Arriving in India

The three stops Queen Victoria had chosen were, in fact, the last things she wanted to do for the British Empire and Arthur.

Stopping at the Suez Canal and India would stabilize the Indian people's morale and strengthen the British Empire's rule over India.

Stopping in Australia, meanwhile, was clearly meant to lend Arthur her support and give him a solid foundation in Australia.

March 29, 1900.

After half a month of sailing, the fleet finally reached Calcutta, the capital of the Indian Empire.

India had originally been administered by the British East India Company. The various princely states were nominally independent while recognizing the King of Britain as their common sovereign.

But after the Indian Rebellion, the British East India Company had fulfilled its mission and transferred power to Queen Victoria.

Queen Victoria had formally been crowned Empress of India in 1876, establishing the Indian Empire.

From then on, India had completely shed its previous status as half-independent and half-colonial, becoming a full colony of the British Empire.

The current Viceroy of India was George Curzon, who was famous for partitioning Bengal, sending troops north, and demarcating the Persian-Russian border.

Around noon, the fleet successfully docked at the port of Calcutta. Arthur and Queen Victoria, who had been rushing about aboard ship for half a month, could finally go ashore and get some fresh air.

Although the yacht the British Government had prepared for Queen Victoria and Arthur was extremely luxurious, equipped with all kinds of facilities, it even had two small gardens and a swimming pool.

Still, it had to be said that life aboard a yacht was ultimately no substitute for life on land. Arthur had been living quite well, but he was still eager to set foot on solid ground.

At the port, the governor, George, who had learned of their arrival long ago, came forward to greet them alongside General Kitchener, the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army.

"Your Imperial Majesty, Your Grace." The two men bowed in succession.

Because Queen Victoria also held the title of Empress of India, the two men deliberately used the honorific for an empress when saluting her, rather than that for a queen.

"Marquess George, General Kitchener, it has been a long time." Queen Victoria smiled as she replied to them.

Governor George Curzon and General Kitchener both had one particularly obvious trait: they were highly capable men, and each had his own unique understanding of matters.

Yet two people like that would often come into conflict in some area. That was exactly what had happened in the original history.

Because Governor George and General Kitchener had disagreed and fallen out, both of them had been dismissed and recalled to Britain five years later, in 1905.

But those minor flaws could not conceal their talents. After returning to Britain, Governor George had also served in important Cabinet positions such as Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal, Member of the War Cabinet, and Foreign Secretary.

As for General Kitchener, he had been made a field marshal in 1909 and appointed Secretary of State for War. Before World War I, he had also recruited a large number of volunteers without the Cabinet's consent. Though that suggested a degree of arbitrariness and despotism, Britain had indeed been able to maintain a large professional army capable of fighting Germany to the bitter end thanks to his far-sightedness.

"George, it has been two years since you last returned to Britain, hasn't it? You've been in India the whole time. Sorry for the trouble." Queen Victoria smiled at Governor George as she offered her words of concern.

"Yes, Your Majesty. It has been two years. But I have not found it troublesome. India is one of the most important regions in the entire Empire. It is my honor to be appointed Viceroy of India by Your Majesty, and I must not betray Your Majesty's trust or allow India to fall into crisis," Governor George said solemnly.

"Very good. India's stability will continue to depend on you and General Kitchener working together to maintain it. I hope that this dazzling pearl of India will not be dimmed in your hands." Queen Victoria smiled in satisfaction as she spoke.

Queen Victoria trusted Governor George's abilities. Otherwise, she would never have appointed him Viceroy of India at the age of thirty-nine, an extremely young age for a politician, to such an important position.

"General Kitchener, your achievements in South Africa have been remarkable. The people are delighted to call you Britain's hero." Queen Victoria smiled at General Kitchener as she spoke.

"I merely did what I ought to do, Your Majesty." General Kitchener gave a military salute as he replied.

"Regardless, you have indeed rendered meritorious service to the British Empire. I had originally planned to reward you after you returned to Britain, but I think it would be better to do so directly on this occasion." Queen Victoria smiled as she spoke.

Then Queen Victoria immediately wiped the smile from her face and turned solemn. She said gravely, "General Kitchener, Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army!"

"Present, Your Majesty."

"In view of your outstanding contributions in Egypt and South Africa, I bestow upon you the title of Baron of Khartoum and permit you to return to Britain once this year for a visit. In addition, these fifty thousand pounds are your reward. The Empire never forgets those who have rendered meritorious service to it." The Queen spoke solemnly.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty and the Empire!" General Kitchener took the fifty thousand pounds in banknotes handed over by a servant, excitement showing faintly on his face.

The fifty thousand pounds were not the true reason for General Kitchener's excitement. It was the barony that moved this highly capable soldier.

Although a baron was merely the lowest rung of the traditional aristocratic system, above it stood four ranks: viscount, earl, marquess, and duke.

In reality, however, because of cultural differences, the ranks of nobility varied among Europe's monarchical states.

In Britain, for example, the peerage generally consisted of baron, viscount, earl, duke, prince, and king. For a commoner to be made a baron or viscount through merit was already exceedingly difficult.

Ordinary earldoms and dukedoms were inherited by members of the royal family or established noble houses. Commoners had no chance of laying claim to them.

After the brief welcoming ceremony, Queen Victoria rode in a carriage with Arthur and moved into George's viceregal residence.

The Guard Army, meanwhile, was stationed outside Calcutta, leaving behind only a small force of more than two hundred guards to ensure Queen Victoria's safety at all times.

Unlike at the other places, Queen Victoria would remain in India for three days. First, she would inspect the results of India's work during this period. Second, she would take a short rest, while allowing the fleet to replenish its supplies.

After all, considering Queen Victoria's advanced age of over eighty, although there was no shortage of supplies aboard the yacht, the rocking life at sea was still rather exhausting for Her Majesty the Queen.

Especially after enduring a sea voyage lasting half a month, it was time for Queen Victoria to rest for a few days.

Only after everyone had disembarked did the transport fleet's sailors begin carrying supplies aboard, ensuring that the ship's coal and provisions would last until the next destination, Australia.