This is an IHeart podcast.

Welcome to Aaron Menke's Cabinet of Curiosity's, A production of IHeart Radio and grim and mild.

Our world is full of the unexplainable. And if history is an open book, all of these

amazing tales are right there on display, just waiting for us to explore. Welcome to the

Cabinet of Curiosity's. It probably goes without saying that the British conquest of India was the result of decades of ruthless subterfuge.

First arriving on the subcontinent under the guise of simple traders, the British bargained and

betrayed their way into being the only European

power operating in India. They then worked to undermine the Indian government itself.

In 1802, a loose confederation of Indian princes went to war with one another, and Britain used

this as an opportunity to justify their takeover. They offered protection to the losing

prince, claiming that he was the rightful ruler of India, and then they launched an assault on

Central India that would cement their control. One of the defining battles of this campaign

was the Battle of Assay, where British forces were led by Major General Sir Arthur Wellesley.

Although he was Irish, not English by birth, he embodied the ruthless efficiency of British

forces, though he would soon find that his victories came at the cost of his soul.

Major Wellesley awoke at the crack of dawn and ordered his troops on the march.

They raced across the hills of India, hoping to catch the retreating Indian Army.

The Major wanted to prove himself by defeating them in battle.

His older brother was the British governor of India, and so he had a personal stake in this,

as well as professional.

He wanted to bring honor to his family name, not stopping

to think what he was doing to the country. It just didn't occur to him that he was bringing

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