Indian March of Paul
The Indian March of Paul (Russian: Индийский поход Павла, romanized: Indiyskiy pokhod Pavla) was an ultimately unrealized plan by the Russian Empire and French First Republic to invade the British East India Company's possessions in India. It was abandoned following the assassination of Paul I of Russia in March 1801.
Though Russia and
Secret plans
The secret plan of the expedition, as preserved in the Russian archives, envisaged the joint operations of two
At the
The Indian March was designed to mimic the failed French invasion of Egypt and Syria, with engineers, painters and scientists taking part. Also meticulously devised was the public relations side of the Indian expedition. For example, the instructions for trade with the local peoples included the recommendation to sell the cloths "of the colorings most liked by the Asians". The expeditionary force was to have in stock a reserve of fireworks for festive illuminations.
Outcome
In January 1801, the
In his book about
When Orlov's modest Cossack contingent had advanced as far south as the Aral Sea, they received news of the emperor's assassination. The Indian March was brought to a halt, and before long the Cossacks were commanded to retreat. It is conjectured, without evidence, that the Pahlen plot to assassinate the emperor was triggered by the Indian adventure, given that the high-placed Russian officials did not approve of it, and their conspiracy was supported by British diplomats in Russia.
Assessment
The British public learned about the incident years later, but it firmly imprinted on the popular consciousness, contributing to feelings of mutual suspicion and distrust associated with the Great Game. Hugh Seton-Watson observes that "the grotesque plan had no military significance, but at least showed its author's state of mind".[3] This assessment is echoed by Hopkirk who remarks that "no serious thought or study has been given to this wild adventure".[2]
See also
- Duhamel plan (1854)
- Khrulev plan (1855)
References
- ^ Schroeder 1987, p. 245.
- ^ ISBN 1-56836-022-3. Page 29.
- ^ Seton-Watson, Hugh. The Russian Empire, 1801-1917. Oxford University Press, 1967. Page 67.
Literature
- Schroeder, Paul W. (1987). "The Collapse of the Second Coalition". Journal of Modern History. 59 (2). The University of Chicago Press: 244–290. S2CID 144734206. Retrieved 25 February 2022.