As we reached Mumbai, the bustling city came into view, teeming with life. According to our intelligence organization, around 450,000 people resided in Mumbai alone, creating a vibrant, chaotic atmosphere.
The streets were filled with traders, labourers, and families, all navigating their daily lives amidst the growing din of industry.
Mumbai was already on the path to industrialization, its skyline dotted with factories and warehouses—starkly contrasting the rural landscapes I had recently traversed.
The smell of coal and machinery filled the air, mingling with the aromas of street food vendors offering their wares to passersby. The city was a melting pot of cultures, languages, and aspirations, embodying our people's hopes and hardships.
Yet, beneath this facade of progress lay the deep scars of British exploitation.
The wealth generated by industry seemed to flow exclusively to the colonial masters, leaving the labourers in squalor, struggling to make ends meet. It was a poignant reminder of the inequality that fueled my resolve to fight against oppression.
Despite the city's vibrancy, I couldn't shake the feeling of urgency that permeated the air. Every corner turned seemed to whisper stories of resistance and resilience, echoing the hopes of those yearning for freedom. My time in Mumbai would be brief but crucial. I needed to assess the situation, gather intelligence, and perhaps even sow the seeds of revolution among the people here.
As we settled in, I began to plan our next steps. Sufiyan and I discussed our strategy over a modest meal, our eyes scanning the crowd for potential allies who shared our vision. I knew that this city, with its pulse of energy and potential for revolt, would play a vital role in the upcoming struggle for independence.
I had several important tasks to accomplish during our stay.
First, I needed to meet with the governor. While I planned this meeting, I also wanted to explore the city.
One of my top priorities was to check on the railway construction progress. Railways were pivotal for our plans, so I asked Sufiyan to contact the owners of Lux—Babu Ram Narayan, Kishore Lal, and Raja Jai Ram—to see if we could acquire some shares in the railway project. This would not only benefit our business but also position us favourably within the growing infrastructure of the country.
Additionally, I instructed Sufiyan to seek out patriotic merchants willing to help us establish a trading company in Mumbai. This company would be crucial for transporting goods and resources, ensuring that our operations remained independent of the British East India Company.
While in the city, I also wanted to explore the textile factories. The modern clothing market was rapidly expanding, and I believed we could create something unique. I provided Sufiyan with ideas for modern clothing, including suits, pants, jeans, shirts, and t-shirts. This venture could serve both as a profitable business and a means to empower our people by providing them with jobs.
The next day, the first thing I did was visit the governor. It was a customary visit, mainly for show, to demonstrate that royalty was engaging with a British officer, which seemed to boost their egos as they believed we were beneath them.
After the visit, I returned to the hotel, where I found Sufiyan discussing something with a group of individuals. I assumed it was related to our plans from yesterday, so I chose not to interrupt. Instead, I headed to my room for a quick nap.
When I woke up, Sufiyan was already waiting for me. He informed me that he had found two suitable candidates for the transportation company. The first was Rajan Deshmukh, an already well-established businessman who knew how to leverage connections and manage various stakeholders. He had the capital and resources but needed our connections to establish the transportation company, which we could easily provide.
"I trust your judgment," I told Sufiyan. "Just ensure that the plan is executed extensively."
For the fashion brand, we decided to collaborate with Meera Nair, a young woman passionate about independence. Her father was a British-appointed officer, giving her essential connections. After further discussions, we agreed to move forward with both partnerships.
We decided to name the transportation company "Mumbai Express" and the clothing line after a similar approach as Lux, calling it "Peter England."
Once the planning was complete, Sufiyan left to ensure everything was implemented correctly and without hiccups. I, too, set off to explore various places and sites around Mumbai. In the market, I saw Lux's new products, which were primarily being purchased by wealthy merchants and Englishmen. This brought a smile to my face; it seemed my plans were coming to fruition.
I also realized that I needed to name our intelligence organization; I couldn't just keep calling it "intelligence organization." (Readers, please suggest some names!)
It took a week to finalize the Mumbai Express and Peter England plans.
As everything fell into place, we boarded a ship to Travancore. During our time in Mumbai, Sufiyan also wrote a letter to Babu Ram Narayan, Kishore Lal, and Raja Jai Ram to inquire about purchasing some railway shares in the name of Lux.