Indian Antiquary Vol 17

Author(s): John Faithfull Fleet, Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 65

FEBRUARY, 1888.]
ZAFARNAMA I RANJIT SINGH.
57
The Governor-General, having been in- was his well-wisher, und only observe the formed of the Maharaja's arrival,likewise started precaution to take with him two apples, one with his officials and troops, taking up his of which he must at the time of meeting quarters at Rupar, whence he despatched a high present to the Governor-General, and immeofficer, Ramsay by name, to welcome Ranjit diately consume the other himself, Singh, who, in his turn, made a complimentary 32. The Mahârâjâ having issued orders to reply. When the said English officer departed, the cavalry to get ready, and to his amirs to the Maharaja sent his own son and heir- dress in silver and gold attire, and to bring apparent, Kharak Singh, at the head of a de- out their elephants and gilded haudás, their patation, which consisted of a number of amirs, horses and silver saddles, mounted his handú, and amoug them 8rt MahArdja Gulab Singh, while the artillery fired a salute, the bands the Governor of Jammun and Kashmir, Sardâr played, as the drums resounded, as the MaHari Singh, Raja Sangat Singh, 'Atar Singh, hårâjâ started, flanked by cavalry, and accom. and Sham Singh, to wait upon the Governor panied by his amírs on elephants. When the General for the purpose of inquiring after his cortège arrived at the bank of the river, the health. After the prince had crossed the river Mahârâjâ ordered a balt, and desired only 700 and approached the Governor-General's tent, cavalry and 200 infantry to accompany him to His Excellency came out with a number of the other side. They all marched across the English gentlemen and took the deputation bridge followed by Ranjit Singh, who then into the darbdr-tent, where, after the exchange passed on to the road, one side of which lined by of compliments and presente, the amirs were gigantic Parbiâs and the other by European invested with robes of honour, and returning troops, all drawn up in military order. On informed the Mahârâjâ of the polite reception this salutes of artillery and musketry were they had met with. He was highly pleased with fired and military bands played. Then a high their report, but was disquieted by the sugges- English officer came to meet and accompany the tions of some malevolent persons, who averred | Mahârâjâ, and when the procession had reached that it would have been more safe to have the the Governor-General's tent His Excellency interview in his own dominions, at Amritsar, came out, lifted his hat, warmly shook hands where he would have been in perfect security, with the Maharaja, and seated him on an ele. whereas in this place the English might during vated place in the tent, with the English gentlethe interview easily surround him and make men, whose heads were uncovered, on his right, him prisoner. The apprehensions of the and his own anirs on his left side, all sitting Mahârâjá having somehow been brought to the in great dignity with golden turbans but naked notice of the Governor-General, he immediately feet. After the Governor-General had uttered despatched his Secretary to Ranjit Singh to a few sweet words of welcome to the Maharaja, assure him that the English were an upright he ordered the band to play, and whilst the nation, incapable of treachery, and that nothing audience was being enchanted with delightful but closer relations of amity would result from music, the presente intended for the Maharaja the meeting. Although the fears of the were brought forth, laid out on fifty golden Maharaja had been almost totally dissipated trays, displaying turquoises, rubies, dishes by the declarations of the Secretary, he never- fall of gold, and wonderful clocks. The theless considered it proper to consult his Governor-General also presented the Maharaja astrologers on the subject, and summoned to with an enormous elephant and a golden hauda, his presence all who possessed a subtle know- two fleet horses with costly trappings, and a ledge of the stars, as well as all the Brahmans dinner-service, the plates of which were of who had studied the Vedas. They contemplated silver and gold; and lastly accompanied him to the rotations of the spheres and calculated the the place of leave-taking. motions of the stars, deeply meditated on the 33. On the same day the Mahârâjâ ordered results yielded by their calculations, and at his son Prince Sher Singh likewise to pay a laat declared, that fortune being propitious, visit to the Governor-General, and to request and the Creator helpful, the Maharaja ought him to condescend on the next day to refearlessly to meet the Governor-General, who view the Sikh troops. The invitation having