[quote=@Yam I Am]
<Snipped quote by Letter Bee>

I intended for the Empire to be in something of a limbo as of 1847 - Given how The Great Game tended to go, there'd be vested interests for both Russia and Britain to have cause for concern for a largely independent state in India that is quickly modernizing. For Britain, it might be a tough pill to swallow, but giving up some territory to the Empire in return for someone at least wiling to play ball with them might be a better bet than try to maintain a tenuous hold onto what they already have. For Russia, having someone who's [i]that[/i] big a thorn in the UK's side would definitely be a plus to them, but I don't imagine Russia would be too happy with super huge a counterweight in South Asia, either. In either case, having a powerful Indian substate who owes them a favor or two would be very helpful in diplomacy not just in India, but throughout the Middle East in its entirety. 
[/quote]

Which is true, indeed.