Flora and Kusum Political policy, when applied by men who are liberal and farsighted, leads to the strengthening of relations between political leaders of different states. If two kings have friendly relations they find ways of coming closer to strengthen these mutually beneficial ties; if they are enemies they seek proximity to find each other’s weaknesses. During the reign of Emperor Akbar, he had friendly relations with Rajput kings and many Rajput women joined the imperial zenana. In the present period the English do not follow this policy. There are many reasons for this. But those kings, or their officials who form relations of inter-dining with the English, derive benefits of this closeness. The Rajputs are free, according to both Shastras and custom, to have social relations within the four varnas and also outside of them. This arrangement has been made to enable such social intercourse as is necessary for the benefit of political policy. The English open up their hearts during dinner table conversations; they are rarely so open on other occasions. Their religious leaders and their women also create possibilities of social closeness, which is otherwise not possible. Mallaraj had therefore advised Maniraj that he should have an Englishwoman as a companion for queen Kamlavati. Maniraj, after he assumed the throne, realised the usefulness of his father’s advice. Shastras place no prohibition on the kshatriyas with regard to inter-dining just as the brahmins are free to acquire knowledge from any source. Kshatriyas are like brahmins when it concerns the acquisition of political knowledge and statecraft. At the present time political education and statecraft are equated with

English education. As a source of knowledge English has a position of primacy and reverence in our palaces. These days many debauched and evil practices are found among our princes and palace officials which are sought to be legitimised and sanctioned by customs. These practices hamper the growth and functioning of native states. Mallaraj had formulated a maxim, that customs are contingent upon time. He had taken measures to ensure that this maxim was followed in his palace and by his officials and that no customs contrary to this maxim were allowed to take root in his court. This was done to ensure that conservative and retrograde practices do not impede statecraft. For this reason the palace of Ratnanagari had instituted Sanskrit learning. Following the same logic Maniraj decided to open the doors to English education. Vidya Chatura welcomed the proposal. The widow of Colonel Brave was approached to send a high-born, virtuous and learned tutor from England. She recommended Miss Flora, who was about twenty-five years of age. For the past one year or so, Miss Flora had been the queen’s tutor. Honouring her husband’s wishes, the queen had enthusiastically participated in this project, willingly abdicating her higher status to adopt the role of a student. Gunasundari, deep in grief after Kumud’s death, had been negligent about nurturing Kusum’s intellectual development. On her frequent visits to Gunasundari, Kamlavati observed this and,