Cigars of the Pharaoh: Discontent among the citizens of Gaipajama?

At the end of Cigars of the Pharaoh, p. 61, there's a parade headed by the Maharaja himself, and other high personalities of the realm. All of them scorted by some guards. The people are not cheering at all (except for our two friends suffering from dementia). Even the guards (see the one carrying a ladder) seem too serious, angry-like. Are the people of Gaipajama not satisfied with their ruler? Perhaps they resented that the Maharaja ended with the opium trade, thus hurting their agrarian economy?

I haven't noticed it before, but yes, you're right. I can see some are vaguely smiling, but they don't seem to be too cheerful.

In the black-and-white facsimile (page 127), they are more vigourous - some of them look like they are shouting, and others are waving their arms.