care for some refreshments?"

A servant soon arrived, setting a tray with tea and Kashmiri delicacies before their guest. Webb took a sip, nodding in appreciation before speaking.

Colonel Webb: "This is fine tea. Now, to business—what is it that you wish to discuss?"

Hari Singh: "We are considering expanding our army in preparation for any internal rebellions and to offer support to the British war effort in World War II. I would like British officers to oversee the training of our new recruits."

Colonel Webb: "An interesting proposal. How many men are you planning to add?"

Hari Singh: "We plan to increase our forces from 11,000 to 18,000—adding 7,000 new troops."

Colonel Webb: raising an eyebrow "A significant expansion, indeed. And what of the officers? British expertise does not come for free, Your Highness. We will require compensation for the officers we send."

Hari Singh: "Naturally, I am willing to pay. Our priority is efficiency and discipline."

Colonel Webb: "Very well. I will make arrangements for officers to be sent."

Hari Singh: "There is another matter I wish to discuss. We would like to relocate between 10,000 to 20,000 Bengali laborers to Kashmir. The famine in Bengal has left many desperate, and this will help relieve the strain on British administration while benefiting Kashmir's growing industries."

Colonel Webb: leaning forward, intrigued "And what kind of labor will these men be engaged in?"

Hari Singh: "We will employ them primarily for infrastructure projects, with a focus on the construction of a road network from Jammu to Srinagar. This road will serve dual purposes—it will facilitate the movement of military supplies, increasing our ability to respond to security threats, and it will also boost economic activity by improving trade routes."

Colonel Webb: taking a slow sip of tea "A road from Jammu to Srinagar? That is quite an ambitious undertaking. Are you certain you have the means to manage such a project?"

Hari Singh: "This is not just a road; it is the foundation of Kashmir's modernization. With proper infrastructure, we can enhance military logistics, trade efficiency, and regional connectivity. The laborers will not only assist in road construction but will also work in cement manufacturing, brick kilns, and timber processing to provide the necessary materials for long-term development."

Colonel Webb: nodding thoughtfully "You make a compelling argument. Providing employment to displaced laborers would indeed be a humanitarian effort, which could reflect positively on British governance as well. But tell me, what measures will be taken to ensure that this influx of laborers does not lead to unrest?"

Hari Singh: "We have already planned a strict settlement policy. The laborers will be housed in designated camps, supervised by both Kashmiri and British officials to prevent disorder. In addition, they will be given temporary work permits, ensuring that they remain engaged in productive labor without disrupting local populations. Once their contracts are completed, we will assess their integration into the workforce based on their skills and contributions."

Colonel Webb: stroking his chin "A well-structured plan, indeed. If managed properly, this could reduce strain on Bengal while contributing to Kashmir's development. I assume your son has further details on the execution of this plan?"

Hari Singh: gesturing to Karan "Yes, Karan has been overseeing the logistical framework."

Karan: greeting Webb with a nod "Colonel, our plan is to construct a four-lane hybrid road from Jammu to Srinagar, using a combination of cement and tar for durability. The road will be designed to accommodate heavy military transport, commercial trade, and civilian travel. It will serve as a critical lifeline for Kashmir, ensuring connectivity across the region while also enhancing British logistical capabilities."

Karan: "The first phase will focus on constructing the road from Jammu to Banihal Pass, with a target completion date between 1945 and 1946. This segment is particularly important because Banihal Pass is one of the biggest obstacles to year-round connectivity. Once this is completed, we will proceed with the final stretch to Srinagar."

Colonel Webb: eyebrows rising "That is ambitious. Road-building in this terrain will not be easy. The Himalayas pose significant engineering challenges. How do you plan to manage that?"

Karan: "We will deploy high-altitude labor teams, including trained Bengali workers, local masons, and military engineers. To streamline operations, we will establish temporary camps along the route, ensuring steady progress without delays. In addition, we are setting up cement factories in Khrew and Wuyan, which will supply the necessary materials at a lower cost and create a self-sustaining supply chain."

Colonel Webb: leaning forward "And what about the costs? A project of this magnitude does not come cheap. How do you intend to finance it?"

Karan: "We have allocated a budget of one crore rupees for the first phase. To reduce expenses, we are manufacturing key construction materials locally and integrating existing road networks where possible. Our investment will cover land acquisition, labor costs, and materials, while British investment would ensure technical expertise, machinery imports, and additional labor reinforcements if needed."

Karan: "Out of the one crore rupees, we are willing to invest 60 lakhs. We request that the British government invest the remaining 40 lakhs, as this road will also serve British interests in military movement. Additionally, we propose setting up joint oversight committees, ensuring transparency and efficiency in execution."

Colonel Webb: nodding slowly "A well-structured plan indeed. If executed correctly, it would not only benefit Kashmir but also enhance British military supply routes. Still, such a project carries risks. How do you plan to handle security and potential insurgencies along the route?"

Karan: "Security will be a top priority. We will establish military outposts along key sections, ensuring safe passage for supplies and personnel. Additionally, local recruitment drives will allow us to integrate trained security forces into the construction teams, providing additional protection against sabotage or disruptions."

Colonel Webb: after a long pause "This is a bold initiative, young prince. If successful, it could redefine Kashmir's strategic importance. I will need to consult with my superiors, but I must admit—I am very interested in this proposal."

Colonel Webb sat back in his chair, visibly surprised. He had expected minor requests for military training, but this was a large-scale infrastructure project with economic and strategic significance.

Colonel Webb: after a long pause "I must admit, this is beyond what I expected. Roads of such scale are usually managed by British engineers. Your plan is bold, but I see the strategic and economic benefits."

He set his teacup down and looked directly at Hari Singh and Karan.

Colonel Webb: "Why should we invest in this project? What guarantees do we have that this will serve British interests?"