Indian Antiquary Vol 17

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

Page 67

FEBRUARY, 1888.]
ZAFARNAMA-I-RANJIT SINGH.
59
Lastly the Maharaja himself showed his reached Sakhar (Sukkur) where he likewise horsemanship and agility by galloping towards collected from the Amirs all the tribute he was a brass vessel set up on a lance for a target able to extort, and returned victoriously to and cutting it in two with his sword whilst Lâhôr to his father, who congratulated him on passing. Then he departed to his camp.
what he had accomplished. 37. The next morning Ranjit Singh ordered A courier now suddenly arrived from Bahaall his troops to parade, and sent three of his walpar with the news that the Nawab had Sardars to invite the Governor-General to thrown off his allegiance, and had placed behold the spectacle. When His Excellency himself under the protection of the English, arrived, the troops saluted according to the whose vassal he had become; Mr. Wade having English fashion, and salvoes of artillery thun- accepted his submission and given him a sanad dered; after this a sham fight was executed, which to that effect: moreover the Governor-General elicited the applause of the Governor-General, had sent the Indian army to conquer sind. who then returned to his quarters. The next The Mahârâjâ was enraged on the reception day, being the last of the Mahârâjâ's sojourn of this news, but, as he desired to remain on he mounted an elephant and paid a visit to good terms with the British Government, he the Governor-General for the purpose of taking took no further notice of the matter, and wrote leave. On this occasion he was presented no letter of remonstrance to the Governorwith two brass cannon and ten Arab horses. After this visit he returned to his own camp Meanwhile the Sardar Hari Singh had punto spend a few days more in hunting, because ished the Yûsufzâis, but had been waiting four the locality pleased him greatly, and then he months near Peshawar hoping that Sultan went to Amritsar and paid his devotions at the Khan would at last pay his tribute. The latter's temple of Råmdas, and after distributing a forces, however, being twice as numerous as great deal of money in alms, he marched to those of Hari Singh, he was in no haste to Lahôr.
comply, so the Sardar complained to Ranjit 38. After the Maharaja had thus strength. Singh, who consulted his darbar on this subject, ened the bonds of friendship between his own the members of which arrived at the conclusion, and the English Government, certain disloyal that there being no doubt of Sultan Khan's vassals again refused to pay the customary disloyalty, and of his sympathy for the Kabul tribute. Accordingly he determined first to Government, he ought to be attacked and send to Dera Ghazi Khân his heir apparent, with Peshawar conquered. The Maharajâ accordthe brave Frenchman Ventura, instructing ingly ordered the Prince Naunihal with them to regulate affairs there and then to Ventura, and another officer named Court, attack the Nawab of Bahawalpur, who, if he as well as Têj Singh, forthwith to march with paid tribute, was to be confirmed in his post, numerous troops to Peshawar. When they otherwise he was to be removed therefrom. reached the vicinity of that fort, Sultân Khâu, The heir apparent was then ordered to trembling with fear, sent an envoy to meet the march also to Sind to realise tribute from the prince and to express his amazement at the intenAmirs of that province; whilst the Sardar tion of attacking one who was so loyal to the Hart Singh was to go to Peshwar to exact Maharajâ as himself, and not only ready to the same from the proud Sultan Khan, and, pay tribute, but prepared to sacrifice his life for the Yusufz&is of that region being a stiff-necked him. The prince, however, sent the reply that race, he was told to deal with them severely. he was merely the servant of the Maharaja
Accordingly Kharak Singh and Ventura whose orders he had come to execute, and advanced with their troops first to Dera that if Sultan Khâu was willing peaceably Ghazi Khan, subjugated the rebels and obtained to surrender Peshawar, his life would be spared, the tribute. When they arrived in the province but not if he refused to do so. Irresolute whether of Bahawalpur, which was likewise in a state of to yield or to resist, the perplexed Governor of rebellion, the Nawab became so frightened that Peshawar asked in a letter assistance from he immediately paid the required sum of money. Dost Muhammad, but Kabul being at that time Then the heir-apparent marched to Sind and in a great state of disturbance, it could not be