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