The aim of this book is to show the reader the gradual change of the roll of the British in India from merchant to ruler, from having a tenuous toehold on trading sites on the coast by permission of the local ruler to becoming the paramount power, putting down and setting up princes. All this was achieved with the aid of the native soldier, the sepoy, who, properly led was more than a match for the troops of the native princes, as is evidenced by the disparity in the number of troops which so often faced the British, good generalship of course made all the difference, and with certain lamentable exceptions the British generals were superb leaders of men. It is often said of a general that his men would follow him anywhere, this was meant literally, British officers led their men from the front.
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