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66
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
MARCH, 1994.
Rûpaswâlâ, the second the Jangi Lâţ ŞAhib, who was present at the wedding of the Kalwarji, and the third will be the Lat Sahib Mulkî, who is now going to honour us with his presence."
As the last mentioned Lord Sahib was gradually approaching the Pañjáb, due preparations were made for his reception, and among other things not less than 300 elephants were got ready for his camp. But Captain Wade 25 sent a letter to Rañjit Singh, that the Lât Şahib, being much distressed by the heat, would first spend two months in Simla, and would then be glad to meet the Mahârâjâ. After this a letter arrived from Rai Gôbind Das, reporting that the Lat Şahib had left all his baggage at Mêrath, and had sent back "the shahzúdas" to Calcutta, and that he was travelling to Simla alone, to which Ranjit Singh sent a reply to the effect that he desired to know how much of the Lat'Şahib's baggage had been left behind and how much bad been taken with him, and he farther wanted a detailed account of how many "European shahzadas" had been sent back to Calcutta, and who they were ! 26 Having invited Mackeson Şahib to a hunting party, which lasted for some time, Ranjit Singh asked him many questions about the Lat Sahib and other matters. The Maharaja was, however, somewhat displeased when it was reported to him that Mackeson was in the habit of writing down all the occurrences of the day in the evening daily, and eating his dinner only after he had done so. The Maharaja observed that the Sahibs had had a free run all over the country during the last 25 years, and ought to know all about it. Nevertneless, most cordial relations continued and Mackeson remained for some time.
There were no internal troubles, and when on a certain occasion the Afghans sallied out from the fort of 'Ali Masjid, they were repulsed by the cavalry of Allard, which thus earned the praises of Ranjit Singh. News from Kabul arrived that a Russian envoy had proposed to Dost Muhammad Khan to let his son go to Russia for the purpose of strengthening the bonds of friendship. To this the Amir had replied that he was on good terms with the English who were his neighbours, whereas Russia was a distant country. On hearing this story, Burnes Şahib27 was reported to have expressed his astonishment that European Sardars28 could talk one way at night, and another in the morning. Lord Auckland sent a letter to Burnes Şahib to inform Dost Muhand mad Khân that if he entertained loyal intentions towards the English, who were allies of the Sikh government, and if he desired to retain their amity, he ought to send away the Russian envoys. Some time afterward the Maharajâ asked Mackeson Şahib concerning this matter, and was informed that Dôst Muhammad Khan had given only elusive replies to Burnes. Later on Wade informed Ranjit Singh that letters from Burnes had arrived reporting treacherous intentions on the part of Dôst Muhammad Khân, that the Låt Şâhib had recalled him, and that he was now on his way from Kabul to India. Rañît Singh at once sent orders to Avitabile Şâhib that on the arrival of Burnes Şahib in Peshawar, he was to present him with the sum of 500 rupees and 31 dishes of sweetmeats, by way of welcome.
One day, after having received somo English gentlemen, Ranjit Singh fainted on account of the heat and the warm clothes he was wearing, but Bhai Gôbind Råm opened his month and poured into it a medicine composed of rubies, musk, and rosewater, whereon the Maharaja recovered consciousness and allowed himself to be divested of his clothes! He gave strict orders not to reveal to any one what had taken place, ordered the sacred Granth to be read to him, to which he listened 'for some time, and performed the ceremony of suchita, which consists of washing the hands, head and feet. Before the day had closed, he was well enough to ride out and to divert himself with hunting. Not long afterwards information was brought that Burnes had arrived, and had been hospitably entertained in the camp of Avitabile. On
25 Wade is said in this work to have allowed only such Europeans as he approved of to visit the Court of Rañjit Singh, and to have further issued instructions as to how they were to be treated. He appears to have been consulted on inany occasions and to have thus played an important part in the history of the Pañjab at this period.
26 (This quaint statement probably means that the Governor-General left his family at Merath and went on to Simla alone. - ED.) 27 Who was at that time in Kabul.
» [Meaning apparently the Russian envoye. -ED.]
