Chapter 352 French India
"It's been nearly five years since my last visit to India," Francis noted, looking around with interest. "Everything seems so different now compared to back then."
He recalled his previous experiences, thinking about how there used to be almost no infrastructure. "Last time I was here, there weren't any paved roads, and people got around using horse-drawn carriages," he commented, his tone matter-of-fact.
"But now look around you. Modern civilization has graced the lands of India. Automobiles, trams, railways, everything's changed so quickly. The city has evolved," Francis continued, his voice steady and observational. "There's a network of roads now, and the horse-drawn carriages are mostly gone, replaced by cars and buses."
He noted the hustle and bustle around him, especially the construction of buildings. A clear sign of progress and development.
"It's busier and noisier," he mused.
"This is my first time in India so I can't relate," Daphne said nonchalantly. "The White Man Burden is indeed taxing. Imagine having to introduce modernity to an inferior "civilization and having to oversee their development," Daphne continued, her tone unconcerned and matter-of-fact. "It's quite a responsibility."
Francis shot her a quick glance, noticing the bluntness in her words. His little sister may be beautiful, but deep inside, she is highly patriotic and overzealous on the idea of Western supremacy. Not that he cared about it or anything, but he was also a fan of the idea of Western supremacy. He only considered European nations as equal to France but the rest of the world. They only exist to be exploited for the benefit of the West.
"We are arriving at the Governor's Palace," Eugène announced and Francis and Daphne looked ahead and saw a looming, under-construction palace, before them. Their eyes widen as they take in the sight. It was massive, probably bigger than the Palace of Versailles.
Francis noted the Neo-baroque architecture, a style that was quite prevalent in Europe, which now stood tall in the heart of India. The intricate carvings, grand pillars, and impressive facade showcased a blend of Western influence and local craftsmanship.
As they neared closer to the Governor's Palace, they saw heavy-duty construction equipment such as cranes, bulldozers, and trucks scattered around the site. Workers, which mainly consisted of local Indians, were busy with their tasks, moving materials, and operating machinery.
"This is quite a massive undertaking," Daphne remarked, observing the hustle and bustle of the construction site."I can't even begin to imagine the amount of resources and manpower required for such a project.
"Well, the Emperor of France wanted India to be governed from a palace, not from a country house. I must agree because I see India being the crown jewel of the French Empire. It deserves a grand structure to showcase our power and influence here," Eugène responded, continuing Daphne's line of thought but giving it a slightly different direction. "An idea to which I agree with."
As the convoy stopped in front, the overseers nearby immediately barked orders, telling the workers to stop working and pay respects to the Imperial Prince and Princess of the French Empire.
The Indians obliged, fell on their knees, and bowed their heads, their actions swift and synchronized, showcasing the strict discipline instilled in them.
Daphne looked around, satisfied with the sight. However, there was one Indian man, who was seemingly in his twenties, who dared lock his gaze on her.
The overseer noticed it and quickly approached the Indian and whipped him across the back, yelling at him to show proper respect. The young man winced in pain but bowed his head immediately, joining his colleagues in their display of subservience.
It's a rule that no man or woman of lower status can look directly at the members of the royal family, let alone make eye contact. The overseer's action, though brutal, was a reinforcement of this unwritten law, aimed at maintaining the hierarchy and asserting dominance.
"How dare that Indian make eye contact with my little sister…" Francis growled.
"I will see to it that he'll be punished severely," Eugène said, bowing his head to Francis.
"No, that won't be necessary," Daphne said, stopping such thought. "It would be a waste of workers. You are going to need every man in India to complete this Palace. The man was just curious so I let that slide."
"Well, as much as possible, while we are here, don't interact with the locals, Your Imperial Highnesses. They should know their place, and we should maintain ours," Eugène advised, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the social hierarchy.
Daphne nodded in agreement, her expression unreadable. It was clear that she understood the social dynamics at play and was more than willing to play her part.
Francis agreed as well. Together, they went to the main entrance of the Governor's Palace. While walking around the Palace, Eugène started sharing the specifications of the Governor's Palace.
"The Governor's Palace is a masterpiece in its own right," Eugène began, his voice filled with a sense of pride. "Consisting of four floors and 340 rooms, it covers a massive floor area of 200,000 square feet or roughly 19,000 square meters."
He gestured towards the structure as he spoke, "It's estimated that about 1 billion bricks and 3,000,000 cubic feet of stone are used in its construction, and interestingly, very little steel has been used. So yes, it's bigger than the Palace of Versailles. Its construction will be finished next year and will serve as the official residence of the Viceroyalty of India, or during the Emperor's stay here in India where he'll attend his own coronation ceremony, taking the title, Emperor of India. Speaking of Emperor, please follow me, I'll lead you to the Durbar Hall,"
"Durbar Hall?" Daphne repeated, curious of the words.
"It's like a throne hall
, used for formal gatherings and state functions," Eugène explained as they made their way through the grand entrance.
The interior of the Governor's Palace was as impressive as its exterior, with high ceilings adorned with intricate artwork, marble floors, and grand chandeliers hanging from above. They walked through long hallways, passing by numerous rooms and chambers, each decorated with utmost precision and attention to detail.
As they approached the Durbar Hall, Eugène continued his explanation.
"The Durbar Hall is where the Viceroy, or the Emperor himself when he's here, would hold court, address the public on official matters, and meet with dignitaries."
They finally reached the Durbar Hall, and the grandeur of the room took their breath away. The hall was immense, with towering columns supporting a domed ceiling, and an elevated platform at the end where the throne was placed. The room was adorned with luxurious drapes, carpets, and paintings depicting Napoleon in different scenes.
"This is nice." Francis mused as he approached the throne.
The throne stood tall, with a high, curved backrest that was intricately carved with motifs of peacocks and lotus flowers. The carvings were detailed and delicate, and Gold leaf adorned the edges of the throne, adding a touch of opulence and luxury.
The seat and backrest were upholstered with rich, red velvet, embroidered with golden thread in elaborate patterns. The armrests were broad and cushioned, ensuring comfort without compromising on style. The legs of the throne were robust, carved from dark, polished wood, and ended in lion's paws.
Francis took a seat on the throne, testing it for himself. In the future, when his father abdicates the throne, Francis would take up the mantle of Emperor, and this very throne in the Governor's Palace of India would be one of the many seats of power he would inherit.
"Fits you quite well, Your Imperial Highness," Eugène remarked, observing Francis on the throne. "Though I didn't mean that our Great Emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte, is not fit. I apologize if I offended you," he added hastily, ensuring that his words were not misinterpreted.
Francis waved off his concerns, "No offense taken, Eugène. My father has many thrones, and I am merely trying this one out. Anyways, I'm sure you are aware that we are not going to stay here for a day. We'll be here for six hours just to see the construction as ordered by my father. And I see that it's progressing smoothly."
"At last, we are definitely going home this time!" Daphne exclaimed.
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