In late eighteenth century\n India, the Mughal Empire under Shah Alam was in the midst of its slow and\n painful decline. The country was swarming with European mercenaries, soldiers\n and adventurers who came to make their fortunes by participating in the numerous\n power-struggles occurring throughout the land.Begum Sumroo: A Play in Three\n Acts is the story of a Swiss-German soldier-of-fortune, Colonel Walter\n Reinhardt who commanded one of the best training brigades in the country and\n of an impoverished Indian dancing girl who took over the brigade to make it\n the most efficient force in India, never losing a battle, wooed by both the\n English and French and leading a life more extraordinary than any man of her\n time.