BY the grace of God, the relations of firm alliance and indissoluble

ties of friendship existing between the Honourable the East India

Company and his Highness the Maharajah Runjeet Singh, founded on

the auspicious treaty formerly concluded by Sir T.C. Metcalfe,

Bart., and since confirmed in the written pledge of sincere amity

presented by the Right Honourable Lord W.C. Bentinck, G.C.B. and

G.C.H., Governor-General of British India, at the meeting at Rooper,

are, like the sun, clear and manifest to the whole world, and will

continue unimpaired, and increase in strength from generation to

generation:--By virtue of these firmly established bonds of friendship,

since the opening of the navigation of the rivers Indus proper (_i.e._

Indus below the confluence of the Punjaub) and Sutlej, (a measure

deemed expedient by both States, with a view to promote the general

interests of commerce),--has lately been effected through the agency

of Captain C.M. Wade, Political Agent at Loodianna, deputed by the

Right Honourable the Governor-General for that purpose. The following

Articles, explanatory of the conditions by which the said navigation is

to be regulated, as concerns the nomination of officers, the mode of

collecting the duties, and the protection of the trade by that route,

have been framed, in order that the officers of the two States employed

in their execution may act accordingly:--

Article 1.--The provisions of the existing treaty relative to the

right bank of the river Sutlej and all its stipulations, together with

the contents of the friendly pledge already mentioned, shall remain

binding, and a strict regard to preserve the relations of friendship

between the two States shall be the ruling principle of action. In

accordance with that treaty, the Honourable Company has not, nor will

have any concern with the right bank of the river Sutlej.

Article 2.--The tariff which is to be established for the line of

navigation in question is intended to apply exclusively to the passage

of merchandise by that route, and not to interfere with the transit

duties levied on goods proceeding from one hank of the river to the

other, nor with the places fixed for their collection: they are to

remain as heretofore.

Article 3.--Merchants frequenting the same route, while within the

limits of the Maharajah's Government, are required to show a due regard

to his authority, as is done by merchants generally, and not to commit

any acts offensive to the civil and religious institutions of the Sikhs.

Article 4.--Any one purposing to go the said route will intimate his

intention to the Agent of either State, and apply for a passport,

agreeably to a form to be laid down; having obtained which, he may

proceed on his journey. The merchants coming from Umritsur, and

other parts on the right bank of the river Sutlej, are to intimate

their intentions to the agent of the Maharajah, at Hurrekee, or

other appointed places, and obtain a passport through him; and

merchants coming from Hindoostan, or other parts on the left bank of

the river Sutlej, will intimate their intentions to the Honourable

Company's Agent and obtain a passport through him. As foreigners, and

Hindoostanees, and Sirdars of the protected Sikh States and elsewhere,

are not in the habit of crossing the Sutlej without a passport from the

Maharajah's officers, it is expected that such persons will hereafter

also conform to the same rule, and not cross without the usual

passports.

Article 5.--A tariff shall be established exhibiting the rate of duties

leviable on each description of merchandise, which, after having been

approved by both Governments, is to be the standard by which the

superintendents and collectors of customs are to be guided.

Article 6.--Merchants are invited to adopt the new route with perfect

confidence: no one shall be suffered to molest them or unnecessarily

impede their progress, care being taken that they are only detained

for the collection of the duties, in the manner stipulated, at the

established stations.

Article 7.--The officers who are to be entrusted with the collection of

the duties, and examination of the goods on the right bank of the river

shall be stationed at Mithenkote and Hurrekee; at no other places but

these two, shall boats in transit on the river be liable to examination

or stoppage. When the persons in charge of boats stop of their own

accord to take in or give out cargo, the goods will be liable to the

local transit duty of the Maharajah's Government, previously to their

being landed, as provided in Article 2. The superintendent stationed at

Mithenkote having examined the cargo, will levy the established duty,

and grant a passport, with a written account of the cargo and freight.

On the arrival of the boat at Hurrekee, the superintendent of that

station will compare the passport with the cargo; and whatever goods

are found in excess will be liable to the payment of the established

duty, while the rest, having already paid duty at Mithenkote, will pass

on free. The same rule shall be observed in respect to merchandise

conveyed from Hurrekee by the way of the rivers towards Scinde, that

whatever may be fixed as the share of duties on the right bank of the

river Sutlej, in right of the Maharajah's own dominions and of those

in allegiance to him, the Maharajah's officers will collect it at the

places appointed. With regard to the security and safety of merchants

who may adopt this route, the Maharajah's officers shall afford them

every protection in their power; and merchants, on halting for the

night on either bank of the Sutlej, are required, with reference to

the treaty of friendship which exists between the two States, to give

notice, and to show their passports to the Thânnahdar, or officers in

authority at the place, and request protection for themselves: if,

notwithstanding this precaution, loss should at any time occur, a

strict enquiry will be made, and reclamation sought from those who are

blamable. The Articles of the present treaty for opening the navigation

of the rivers above mentioned having, agreeably to subsisting

relations, been approved by the Right Honourable the Governor-General,

shall be carried into execution accordingly.

Dated Lahore the 26th of December, 1832.

[Page 69.]

SUPPLEMENTARY INDUS NAVIGATION TREATY OF 1834.

_Draft of a Supplementary Treaty between the British Government and

Maharajah Runjeet Singh for establishing a Toll on the Indus._ (29th

of November, 1834.)

IN conformity with the subsisting relations of friendship, as

established and confirmed by former treaties, between the Honourable

the East India Company and his Highness Maharajah Runjeet Singh; and

whereas in the 5th Article of the treaty concluded at Lahore on the

26th day of December, 1832, it was stipulated that a moderate scale

of duties should be fixed by the two Governments in concert, to be

levied on all merchandise on transit up and down the rivers Indus and

Sutlej; the said Governments being now of opinion that, owing to the

inexperience of the people of these countries in such matters, the

mode of levying duties then proposed (_viz._ on the value and quantity

of goods) could not fail to give rise to mutual misunderstandings and

reclamations, have, with a view to prevent these results, determined

to substitute a toll, which shall be levied on all boats, with whatever

merchandise laden. The following articles have therefore been adopted

as supplementary to the former treaty; and in conformity with them,

each Government engages that the toll shall be levied, and its amount

neither be increased nor diminished except by mutual consent.

Article 1.--A toll of 570 Rupees shall be levied on all boats laden

with merchandise in transit on the rivers Indus and Sutlej, between the

sea and Rooper, without reference to their size, or to the weight or

value of their cargo; the above toll to be divided among the different

States in proportion to the extent of territory which they possess on

the banks of these rivers.

Article 2.--The portion of the above toll appertaining to the Lahore

Chief in right of his territory on both banks of these rivers,

as determined in the subjoined scale shall be levied opposite to

Mithenkote on boats coming from the sea towards Rooper, and in the

vicinity of Hurrekee Puttun on boats going from Rooper towards the sea,

and at no other place:--

In right of territory on the In right of territory on the

right bank of the rivers left bank of the rivers Indus

Indus and Sutlej, 155 and Sutlej, the Maharajah's

Rupees 4 annas. share, of 67

Rupees 15 annas. 9 pies.

Article 3.--In order to facilitate the realization of the toll due

to the different States, as well as for the speedy and satisfactory

adjustment of any disputes which may arise connected with the safety

of the navigation and the welfare of the trade by the new route, a

British officer will reside opposite to Mithenkote, and a native agent

on the part of the British Government, opposite to Hurrekee Puttun.

These officers will be subject to the orders of the British Agent

at Loodianna; and the Agents who may be appointed to reside at those

places on the part of the other States concerned in the navigation,

_viz._ Bhawulpore and Scinde, together with those of Lahore, will

co-operate with them in the execution of their duties.

Article 4.--In order to guard against imposition on the part of

merchants in making false complaints of being plundered of their

property which formed no part of their cargoes, they are required,

when taking out their passports, to produce an invoice of their cargo,

which, being duly authenticated, a copy of it will be annexed to their

passports; and wherever their boats may be brought to for the night,

they are required to give immediate notice to the Thânnahdars or

officers of the place, and to request protection for themselves, at the

same time showing the passports they may have received at Mithenkote or

Hurrekee, as the case may be.

Article 5.--Such parts of the 5th, 7th, 9th, and 10th Articles of the

Treaty of the 26th of December, 1832, as have reference to the fixing a

duty on the value and quantity of merchandise, and to the mode of its

collection are hereby rescinded, and the foregoing articles substituted

in their place, agreeably to which, and the conditions of the preamble,

the toll will be levied.

N.B.--A distribution of the shares due to the British protected States

and the feudatories of the Maharajah on the left bank of the Sutlej

will be determined hereafter.

VIII.

[Page 80.]

DECLARATION OF WAR OF 1845.

_Proclamation by the Governor-General of India._

Camp Lushkuree Khan ke Serai,

December 13th, 1845.

THE British Government has ever been on terms of friendship with that

of the Punjaub.

In the year 1809, a treaty of amity and concord was concluded between

the British Government, and the late Maharajah Runjeet Singh, the

conditions of which have always been faithfully observed by the British

Government, and were scrupulously fulfilled by the late Maharajah.

The same friendly relations have been maintained with the successors

of Maharajah Runjeet Singh by the British Government up to the present

time.

Since the death of the late Maharajah Shere Singh, the disorganized

state of the Lahore Government has made it incumbent on the

Governor-General in Council to adopt precautionary measures for the

protection of the British frontier: the nature of these measures and

the cause of their adoption, were, at the time, fully explained to the

Lahore Durbar.

Notwithstanding the disorganized state of the Lahore Government during

the last two years, and many most unfriendly proceedings on the part of

the Durbar, the Governor-General in Council has continued to evince his

desire to maintain the relations of amity and concord which had so long

existed between the two States, for the mutual interests and happiness

of both. He has shown, on every occasion, the utmost forbearance, from

consideration to the helpless state of the infant Maharajah, Dhuleep

Singh, whom the British Government had recognised as the successor to

the late Maharajah Shere Singh.

The Governor-General in Council sincerely desired to see a strong Sikh

Government re-established in the Punjaub, able to control its army,

and to protect its subjects; he had not, up to the present moment,

abandoned the hope of seeing that important object effected by the

patriotic efforts of the Chiefs and people of that country.

The Sikh army recently marched from Lahore towards the British

frontier, as it was alleged, by the orders of the Durbar, for the

purpose of invading the British territory.

The Governor-General's Agent, by direction of the Governor-General,

demanded an explanation of this movement, and no reply being

returned within a reasonable time, the demand was repeated. The

Governor-General, unwilling to believe in the hostile intentions of

the Sikh Government, to which no provocation had been given, refrained

from taking any measures which might have a tendency to embarrass the

Government of the Maharajah, or to induce collision between the two

States.

When no reply was given to the repeated demand for explanation,

while active military preparations were continued at Lahore, the

Governor-General considered it necessary to order the advance of troops

towards the frontier, to reinforce the frontier posts.

The Sikh army has now, without a shadow of provocation, invaded the

British territories.

The Governor-General must therefore take measures for effectually

protecting the British provinces, for vindicating the authority of the

British Government, and for punishing the violators of treaties and the

disturbers of the public peace.

The Governor-General hereby declares the possessions of Maharajah

Dhuleep Singh, on the left or British bank of the Sutlej, confiscated

and annexed to the British territories.

The Governor-General will respect the existing rights of all

Jaghirdars, Zumindars, and tenants in the said possessions, who, by the

course they now pursue, evince their fidelity to the British Government.

The Governor-General hereby calls upon all the Chiefs and Sirdars in

the protected territories to co-operate cordially with the British

Government for the punishment of the common enemy, and for the

maintenance of order in these States. Those of the Chiefs who show

alacrity and fidelity in the discharge of this duty, which they owe

to the protecting power, will find their interests promoted thereby;

and those who take a contrary course will be treated as enemies to the

British Government, and will be punished accordingly.

The inhabitants of all the territories on the left bank of the Sutlej

are hereby directed to abide peaceably in their respective villages,

where they will receive efficient protection by the British Government.

All parties of men found in armed bands, who can give no satisfactory

account of their proceedings, will be treated as disturbers of the

public peace.

All subjects of the British Government, and those who possess estates

on both sides of the river Sutlej, who by their faithful adherence

to the British Government, may be liable to sustain loss, shall be

indemnified and secured in all their just rights and privileges.

On the other hand, all subjects of the British Government who shall

continue in the service of the Lahore State, and who disobey the

Proclamation by not immediately returning to their allegiance, will be

liable to have their property on this side the Sutlej confiscated, and

themselves declared to be aliens and enemies of the British Government.

IX.

[Page 107]

SERVICES OF CAPTAIN HUMBLEY,

Rifle Brigade.

CAPTAIN HUMBLEY served with the 95th (Rifle Brigade) at the siege of

Copenhagen, in 1807, and was engaged in some skirmishes near that city,

and in the action of Kioge; he was also present at the surrender of

Copenhagen, and of the whole of the Danish navy. In 1808, he landed

with a detachment in Portugal, and was present at the battles of Roleia

and Vimiera, the advance from Lisbon into Spain, the subsequent retreat

from Salamanca, the action of Calcavellas, and the battle of Corunna.

He served on the Walcheren expedition, in 1809, commanded an advanced

outpost before Flushing, on the night of the 31st of July, when he

surprised, and took prisoners, an outlying picquet of the enemy; on

the following day, while under the fortifications of Flushing, he was

severely wounded in the forehead by a musket-ball, which lodged and was

extracted, and the head trepanned.

Captain Humbley joined the army in the Peninsula in March, 1810, and

served there until the end of that war in 1814, with the exception of

four months in 1812.

On the passage to Spain, December the 5th, 1812, he was present at

the capture, after a running fight of several miles, of a large,

well-armed, American merchant ship.

Captain Humbley was present at the defence of Cadiz and Fort Matagorda,

debarked at Tarifa, and was present at the battles of Barrosa,

Salamanca, and Vittoria, and, in the last engagement, was severely

wounded in the left arm. He took part in the action at Vera Bridge,

storming the heights of Vera, and in the battles of the Pyrenees, where

he was wounded near the left eye. He was present at the crossing of

the Bidassoa, at the battles of Nivelle, Nive, and Orthes, in which

last he was severely wounded in the right thigh; he was also in the

action of Tarbes, and the battle of Toulouse, besides several minor

engagements, skirmishes, and affairs of outposts.

Captain Humbley served also in the campaign of 1815, and was severely

wounded at the battle of Waterloo, by a musket-ball in each shoulder.

The two balls having lodged, one was extracted two days afterwards, but

the other still remains lodged under the scapula in the left shoulder.

Captain Humbley has received the War Medal and Twelve Clasps.

X.

[Page 115.]

A MONUMENT, by R. Westmacott, Junr., R.A., F.R.S., is about to be

erected at Shrewsbury, to the memory of Colonel Cureton. The gallant

Colonel will be represented at full length, lying on his back, with his

hands clasped. The following is the inscription:

SACRED TO THE MEMORY

OF

COLONEL G.R. CURETON,

C.B., AND A.D.C., TO THE QUEEN,

ADJUTANT-GENERAL OF H.M. FORCES IN INDIA,

AND LATE LIEUT.-COLONEL COMMANDING THE 16TH LANCERS WHO

FELL IN AN ENGAGEMENT WITH THE SIKH TROOPS AT

RAMNUGGUR, ON THE 22ND OF NOVEMBER, 1848,

WHEN COMMANDING THE CAVALRY OF THE BRITISH ARMY

UNDER GENERAL LORD GOUGH, G.C.B.,

THIS MONUMENT IS ERECTED BY HIS COMRADES AND BROTHER

OFFICERS IN INDIA. BY WHOM HE WAS HELD, AS A

SOLDIER, IN UNIVERSAL ADMIRATION AND

RESPECT; AND IN LOVE AND ESTEEM

AS A FRIEND.

XI.

[Page 180.]

OFFICIAL DESPATCHES.

_From the Governor-General of India to the Secret Committee of the

East India Company, dated Camp, Ferozepore, Dec. 31st, 1845._

THE Sikh army, in large numbers, commenced crossing the Sutlej on

the 11th, and, after investing Ferozepore on one side, took up an

entrenched position at the village of Ferozeshah, about ten miles in

advance of Ferozepore, and about the same distance from the village of

Moodkee.

In this camp the enemy had placed 108 pieces of cannon, some of

large calibre, with a force exceeding 50,000 men, for the purpose

of intercepting the approach of the British force moving up from

Umballa, to the relief of Ferozepore, which had been thus treacherously

attacked, without provocation or declaration of hostilities.

I had ordered, on the 8th inst., that portion of our army posted at

Umballa for defensive purposes, to move up on the 11th; and, after a

rapid march of 150 miles, it reached Moodkee on the 18th, where, on the

evening of the same day, it repulsed an attack of the Sikh army, and

captured seventeen guns. On the following day the army was concentrated

at Moodkee, and, on the 21st, moved by its left on Ferozepore; and

having, on the march, formed its junction, at half-past one o'clock,

with 5,000 men and twenty-one guns, under Major-Gen. Sir John Littler,

which had moved from Ferozepore that morning, the Commander-in-Chief

formed the army in order of battle, and attacked the enemy's entrenched

camp, and, on that evening and the following morning, captured

severity pieces of artillery, taking possession of the enemy's camp,

with a large quantity of ammunition and warlike stores.

These successful and energetic operations have been followed by the

retreat of the Sikh army to the other side of the Sutlej; the British

army being now encamped between Ferozepore and the fords of the Sutlej.

You will not fail to observe that these important and brilliant

successes have been achieved by that portion of our army posted at and

in advance of Umballa for defensive purposes, and that our forces from

Meerut and other stations from the rear, ordered to move up at the same

time, are in reserve, and will reach this neighbourhood between the 5th

and the 9th of January.

I have the honour to inclose two reports from the Commander-in-Chief,

detailing the admirable manner in which these important duties have

been performed.

The Commander-in-Chief has successfully accomplished every object I had

directed him to effect for the relief of Ferozepore, and the protection

of the British States. No accident or failure has occurred during: the

complicated operations of a combined movement; and our army, whether

for defence or attack, has shewn, as heretofore, that its power is

irresistible.

_From General Sir Hugh Gough, Bart., G.C.B., the Commander-in-Chief of

the Army in India, to the Governor-General of India._

Head Quarters, Army of the Sutlej,

Camp, Moodkee, Dec. 19th, 1845.

Right Hon. Sir,

IT would be a superfluous form in me to address to you a narrative of

the campaign which has opened against the Sikhs, and the successful

action of yesterday, since you have in person shared the fatigues and

dangers of our army, and witnessed its efforts and privations, but that

my position at its head renders this my duty; and it is necessary,

from that position, I should place these events on record, for the

information of all Europe, as well as of all India.

You, Sir, know, but others have to be told, that the sudden and

unprovoked aggression of the Sikhs, by crossing the Sutlej with the

great proportion of their army, with the avowed intention of attacking

Ferozepore in time of profound peace, rendered indispensable, on our

side, a series of difficult combinations for the protection of our

frontier station, so unjustifiably and so unexpectedly menaced.

From the advanced and salient situation of Ferozepore, and its vicinity

to the Sikh capital, its defence against a sudden attack became a

difficult operation. It was always possible for the Sikh government

to throw a formidable force upon it before one sufficiently numerous

could on our side be collected to support it; but when, upon the

11th instant, it became known at Umballa, where I had established my

head-quarters, that this invasion had actually taken place, the efforts

to repel it followed each other in rapid succession; notwithstanding

I had the fullest confidence in Major-General Sir John Littler,

commanding at Ferozepore, and in the devotedness and gallantry of the

troops occupying it.

The troops from the different stations in the Sirhind division were

directed to move by forced marches upon Bussean, where, by a most

judicious arrangement, you had directed supplies to be collected,

within a wonderfully short space of time.

The main portion of the force at Loodianna was withdrawn, and a

garrison thrown into the little fortress there. From this central

position, already alluded to, both Loodianna and Ferozepore could be

supported, and the safety of both places might be considered to be

brought, in some measure, within the scope of the contingencies of a

general action to be fought for their relief. All this is soon related;

but most harassing have been the marches of the troops in completing

this concentration. When their march had been further prolonged to

this place, they had moved over a distance of upward of 150 miles in

six days, along roads of heavy sand; their perpetual labour allowing

them scarcely time to cook their food, even when they received it, and

hardly an hour for repose, before they were called upon for renewed

exertions.

When our leading corps reached Wudnee, a small jaghire of the late

Maharajah Shere Singh, its garrison shut the gates of the fort

against them; and, as our battering guns were far in the rear, it was

determined to reserve it for future chastisement, and we remained

content with compelling the village to furnish supplies (it could,

however, provide little, except for our overworked cattle), under pain

of enduring a cannonade and assault; this it did, without the necessity

of firing a shot.

When we reached Wudnee, it was evident that the force before Ferozepore

felt the influence of our movements, as we heard that a very large

portion of that force had been detached to oppose our further advance;

their feeling parties retired on the morning of the 18th before our

Cavalry picquets, near the village and fort of Moodkee.

Soon after mid-day, the division under Major-General Sir Harry Smith,

a brigade of that under Major-General Sir J. M'Caskill, and another of

that under Major-General Gilbert, with five troops of Horse artillery,

and two light field batteries, under Lieutenant Colonel Brooke, of

the Horse Artillery (brigadier in command of the Artillery force),

and the Cavalry division, consisting of H.M. 3rd Light Dragoons, the

body-guard, 4th and 5th Light Cavalry, and 9th Irregular Cavalry, took

up their encamping ground in front of Moodkee.

The troops were in a state of great exhaustion, principally from the

want of water, which was not procurable on the road, when, about three

P.M., information was received that the Sikh army was advancing; and

the troops had scarcely time to get under arms, and move to their

positions, when the fact was ascertained.

I immediately pushed forward the Horse Artillery and Cavalry, directing

the Infantry, accompanied by the field batteries, to move forward in

support. We had not proceeded beyond two miles when we found the enemy

in position. They were said to consist of 15,000 to 20,000 Infantry,

about the same force of Cavalry, and forty guns. They evidently had

either just taken up this position, or were advancing in order of

battle against us.

To resist their attack, and to cover the formation of the Infantry,

I advanced the Cavalry under Brigadiers White, Gough, and Mactier,

rapidly to the front, in columns of squadrons, and occupied the plain.

They were speedily followed by the five troops of Horse Artillery,

under Brigadier Brooke who took up a forward position, having the

Cavalry then on his flanks.

The country is a dead flat, covered at short intervals with a low, but

in some places, thick jhow jungle, and dotted with sandy hillocks.

The enemy screened their Infantry and Artillery behind this jungle,

and such undulations as the ground afforded; and whilst our twelve

battalions formed from echelon of brigade into line, opened a very

severe cannonade upon our advancing troops, which was vigorously

replied to by the battery of Horse Artillery under Brigadier Brooke,

which was soon joined by the two light field batteries. The rapid

and well-directed fire of our artillery appeared soon to paralyse

that of the enemy; and as it was necessary to complete our infantry

dispositions without advancing the Artillery too near to the jungle,

I directed the Cavalry under Brigadiers White and Gough, to make a

flank movement on the enemy's left, with a view of threatening and

turning that flank if possible. With praiseworthy gallantry, the 3rd

Light Dragoons, with the 2nd brigade of Cavalry, consisting of the

body guard and 5th Light Cavalry, with a portion of the 4th Lancers,

turned the left of the Sikh army, and, sweeping along the whole rear of

its Infantry and guns, silenced for a time the latter, and put their

numerous cavalry to flight. Whilst this movement was taking place on

the enemy's left, I directed the remainder of the 4th Lancers, the 9th

Irregular Cavalry, under Brigadier Mactier, with a light field battery,

to threaten their right. This manoeuvre was also successful. Had not

the Infantry and guns of the enemy been screened by the jungle, these

brilliant charges of the Cavalry would have been productive of greater

effect.

When the Infantry advanced to the attack, Brigadier Brooke rapidly

pushed on his Horse Artillery close to the jungle, and the cannonade

was resumed on both sides. The Infantry under Major-Generals Sir Harry

Smith, Gilbert, and Sir John M'Caskill, attacked in echelon of lines

the enemy's Infantry, almost invisible amongst wood and the approaching

darkness of night. The opposition of the enemy was such as might have

been expected from troops who had everything at stake, and who had long

vaunted of being irresistible. Their ample and extended line, from

their great superiority of numbers, far outflanked ours; but this was

counter-acted by the flank movements of our Cavalry. The attack of the

Infantry now commenced, and the roll of fire from this powerful arm

soon convinced the Sikh army that they had met with a foe they little

expected; and their whole force was driven from position after position

with great slaughter, and the loss of seventeen pieces of artillery,

some of them of heavy calibre; our infantry using that never failing

weapon, the bayonet, whenever the enemy stood. Night only saved them

from worse disaster; for this stout conflict was maintained during an

hour and a half of dim starlight, amidst a cloud of dust from the sandy

plain, which yet more obscured every object.

I regret to say, this gallant and successful attack was attended with

considerable loss; the force bivouacked upon the field for some hours,

and only returned to its encampment after ascertaining that it had no

enemy before it, and that night prevented the possibility of a regular

advance in pursuit.

H. Gough, General,

Commander-in-Chief.

_From His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief to the Right Hon. the

Governor-General of India, dated Camp, Ferozeshah, December 22nd,

1845._

Right Honourable Sir,

I have again to congratulate you on the success of our arms. A grand

battle has been fought against the Sikh army at this place, and, by the

blessing of Divine providence, victory has been won, by the valour of

our troops, against odds and under circumstances which will render this

action one of the most memorable in the page of Indian history.

After the combat of the 18th at Moodkee, information was received the

following day, that the enemy, increased in numbers, were moving on to

attack us. A line of defence was taken up in advance of our encampment,

and dispositions made to repel assault; but the day wore away without

their appearing, and at night we had the satisfaction of being

reinforced by H.M. 29th Foot, and the East India Company's 1st European

Light Infantry, with our small division of heavy guns.

I must here allude to a circumstance most favourable to our efforts in

the field. On this evening, in addition to the valuable counsel with

which you had in every emergency before favoured me, you were pleased

yet further to strengthen my hands, by kindly offering your services as

second in command in my army. I need hardly say with how much pleasure

the offer was accepted.

On the morning of the 21st, the offensive was resumed; our columns of

all arms debouched four miles on the road to Ferozeshah, where it was

known that the enemy, posted in great force, and with a most formidable

artillery, had remained since the action of the 18th, incessantly

employed in entrenching his position. Instead of advancing to the

direct attack of their formidable works, our force manoeuvred to their

right: the second and fourth divisions of infantry, in front, supported

by the first division and cavalry in second line, continued to defile

for some time out of cannon-shot between the Sikhs and Ferozepore. The

desired effect was not long delayed, a cloud of dust was seen on the

left, and according to the instructions sent him on the preceding

evening, Major-General Sir John Littler, with his division, availing

himself of the offered opportunity, was discovered in full march to

unite his force with mine. The junction was soon effected; and thus

was accomplished one of the great objects of all our harassing marches

and privations, in the relief of this division of our army from the

blockade of the numerous forces by which it was surrounded.

Dispositions were now made for a united attack on the enemy's

entrenched camp. We found it to be a parallelogram, of about a mile

in length, and half a mile in breadth, including within its area the

strong village of Ferozeshah; the shorter sides looking towards the

Sutlej and Moodkee, and the longer towards Ferozepore and the open

country. We moved against the last-named face, the ground in front of

which was like the Sikh position in Moodkee, covered with low jungle.

The divisions of Major-general Sir John Littler, Brigadier Wallace (who

had succeeded Major-general Sir John M'Caskill), and Major-general

Gilbert, deployed into line, having in the centre our whole force of

artillery, with the exception of three troops of horse artillery, one

on either flank and one in support, to be moved as occasion required.

Major-general Sir Harry Smith's division, and our small cavalry force,

moved in second line, having a brigade in reserve to cover each wing.

I should here observe, that I committed the charge and direction of the

left wing to Lieutenant-general Sir Henry Hardinge, while I personally

conducted the right.

A very heavy cannonade was opened by the enemy, who had dispersed over

their position upwards of one hundred guns, more than forty of which

were of battering calibre; these kept up a heavy and well-directed

fire, which the practice of our far less numerous artillery, of much

lighter metal, checked in some degree, but could not silence; finally,

in the face of a storm of shot and shell, our infantry advanced and

carried these formidable intrenchments; they threw themselves upon

their guns, and with matchless gallantry wrested them from the enemy;

but, when the batteries were partially within our grasp, our soldiery

had to face such a fire of musketry from the Sikh infantry, arrayed

behind their guns, that, in spite of the most heroic efforts, a portion

only of the entrenchment could be carried. Night fell while the

conflict was everywhere raging.

Although I now brought up Major-general Sir Harry Smith's division,

and he captured and long retained another point of the position,

and her Majesty's 3rd Light Dragoons charged and took some of the

most formidable batteries, yet the enemy remained in possession of

a considerable portion of the great quadrangle, whilst our troops,

intermingled with theirs, kept possession of the remainder, and finally

bivouacked upon it, exhausted by their gallant efforts, greatly reduced

in numbers, and suffering extremely from thirst, yet animated by an

indomitable spirit. In this state of things the long night wore away.

Near the middle of it, one of their heavy guns was advanced and

played with deadly effect upon our troops. Lieut.-general Sir Henry

Hardinge immediately formed H.M. 80th Foot and the 1st European Light

Infantry. They were led to the attack by their commanding officers, and

animated in their exertions by Lieut.-col. Wood (aide-de-camp to the

Lieut.-general), who was wounded in the outset. The 80th captured the

gun, and the enemy, dismayed by this counter-check, did not venture to

press on further. During the whole night, however, they continued to

harass our troops by fire of artillery, wherever moonlight discovered

our position.

But with daylight of the 22nd came retribution. Our infantry formed

line, supported on both flanks by horse artillery, whilst a fire was

opened from our centre by such of our heavy guns as remained effective,

aided by a flight of rockets. A masked battery played with great effect

upon this point, dismounting our pieces and blowing up our tumbrils. At

this moment Lieutenant-general Sir Henry Hardinge placed himself at the

head of the left, whilst I rode at the head of the right wing.

Our line advanced, and, unchecked by the enemy's fire, drove them

rapidly out of the village of Ferozeshah and their encampment; then,

changing front to its left, on its centre, our force continued to

sweep the camp, bearing down all opposition, and dislodged the enemy

from their whole position. The line then halted, as if on a day of

manoeuvre, receiving its two leaders, as they rode along its front,

with a gratifying cheer, and displaying the captured standards of the

Khalsa army. We had taken upwards of seventy-three pieces of cannon,

and were masters of the whole field.

The force assumed a position on the ground which it had won, but even

here its labours were not to cease. In the course of two hours, Sirdar

Tej Singh, who had commanded in the last great battle, brought up

from the vicinity of Ferozepore fresh battalions and a large field of

artillery, supported by 30,000 Ghorepurras, hitherto encamped near the

river. He drove in our cavalry parties, and made strenuous efforts

to regain the position at Ferozeshah; this attempt was defeated; but

its failure had scarcely become manifest, when the Sirdar renewed the

contest with more troops and a large artillery. He commenced by a

combination against our left flank; and when this was frustrated, made

such a demonstration against the captured village, as compelled us to

change our whole front to the right. His guns during this manoeuvre,

maintained an incessant fire, whilst our artillery ammunition being

completely expended in these protracted combats, we were unable to

answer him with a single shot.

I now directed our almost exhausted cavalry to threaten both flanks at

once, preparing the infantry to advance in support, which apparently

caused him suddenly to cease his fire, and to abandon the field.

For twenty-four hours not a Sikh has appeared in our front. The remains

of the Khalsa army are said to be in full retreat across the Sutlej,

at Nuggurputhur and Tella, or marching up its left bank towards

Hurrekeeputhur, in the greatest confusion and dismay. Of their chiefs,

Bahadur Singh is killed; Lall Singh said to be wounded; Mehtab Singh,

Adjoodhia Pershad, and Tej Singh, the late governor of Peshawur, have

fled with precipitation. Their camp is the scene of the most awful

carnage, and they have abandoned large stores of grain, camp equipage,

and ammunition.

Thus has apparently terminated this unprovoked and criminal invasion of

the peaceful provinces under British protection.

On the conclusion of such a narrative as I have given, it is surely

superfluous in me to say that I am, and shall be to the last moment

of my existence, proud of the army which I had the honour to command

on the 21st and 22nd instant. To their gallant exertions I owe the

satisfaction of seeing such a victory achieved, and the glory of having

my own name associated with it.

The loss of this army has been heavy; how could a hope be formed

that it should be otherwise? Within thirty hours this force stormed

an intrenched camp, fought a general action, and sustained two

considerable combats with the enemy. Within four days it has dislodged

from their positions, on the left bank of the Sutlej, 60,000 Sikh

soldiers, supported by upwards of 150 pieces of cannon, 108 of which

the enemy acknowledge to have lost, and ninety-one of which are in our

possession.

In addition to our losses in the battle, the captured camp was found to

be everywhere protected by charged mines, by the successive springing

of which many brave officers and men have been destroyed.

I have the honour to be, etc.,

H. Gough, General,

Commander-in-Chief, East Indies.

_Extract from a Despatch of His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief to

the Right Hon. the Governor-General, dated Feb. 1, 1846._

Head Quarters, Army of the Sutlej.

Meanwhile the Upper Sutlej has become the scene of very interesting

operations.

It is a strange feature of this war, that the enemy, pressed for

supplies on his own bank, has been striving to draw them from his

jaghire estates on this side of the river. In the town and fort of

Dhurmkote, which were filled with grain, he had in the second week

of January a small garrison of mercenaries--Rohillas, Eusufzies,

and Affghans. Major-General Sir Harry Smith was on the 18th sent

against this place with a single brigade of his division and a light

field battery. He easily effected its reduction, the troops within

surrendering at discretion after a few cannon shots. But whilst he was

yet in march, I received information of a more serious character. There

remained little cause to doubt that Sirdar Runjoor Sing Mujetheea had

crossed from Philour, at the head of a numerous force of all arms,

and established himself in a position at Baran Hara, between the old

and the new courses of the Sutlej: not only threatening the city of

Loodianna with plunder and devastation, but indicating a determination

to intersect the line of our communications at Bussean and Rackote.

The safety of the rich and populous town of Loodianna had been, in

some measure, provided for by the presence of three battalions of

Native Infantry, under Brigadier Godby, and the gradual advance of our

reinforcements, amongst which was included her Majesty's 53rd regiment,

and the position of the Shekawattee brigade, near Bussean, gave

breathing time to us in that direction.

But on receipt of intelligence which could be relied on, of the

movements of Runjoor Singh and his apparent views, Major-general Sir

Harry Smith, with the brigade at Dhurmkote, and Brigadier Cureton's

cavalry, was directed to advance by Jugraon towards Loodianna, and his

second brigade, under Brigadier Wheeler, moved on to support him.

Then commenced a series of very delicate combinations, the momentous

character of which can only be comprehended by reflecting on the task

which had devolved on this army of guarding the frontier from Rooper

down to Mundote.

The Major-General, breaking up from Jugraon, moved towards Loodianna,

when the Sirdar, relying on the vast superiority of his forces, assumed

the initiative, and endeavoured to intercept his progress by marching

in a line parallel to him, and opening upon his troops a furious

cannonade. The Major-General continued coolly to manoeuvre; and when

the Sikh Sirdar, bending round one wing of his army, enveloped his

flank, he extricated himself by retiring with the steadiness of a

field-day by echelon of battalions, and effected his communication with

Loodianna, but not without severe loss.

Reinforced by Brigadier Godby, he felt himself to be strong; but his

manoeuvres had thrown him out of communication with Brigadier Wheeler;

and a portion of his baggage had fallen into the hands of the enemy.

The Sikh Sirdar took up an entrenched position at Buddiwal, supporting

himself on its fort, but, threatened on either flank by General Smith

and Brigadier Wheeler, finally decamped and moved down to the Sutlej.

The British troops made good their junction, and occupied the abandoned

position of Buddiwal; the Shekawattee brigade and her Majesty's 53rd

regiment also added to the strength of the Major-General, and he

prepared to attack the Sikh Sirdar on his new ground. But on the 26th,

Runjoor Singh was reinforced from the right bank with 4,000 regular

troops, 12 pieces of artillery, and a large force of cavalry.

Emboldened by this accession of strength, he ventured on the measure of

advancing towards Jugraon apparently with the view of intercepting our

communications by that route.

It is my gratifying duty to announce, that this presumption has been

rebuked by a splendid victory obtained over him. He has not only been

repulsed by the Major-General, but his camp at Aliwal carried by

storm, the whole of his cannons and munitions of war captured, and his

army driven headlong across the Sutlej, even on the right bank of which

he found no refuge from the fire of our artillery.

I have now the honour to forward the Major-General's report, which has

just reached me. It is so ample and luminous, that I might perhaps

have spared some of the details into which admiration of the General's

conduct, and of the brave army confided to him in these operations, has

led me.

* * * * *

Camp, Field of the Battle of Aliwal,

January 30, 1846.

To the Adjutant-General of the Army.

Sir,

MY despatch to his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, of the 23rd

instant, will have put his Excellency in possession of the position

of the force under my command after having formed a junction with

the troops at Loodianna, hemmed in by a formidable body of the Sikh

army under Runjoor Sing and the Rajah of Ladwa. The enemy strongly

entrenched himself around the little fort of Buddiwal by breastworks

and "abattis," which he precipitately abandoned on the night of the

22nd instant (retiring, as it were, upon the ford of Tulwun), having

ordered all the boats which were opposite Philour, to that ghât. This

movement he effected during the night, and, by a considerable détour,

placed himself at a distance of ten miles, and consequently out of

my reach. I could, therefore, only push forward my cavalry so soon

as I had ascertained he had marched during the night, and I occupied

immediately his vacated position. It appeared subsequently he had no

intention of re-crossing the Sutlej, but moved down to the Ghât of

Tulwun (being cut off from that of Philour by the position my force

occupied after its relief of Loodianna), for the purpose of protecting

the passage of a very considerable reinforcement of twelve guns and

4,000 of the Regular or Aicen troops, called Avitabile's battalion,

entrenching himself strongly in a semi-circle, his flanks resting

on the river, his position covered with from forty to fifty guns

(generally of large calibre), howitzers, and mortars. The reinforcement

crossed during the night of the 27th instant, and encamped to the right

of the main army.

Meanwhile his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, with that foresight

and judgment which marks the able general, had reinforced me by a

considerable addition to my cavalry, some guns, and the 2nd brigade

of my own division under Brigadier Wheeler, C.B. This reinforcement

reached me on the 26th, and I had intended the next morning to move

upon the enemy in his entrenchments; but the troops required one day's

rest after the long marches Brigadier Wheeler had made.

I have now the honour to lay before you the operations of my united

forces on the morning of the eventful 28th of January, for his

Excellency's information. The body of troops under my command having

been increased, it became necessary so to organize and brigade them

as to render them manageable in action. The cavalry under the command

of Brigadier Cureton, and horse artillery under Major Lawrenson, were

put into two brigades; the one under Brigadier Mac Dowell, C.B., and

the other under Brigadier Stedman. The 1st division as it stood, two

brigades; her Majesty's 53rd and 30th Native Infantry, under Brigadier

Wilson of the latter corps; the 36th Native Infantry and Nusseree

battalion, under Brigadier Godby; and the Shekawattee brigade, under

Major Forster. The Sirmoor battalion I attached to Brigadier Wheeler's

brigade of the 1st division, the 42nd Native Infantry having been left

at head-quarters.

At daylight on the 28th my order of advance was, the Cavalry in front,

in contiguous columns of squadrons of regiments; two troops of Horse

Artillery in the interval of brigades; the Infantry in contiguous

columns of brigades at intervals of deploying distance; Artillery in

the intervals, followed by two eight-inch howitzers on travelling

carriages, brought into the field from the fort of Loodianna by the

indefatigable exertions of Lieutenant-Colonel Lane, Horse Artillery;

Brigadier Godby's brigade, which I had marched out from Loodianna the

previous evening, on the right; the Shekawattee Infantry on the left;

the 4th Irregular Cavalry and the Shekawattee Cavalry considerably to

the right, for the purpose of sweeping the banks of the wet nullah on

my right, and preventing any of the enemy's horse attempting an inroad

towards Loodianna, or any attempt upon the baggage assembled round the

Fort of Buddiwal.

In this order the troops moved forward towards the enemy, a distance

of six miles, the advance conducted by Captain Waugh, 16th Lancers,

the Deputy Assistant Quartermaster of Cavalry; Major Bradford of the

1st Cavalry, and Lieutenant Strachey, of the Engineers, who had been

jointly employed in the conduct of patrols up to the enemy's position,

and for the purpose of reporting upon the facility and points of

approach. Previously to the march of the troops, it had been intimated

to me by Major Mackeson, that the information by spies led to the

belief that the enemy would move somewhere at daylight, either on

Jugraon, my position of Buddiwal, or Loodianna. On a near approach to

his outposts this rumour was confirmed by a spy, who had just left his

camp, saying the Sikh army was actually in march towards Jugraon. My

advance was steady, my troops well in hand, and if he had anticipated

me on the Jugraon road, I could have fallen upon his centre with

advantage.

From the tops of the houses of the village of Poorcin, I had a distant

view of the enemy. He was in motion, and appeared directly opposite

my front on a ridge, of which the village of Aliwal may be regarded

as the centre. His left appeared still to occupy its ground in the

circular entrenchment; his right was brought forward and occupied the

ridge. I immediately deployed the cavalry into line, and moved on. As

I neared the enemy, the ground became most favourable for the troops

to manoeuvre, being open and hard grass land. I ordered the Cavalry

to take ground to the right and left by brigades, thus displaying the

heads of the Infantry columns, and as they reached the hard ground I

directed them to deploy into line. Brigadier Godby's brigade was in

direct echellon to the rear of the right; the Shekawattee Infantry in

like manner to the rear of my left; the cavalry in direct echelon on,

and well to the rear of both flanks of the Infantry; the Artillery

massed on the right, and centre, and left. After deployment I observed

the enemy's left to out-flank me, I therefore broke into open columns

and took ground to my right: when I had gained sufficient ground, the

troops wheeled into line; there was no dust, the sun shone brightly.

The manoeuvres were performed with the celerity and precision of the

most correct field-day. The glistening of the bayonets and swords

of this order of battle was most imposing, and the line advanced.

Scarcely had it moved forward 150 yards, when at ten o'clock the

enemy opened a fierce cannonade from his whole line. At first his

balls fell short, but quickly reached us. Thus upon him, and capable

of better ascertaining his position, I was compelled to halt the line,

though under fire, for a few moments, until I ascertained that by

bringing up my right and carrying the village of Aliwal, I could with

great effect precipitate myself upon his left and centre. I therefore

quickly brought up Brigadier Godby's brigade, and with it and the 1st

brigade under Brigadier Hicks, made a rapid and noble charge, carried

the village, and two guns of large calibre. The line I ordered to

advance,--her Majesty's 31st Foot and the Native regiments contending

for the front, and the battle became general. The enemy had a numerous

body of Cavalry on the heights to his left, and I ordered Brigadier

Cureton to bring up the right brigade of cavalry, who, in the most

gallant manner, dashed in among them, and drove them back upon their

Infantry. Meanwhile a second gallant charge to my right was made by the

Light Cavalry and the body-guard. The Shekawattee brigade was moved

well to the right, in support of Brigadier Cureton. When I observed

the enemy's encampment, and saw it was full of Infantry, I immediately

brought upon it Brigadier Godby's brigade, by changing front, and

taking the enemy's Infantry _en reverse_. They drove them before them,

and took some guns without a check.

Whilst these operations were going on upon the right, and the enemy's

left flank was thus driven back. I occasionally observed the brigade

under Brigadier Wheeler, an officer in whom I have the greatest

confidence, charging and carrying guns and everything before it, again

connecting his line and moving on in a manner which ably displayed

the coolness of the Brigadier and the gallantry of his irresistible

brigade--her Majesty's 50th Foot, the 48th Native Infantry, and the

Sirmoor battalion, although the loss was, I regret to say, severe in

the 50th. Upon the left, Brigadier Wilson, with her Majesty's 53rd

and 30th Native Infantry, equalled in celerity and regularity their

comrades on the right; and this brigade was opposed to the "Aieen"

troops, called Avitabile's, when the fight was fiercely raging.

The enemy, well driven back on his left and centre, endeavoured to hold

his right to cover the passage of the river, and he strongly occupied

the village of Bhoondee. I directed a squadron of the 16th Lancers,

under Major Smith and Captain Pearson, to charge a body to the right

of the village, which they did in the most gallant and determined

style, bearing everything before them, as a squadron under Captain

Bere had previously done, going through a square of infantry, wheeling

about and re-entering the square in the most intrepid manner with the

deadly lance. This charge was accompanied by the 3rd Light Cavalry,

under Major Angelo, and as gallantly sustained. The largest gun upon

the field and seven others were then captured, while the 53rd regiment

carried the village by the bayonet, and the 30th Native Infantry

wheeled round to the rear in a most spirited manner. Lieutenant-Colonel

Alexander's and Captain Turton's troops of Horse Artillery, under Major

Lawrenson, almost dashed among the flying infantry, committing great

havoc, until about 800 or 1,000 men rallied under the high bank of a

nullah, and opened a heavy, but ineffectual fire from below the bank.

I immediately directed the 30th Native Infantry to charge them, which

they were able to do upon their left flank, while in a line in rear

of the village. This native corps nobly obeyed my orders, and rushed

among the Avitabile troops, driving them from under the bank, and

exposing them once more to the deadly fire of twelve guns within three

hundred yards. The destruction was very great, as may be supposed, by

guns served as these were. Her Majesty's 53rd Regiment moved forward

in support of the 30th Native Infantry, by the right of the village.

The battle was won, our troops advancing with the most perfect order

to the common focus, the passage of the river. The enemy, completely

hemmed in, were flying from our fire, and precipitating themselves in

disordered masses into the ford and boats, in the utmost confusion

and consternation. Our 8-inch howitzers soon began to play upon their

boats, when the "debris" of the Sikh army appeared upon the opposite

and high bank of the river, flying in every direction, although a sort

of line was attempted to countenance their retreat, until all our guns

commenced a furious cannonade, when they quickly receded. Nine guns

were on the verge of the river by the ford. It appears as if they had

been unlimbered to cover the ford. These, being loaded, were fired

once upon our advance. Two others were sticking in the river; one of

them we got out. Two were seen to sink in the quick-sands; two were

dragged to the opposite bank and abandoned. These, and the one in the

middle of the river, were gallantly spiked by Lieutenant Holmes, of the

11th Irregular Cavalry, and Gunner Scott, of the 1st Troop 2nd Brigade

Horse Artillery, who rode into the stream, and crossed for the purpose,

covered by our guns and light infantry.

Thus ended the battle of Aliwal, one of the most glorious victories

ever achieved in India. By the united efforts of her Majesty's and the

Hon. Company's troops, every gun the enemy had fell into our hands,

as I infer from his never opening one upon us from the opposite bank

of the river, which is high and favourable for the purpose: fifty-two

guns are now in the Ordnance Park, two sunk in the bed of the Sutlej,

and two were spiked on the opposite bank--making a total of fifty-six

pieces of cannon captured or destroyed.[112] Many jinjalls which were

attached to Avitabile's corps, and which aided in the defence of the

village of Bhoondee, have also been taken. The whole army of the enemy

has been driven headlong over the difficult ford of a broad river;

his camp, baggage, stores of ammunition, and of grain--his all, in

fact--wrested from him by the repeated charges of cavalry and infantry,

aided by the guns of Alexander, Turton, Lane, Mill, Boileau, and of

the Shekawattee brigade, and by the eight-inch howitzers, our guns

literally being constantly ahead of everything. The determined bravery

of all was as conspicuous as noble. I am unwont to praise when praise

is not merited; and I here most avowedly express my firm opinion and

conviction, that no troops in any battle on record ever behaved more

nobly. British and native (no distinction) cavalry all vying with her

Majesty's 16th Lancers, and striving to head in the repeated charges.

Our guns and gunners, officers and men, may be equalled, but cannot

be excelled, by any artillery in the world. Throughout the day no

hesitation, a bold and intrepid advance; and thus it is that our loss

is comparatively small, though I deeply regret to say severe. The enemy

fought with much resolution; they maintained frequent rencontres with

our cavalry hand to hand. In one charge of infantry upon her Majesty's

16th Lancers, they threw away their muskets, and came on with their

swords and targets against the lance.

Having thus done justice, and justice alone, to the gallant troops his

Excellency entrusted to my command, I would gladly, if the limits of a

despatch (already too much lengthened, I fear), permitted me, do that

justice to individuals all deserve. This cannot be....

The Fort of Goongrana has, subsequently to the battle, been evacuated,

and I yesterday evening blew up the fort of Buddiwal. I shall now blow

up that of Noorpore. A portion of the peasantry, viz., the Sikhs,

appear less friendly to us, while the Mussulmans rejoice in being under

our government.

I have, etc.,

(Signed) H.G. Smith,

Maj.-Gen. commanding.

Camp, Field of Battle of Aliwal, 30th January, 1846.

True copy (Signed) P. Grant, Major,

Dep. Adj.-Gen. of the army.

TO THE RIGHT HON. THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF INDIA.

Head-quarters, Army of the Sutlej,

Camp Kussoor, Feb. 13.

Right Hon. Sir,

This is the fourth despatch which I have had the honour of addressing

to you since the opening of the campaign. Thanks to Almighty God, whose

hand I desire to acknowledge in all our successes, the occasion of my

writing now is to announce a fourth and most glorious and decisive

victory!

My last communication detailed the movements of the Sikhs, and our

counter-manoeuvres, since the great day of Ferozeshah. Defeated on the

Upper Sutlej, the enemy continued to occupy his position on the right

bank, and formidable _tête de pont_ and entrenchments on the left bank

of the river, in front of the main body of our army. But on the 10th

instant, all that he held of British territory, which was comprised in

the ground on which one of his camps stood, was stormed from his grasp,

and his audacity was again signally punished by a blow, sudden, heavy,

and overwhelming. It is my gratifying duty to detail the measures which

have led to this glorious result.

The enemy's works had been repeatedly reconnoitred during the time

of my head-quarters being fixed at Nihalkee, by myself, by my

departmental staff, and my engineer and artillery officers. Our

observations, coupled with the reports of spies, convinced us that

there had devolved on us the arduous task of attacking, in a position

covered with formidable entrenchments, not fewer than 30,000 men,

the best of the Khalsa troops, with seventy pieces of cannon, united

by a good bridge to a reserve on the opposite bank, on which the

enemy had a considerable camp and some artillery, commanding and

flanking his field-works on our side. Major-General Sir Harry Smith's

division having rejoined me on the evening of the 8th, and part of my

siege-train having come up with me, I resolved, on the morning of the

10th, to dispose our mortars and battering guns on the alluvial land,

within good range of the enemy's works. To enable us to do this, it

was necessary first to drive in the enemy's pickets at the post of

observation in front of Koodeewalla, and at the little Sobraon. It

was directed that this should be done during the night of the 9th;

but the execution of this part of the plan was deferred, owing to

misconceptions and casual circumstances, until near daybreak. The

delay was of little importance, as the event showed that the Sikhs

had followed our example in occupying the two posts in force by day

only. Of both, therefore, possession was taken without opposition. The

battering and disposed field-artillery was then put in position in

an extended semi-circle, embracing within its fire the works of the

Sikhs. It had been intended that the cannonade should have commenced at

daybreak; but so heavy a mist hung over the plain and river, that it

became necessary to wait until the rays of the sun had penetrated it,

and cleared the atmosphere. Meanwhile, on the margin of the Sutlej, on

our left, two brigades of Major-General Sir R. Dick's division, under

his personal command, stood ready to commence the assault against the

enemy's extreme right. His 7th brigade, in which was the 10th Foot,

reinforced by the 53rd Foot, and led by Brigadier Stacey, was to head

the attack, supported, at 200 yards' distance, by the 6th brigade,

under Brigadier Wilkinson. In reserve, was the 5th brigade, under

Brigadier the Hon. T. Ashburnham, which was to move forward from the

entrenched village of Koodeewalla, leaving, if necessary, a regiment

for its defence. In the centre, Major-General Gilbert's division was

deployed for support or attack; its right wing resting on, and in the

village of the little Sobraon. Major-General Sir Harry Smith's was

formed near the village of Guttah, with its right thrown up towards the

Sutlej. Brigadier Cureton's cavalry, threatened, by feigned attacks,

the ford of Hurrekee and the enemy's horse, under Rajah Lall Singh

Misr, on the opposite bank. Brigadier Campbell, taking an intermediate

position in the rear, between Major-General Gilbert's right and

Major-General Sir Harry Smith's left, protected both. Major-General Sir

Joseph Thackwell, under whom was Brigadier Scott, held in reserve on

our left, ready to act as circumstances might demand, the rest of the

Cavalry.

Our batteries of 9-pounders, enlarged into twelves, opened near the

little Sobraon, with a brigade of howitzers, formed from the light

field-batteries and troops of Horse-artillery, shortly after daybreak.

But it was half-past six before the whole of our artillery fire

was developed. It was the most spirited and well-directed. I cannot

speak in terms too high of the judicious disposition of the guns,

their admirable practice, or the activity with which the cannonade

was sustained; but notwithstanding the formidable calibre of our iron

guns, mortars, and howitzers, and the admirable way in which they were

served, and aided by a rocket-battery, it would have been visionary to

expect that they could, within any limited time, silence the fire of

seventy pieces, behind well constructed batteries of earth, plank, and

fascines; or dislodge troops covered either by redoubts or epaulements,

or within a treble-line of trenches. The effect of the cannonade was,

as has since proved by an inspection of the camp, most severely felt by

the enemy; but it soon became evident that the issue of this struggle

must be brought to the arbitrament of musketry and the bayonet.

At nine o'clock, Brigadier Stacey's brigade, supported on either flank

by Captains Horsford's and Fordyce's batteries, and Lieut.-Colonel

Lane's troop of Horse-artillery, moved to the attack in admirable

order. The Infantry and guns aided each other correlatively. The former

marched steadily on in line, which they halted only to correct when

necessary. The latter took up successive positions at the gallop, until

at length they were within three hundred yards of the heavy batteries

of the Sikhs; but, notwithstanding the regularity and coolness, and

scientific character of this assault, which Brigadier Wilkinson well

supported, so hot was the fire of cannon, musketry, and zumbooruks kept

up by the Khalsa troops, that it seemed for some moments impossible

that the entrenchments could be won under it; but soon, persevering

gallantly, we triumphed; and the whole army had the satisfaction to

see the gallant Brigadier Stacey's soldiers driving the Sikhs in

confusion within the area of their encampment. The 10th Foot, under

Lieutenant-Colonel Franks, now for the first time brought into serious

contact with the enemy, greatly distinguished themselves. This regiment

never fired a shot till it got within the works of the enemy. The onset

of her Majesty's 53rd Foot was as gallant and effective. The 43rd and

59th N.I. brigaded with them, emulated both in cool determination.

At the moment of this first success, I directed Brigadier the Hon. T.

Ashburnham's brigade to move on in support; and Major-General Gilbert's

and Sir Harry Smith's divisions to throw out their light troops to

threaten their works, aided by artillery. As these attacks of the

centre and right commenced, the fire of our heavy guns had first to be

directed to the right, and then gradually to cease; but at one time

the thunder of 120 pieces of ordnance reverberated in this mighty

combat through the valley of the Sutlej; and as it was soon seen that

the weight of the whole force within the Sikh camp was likely to be

thrown upon the two brigades that had passed its trenches, it became

necessary to convert into close and serious attacks the demonstrations

with skirmishers and artillery of the centre and right; and the battle

raged with inconceivable fury from right to left. The Sikhs, even

when at particular points their entrenchments were mastered with the

bayonet, strove to regain them by the fiercest conflict, sword in

hand. Nor was it until the cavalry of the left, under Major-General

Sir Joseph Thackwell, had moved forward, and ridden through the

openings of the entrenchments made by our sappers, in single file, and

re-formed as they passed them; and the 3rd Dragoons, whom no obstacle

usually held formidable by horse appears to check, had on this day,

as at Ferozeshah, galloped over and cut down the obstinate defenders

of batteries and field-works, and until the full weight of three

divisions of Infantry, with every Field-artillery gun which could be

sent to their aid, had been cast into the scale, that victory finally

declared for the British. The fire of the Sikhs first slackened and

then nearly ceased; and the victors then pressing them on every side,

precipitated them in masses over the bridge, and into the Sutlej, which

a sudden rise of seven inches had rendered hardly fordable. In their

efforts to reach the right bank, through the deepened water, they

suffered from our Horse-artillery a terrible carnage. Hundreds fell

under this cannonade; hundreds upon hundreds were drowned in attempting

the perilous passage. Their awful slaughter, confusion, and dismay,

were such as would have excited compassion in the hearts of their

generous conquerors, if the Khalsa troops had not, in the early part

of the action, sullied their gallantry by slaughtering and barbarously

mangling every wounded soldier whom, in the vicissitudes of attack, the

fortune of war left at their mercy. I must pause in this narrative,

especially to notice the determined hardihood and bravery with which

our battalions of Ghoorkhas, the Sirmoor and Nusseree, met the Sikhs

wherever they were opposed to them. Soldiers of small stature, but

indomitable spirit, they vied in ardent courage in the charge with the

Grenadiers of our own nation; and armed with the short weapon of their

mountains, were a terror to the Sikhs throughout this great combat.

Sixty-seven pieces of cannon, upwards of two hundred camel-swivels

(zumbooruks), numerous standards, and vast munitions of war, captured

by our troops, are the pledges and trophies of our victory. The battle

was over by eleven in the morning, and in the forenoon I caused our

engineers to burn a part and to sink a part of the vaunted bridge of

the Khalsa army, across which they had boastfully come once more to

defy us, and to threaten India with ruin and devastation.

The loss of the enemy has been immense; an estimate of it must be

formed with a due allowance for the spirit of exaggeration which

pervades all statements of Asiatics, where their interest leads them

to magnify numbers; but our own observation on the river banks and in

the enemy's camp combine, with the reports brought to our intelligence

department, to convince me that the Khalsa casualties were between

8,000 and 10,000 men killed and wounded in action, and drowned

in the passage of the river. Amongst the slain, are Sirdars Sham

Singh, Attareewalla, Generals Gholab Singh, Koopta, and Heera Singh,

Topee, Sirdar Kishen Singh, son of the late Jemadar Kooshall Singh,

Generals Mobaruck Ally, and Illahee Buksh, and Shah Newaz Khan, son of

Futteh-ood-deen Khan, of Kussoor. The body of Sham Singh was sought for

in the captured camp by his followers; and, respecting the gallantry

with which he is reported to have devoted himself to death rather than

accompany the army in its flight, I forbade his people being molested

in their search, which was finally successful.

The consequences of this great action have yet to be fully developed.

It has at least, in God's providence, once more expelled the Sikhs from

our territory, and planted our standards on the soil of the Punjaub.

After occupying their entrenched position for nearly a month, the

Khalsa army had, perhaps, mistaken the caution which had induced us to

wait for the necessary material, for timidity. But they must now deeply

feel, that the blow which has fallen on them from the British arm, has

only been the heavier for being long delayed.

I have, etc.,

(Signed) H. Gough, General,

Commander-in-Chief, East Indies.

XII.

[Page 184.]

The monument erected to the memory of Sir Robert Dick, at the church of

Tullymet, Perthshire, by his brother officers, is of white marble; the

main features being a sculptured representation of the veteran soldier,

who has just received the deadly shot, whilst animating, by his

dauntless example, Her Majesty's 80th Regiment. In the upper portion

of the monument is a group of war trophies; and, surrounded by laurel,

are inscribed the names of the several battles in which this gallant

officer had participated.

SACRED TO THE MEMORY

OF

MAJOR-GENERAL SIR ROBERT HENRY DICK,

K.C.B., K.C.H.,

WHO, AFTER DISTINGUISHED SERVICES IN THE PENINSULA,

IN THE COMMAND OF A LIGHT BATTALION,

AT WATERLOO, WITH THE 42ND ROYAL HIGHLAND REGIMENT, FELL

MORTALLY WOUNDED, WHILST LEADING THE THIRD DIVISION OF

THE ARMY OF THE SUTLEJ TO THE ATTACK ON THE

SIKH ENTRENCHED CAMP, AT SOBRAON,

ON THE

10TH OF FEBRUARY, 1846.

* * * * *

THE OFFICERS WHO HAD THE HONOUR OF SERVING UNDER HIM IN

HIS LAST BATTLE, AND OTHERS, HIS FRIENDS, IN HER

MAJESTY'S AND THE HONOURABLE EAST INDIA

COMPANY'S SERVICE, IN BENGAL,

HAVE CAUSED THIS MONUMENT TO BE PLACED IN

HIS PARISH CHURCH,

IN TESTIMONY OF THEIR RESPECT AND AFFECTION FOR A

GENEROUS, COURTEOUS, AND CONSIDERATE

COMMANDER,

A GALLANT AND DEVOTED SOLDIER.

XIII.

[Page 194.]

PROCLAMATION OF PEACE.

Foreign Department, Camp, Lahore, Feb. 22nd, 1846.

The British Army has this day occupied the gateway of the citadel

of Lahore the Badshahee Mosque, and the Hazuree Bagh. The remaining

part of the citadel is the residence of his highness, the Maharajah,

and also that of the families of the late Maharajah Runjeet Singh,

for so many years the faithful ally of the British Government. In

consideration of these circumstances, no troops will be posted within

the precincts of the palace-gate.

The army of the Sutlej has now brought its operations in the field to a

close, by the dispersion of the Sikh army, and the military occupation

of Lahore, preceded by a series of the most triumphant successes ever

recorded in the military history of India. The British Government,

trusting to the faith of treaties, and to long subsisting friendship

between the two states, had limited military preparations to the

defence of its own frontier.

Compelled suddenly to assume the offensive, by the unprovoked

invasion of its territories, the British army, under the command

of its distinguished leader, has, in sixty days, defeated the Sikh

forces in four general actions; has captured 220 pieces of field

artillery; and is now at the capital, dictating to the Lahore Durbar

the terms of a treaty, the conditions of which will tend to secure

the British provinces from the repetition of a similar outrage. The

Governor-General being determined, however, to mark with reprobation

the perfidious character of the war, has required and will exact, that

every remaining piece of Sikh artillery which has been pointed against

the British army during the campaign shall be surrendered. The Sikh

army, whose insubordinate conduct is one of the chief causes of the

anarchy and misrule which have brought the Sikh state to the brink of

destruction, is about to be disbanded.

The soldiers of the army of the Sutlej have not only proved their

superior prowess in battle, but have, on every occasion, with

subordination and patience, endured the fatigues and privations

inseparable from a state of active operations in the field. The native

troops of this army have also proved that a faithful attachment to

their colours, and to the Company's service, is an honourable feature

in the character of the British sepoy. The Governor-General has

repeatedly expressed, on his own part and on that of the Government of

India, admiration and gratitude for the important services which the

army has rendered. The Governor-General is now pleased to resolve, as a

testimony of the approbation of the Government of India of the bravery,

discipline, and soldier-like bearing of the army of the Sutlej, that

all the generals, officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates,

shall receive a gratuity of twelve months' batta.

Every regiment which, in obedience to its orders, may have remained

in posts and forts between Loodianna and Ferozepore, and was not

present in action--as in the case of the troops ordered to remain

at Moodkee to protect the wounded, and those left in the forts of

Ferozepore and Loodianna--shall receive the gratuity of twelve

months' batta. Obedience to orders is the first duty of a soldier;

and the Governor-General, in affirming the principle, can never admit

that absence caused by the performance of indispensable duties, on

which the success of the operations in the field greatly depended,

ought to disqualify any soldier placed in these circumstances, from

participating in the gratuity given for the general good conduct of

the army in the field. All regiments and individuals ordered to the

frontier, and forming part of the army of the Sutlej, which may have

reached Loodianna or Bussean before the date of this order, will be

included as entitled to the gratuity.

By order of the Right Hon. the Governor-General of India,

F. Currie,

Secretary to the Government of India

with the Governor-General.

XIV.

[Page 194.]

FIRST TREATY WITH LAHORE OF 1846.

_Treaty between the British Government and the State of Lahore,

concluded at Lahore, on the 9th of March, 1846._

WHEREAS the treaty of amity and concord, which was concluded between

the British Government and the late Maharajah Runjeet Singh, the Ruler

of Lahore, in 1809, was broken by the unprovoked aggression on the

British provinces, of the Sikh army, in December last: And whereas,

on that occasion, by the Proclamation dated the 13th of December, the

territories then in the occupation of the Maharajah of Lahore, on the

left or British bank of the river Sutlej, were confiscated and annexed

to the British provinces; and, since that time, hostile operations have

been prosecuted by the two Governments, the one against the other,

which have resulted in the occupation of Lahore by the British troops:

And whereas it has been determined that, upon certain conditions, peace

shall be re-established between the two Governments, the following

treaty of peace between the Honourable English East India Company,

and Maharajah Dhuleep Singh Bahadoor, and his children, heirs and

successors, has been concluded, on the part of the Honourable Company,

by Frederick Currie, Esq., and Brevet Major Henry Montgomery Lawrence,

by virtue of full powers to that effect vested in them by the Right

Honourable Sir Henry Hardinge, G.C.B., one of Her Britannic Majesty's

most Honourable Privy Council, Governor-General, appointed by the

Honourable Company to direct and control all their affairs in the East

Indies; and, on the part of his Highness the Maharajah Dhuleep Singh,

by Bhaee Ram Singh, Rajah Lall Singh, Sirdar Tej Singh, Sirdar Chutter

Singh Attareewalla, Sirdar Runjoor Singh Mujetheea, Dewan Deena Nath,

and Fakeer Noor-ood-deen, vested with full power and authority on the

part of his Highness.

Article 1.--There shall be perpetual peace and friendship between the

British Government, on the one part, and Maharajah Dhuleep Singh, his

heirs and successors, on the other.

Article 2.--The Maharajah of Lahore renounces for himself, his heirs

and successors, all claim to, or connection with, the territories lying

to the south of the river Sutlej, and engages never to have any concern

with those territories, or the inhabitants thereof.

Article 3.--The Maharajah cedes to the Honourable Company, in perpetual

sovereignty, all his forts, territories, and rights, in the Doab, or

country, hill and plain, situate between the rivers Beas and Sutlej.

Article 4.--The British Government having demanded from the Lahore

State as indemnification for the expenses of the war, in addition to

the cession of territory described in Article 3, payment of one and a

half crores of rupees; and the Lahore Government being unable to pay

the whole of this sum at this time, or to give security satisfactory to

the British Government for its eventual payment; the Maharajah cedes

to the Honourable Company, in perpetual sovereignty, as equivalent for

one crore of rupees, all his forts, territories, rights, and interests,

in the hill countries which are situate between the rivers Beas and

Indus, including the provinces of Cashmere and Hazarah.

Article 5.--The Maharajah will pay to the British Government the sum of

fifty lacs of rupees on or before the ratification of this treaty.

Article 6.--The Maharajah engages to disband the mutinous troops of

the Lahore army, taking from them their arms; and his Highness agrees

to reorganize the regular, or Aieen, or regiments of infantry, upon

the system, and according to the regulations as to pay and allowances,

observed in the time of the late Maharajah Runjeet Singh. The Maharajah

further engages to pay up all arrears to the soldiers that are

discharged under the provisions of this article.

Article 7.--The regular army of the Lahore State shall henceforth be

limited to 25 battalions of infantry, consisting of 800 bayonets each,

with 12,000 cavalry: this number at no time to be exceeded without the

concurrence of the British Government. Should it be necessary at any

time, for any special cause, that this force should be increased, the

cause shall be fully explained to the British Government; and when the

special necessity shall have passed, the regular troops shall be again

reduced to the standard specified in the former clause of this article.

Article 8.--The Maharajah will surrender to the British Government all

the guns, thirty-six in number, which have been pointed against the

British troops, and which, having been placed on the right bank of the

river Sutlej, were not captured at the battle of Sobraon.

Article 9.--The control of the rivers Beas and Sutlej, with the

continuations of the latter river, commonly called the Garrah and

Punjnud, to the confluence of the Indus at Mithenkote, and the control

of the Indus from Mithenkote to the borders of Beloochistan, shall, in

respect to tolls and ferries, rest with the British Government. The

provisions of this article shall not interfere with the passage of

boats belonging to the Lahore Government on the said rivers, for the

purposes of traffic, or the conveyance of passengers up and down their

course. Regarding the ferries between the two countries respectively,

at the several ghâts of the said rivers, it is agreed that the British

Government, after defraying all the expenses of management and

establishments, shall account to the Lahore Government for one half

of the net profits of the ferry collections. The provisions of this

article have no reference to the ferries on that part of the river

Sutlej which forms the boundary of Bhawulpore and Lahore respectively.

Article 10.--If the British Government should, at any time, desire to

pass troops through the territories of his Highness the Maharajah,

for the protection of the British territories, or those of their

allies, the British troops shall, on such special occasions, due

notice being given, be allowed to pass through the Lahore territories.

In such case the officers of the Lahore State will afford facilities

in providing supplies, and boats for the passage of rivers; and the

British Government will pay the full price of all such provisions and

boats, and will make fair compensation for all private property that

may be endamaged. The British Government will moreover observe all due

consideration to the religious feelings of the inhabitants of those

tracts through which the army may pass.

Article 11.--The Maharajah engages never to take, or retain, in his

service, any British subject, nor the subject of any European or

American State without the consent of the British Government.

Article 12.--In consideration of the services rendered by Rajah Goolab

Singh of Jummoo to the Lahore State, towards procuring the restoration

of the relations of amity between the Lahore and British Governments,

the Maharajah hereby agrees to recognise the independent sovereignty of

Rajah Goolab Singh, in such territories and districts in the hills as

may be made over to the said Rajah Goolab Singh by separate agreement

between himself and the British Government, with the dependencies

thereof, which may have been in the Rajah's possession since the time

of the late Maharajah Khurruk Singh: and the British Government, in

consideration of the good conduct of Rajah Goolab Singh, also agrees to

recognise his independence in such territories, and to admit him to the

privileges of a separate treaty with the British Government.

Article 13.--In the event of any dispute or difference arising between

the Lahore State and Rajah Goolab Singh, the same shall be referred

to the arbitration of the British Government; and by its decision the

Maharajah engages to abide.

Article 14.--The limits of the Lahore territories shall not be, at any

time changed, without the concurrence of the British Government.

Article 15.--The British Government will not exercise any interference

in the internal administration of the Lahore State; but in all cases

or questions which may be referred to the British Government, the

Governor-General will give the aid of his advice and good offices for

the furtherance of the interests of the Lahore Government.

Article 16.--The subjects of either State shall, on visiting the

territories of the other, be on the footing of the subjects of the most

favoured nation.

This treaty, consisting of sixteen articles, has been this day settled

by Frederick Currie, Esq., and Brevet Major Henry Montgomery Lawrence,

acting under the directions of the Right Honourable Sir Henry Hardinge,

G.C.B., Governor-General, on the part of the British Government; and

by Bhaee Bam Singh, Rajah Lall Singh, Sirdar Tej Singh, Sirdar Chutter

Singh Attareewalla, Sirdar Runjoor Singh Mujetheea, Dewan Deena Nath,

and Fakeer Noor-ood-deen, on the part of Maharajah Dhuleep Singh; and

the said treaty has been this day ratified by the seal of the Right

Honourable Sir Henry Hardinge, G.C.B., Governor-General, and by that of

his Highness Dhuleep Singh.

Done at Lahore, this 9th day of March, in the year of our Lord 1846,

corresponding with the 10th day of Rubbeeool-awul, 1262, Hijree, and

ratified on the same day.

[Page 194.]

SUPPLEMENTARY ARTICLES TO THE FIRST TREATY WITH LAHORE OF 1846.

_Articles of Agreement concluded between the British Government and

the Lahore Durbar, on the 11th of March, 1846._

WHEREAS the Lahore Government has solicited the Governor-General to

leave a British force at Lahore for the protection of the Maharajah's

person and of the capital, till the reorganization of the Lahore army,

according to the provisions of Article 6 of the Treaty of Lahore, dated

the 9th instant: And whereas the Governor-General has, on certain

conditions, consented to the measure: And whereas it is expedient that

certain matters concerning the territories ceded by articles 3 and 4 of

the aforesaid treaty should be specifically determined; the following

eight articles of agreement have this day been concluded between the

afore-mentioned contracting parties.

Article 1.--The British Government shall leave at Lahore, till the

close of the current year, A.D. 1846, such force as shall seem to the

Governor-General adequate for the purpose of protecting the person of

the Maharajah, and the inhabitants of the city of Lahore, during the

reorganization of the Sikh army, in accordance with the provisions of

article 6 of the treaty of Lahore; that force to be withdrawn at any

convenient time before the expiration of the year, if the object to be

fulfilled shall, in the opinion of the Durbar, have been obtained; but

the force shall not be detained at Lahore beyond the expiration of the

current year.

Article 2.--The Lahore Government agrees that the force left at Lahore

for the purpose specified in the foregoing article, shall be placed in

full possession of the fort and the city of Lahore, and that the Lahore

troops shall be removed from within the city. The Lahore Government

engages to furnish convenient quarters for the officers and men of the

said force, and to pay to the British Government all the extra expenses

in regard to the said force, which may be incurred by the British

Government, in consequence of them troops being employed away from

their own cantonments, and in a foreign territory.

Article 3.--The Lahore Government engages to apply itself immediately

and earnestly to the reorganization of its army, according to the

prescribed conditions, and to communicate fully with the British

authorities left at Lahore, as to the progress of such reorganization,

and as to the location of the troops.

Article 4.--If the Lahore Government fails in the performance of the

conditions of the foregoing article, the British government shall be

at liberty to withdraw the force from Lahore, at any time before the

expiration of the period specified in Article 1.

Article 5.--The British Government agrees to respect the _bonâ fide_

rights of those Jaghirdars within the territories ceded by Articles 3

and 4 of the Treaty of Lahore, dated the 9th instant, who were attached

to the families of the late Maharajah Runjeet Singh, Khurruk Singh and

Shere Singh; and the British Government wall maintain these Jaghirdars

in their _bonâ fide_ possessions, during their lives.

Article 6.--The Lahore Government shall receive the assistance of the

British local authorities in recovering the arrears of revenue justly

due to the Lahore Government from their Kardars and managers in the

territories ceded by the provisions of Articles 3 and 4 of the Treaty

of Lahore, to the close of the Khureef harvest of the current year,

viz. 1902, of the Sumbut Bikramajeet.

Article 7.--The Lahore Government shall be at liberty to remove from

the forts in the territories specified in the foregoing article, all

treasures and state property with the exception of guns. Should,

however, the British Government desire to retain any part of the said

property, they shall be at liberty to do so, paying for the same at a

fair valuation; and the British officers shall give their assistance

to the Lahore Government in disposing on the spot of such part of the

aforesaid property as the Lahore Government may not wish to remove, and

the British officers may not desire to retain.

Article 8.--Commissioners shall be immediately appointed by the two

Governments, to settle and lay down the boundary between the two

States, as defined by Article 4 of the Treaty of Lahore, dated March

the 9th, 1846.

XV.

[Page 198.]

PUNCHEESS or Punchayets were a jury or assembly of five persons. These

assemblies, which were of very ancient origin, obtained, both in the

military and civil services of the Sikhs. In the former, five men who

had distinguished themselves by their valour, were selected from every

battalion or company, and to them were referred for decision, all

affairs which brought the army into contact with the Government. In the

latter, every tribe had its Punt. The system was also generally adopted

in every trade and calling. The decision of the Punchees was definitive.

XVI.

[Page 200.]

TREATY WITH GOOLAB SINGH OF 1846.

_Treaty between the British Government and Maharajah Goolab Singh,

concluded at Umritsur on March 16th, 1846._

TREATY between the British Government on the one part, and Maharajah

Goolab Singh of Jummoo on the other, concluded on the part of the

British Government, by Frederick Currie, Esq., and Brevet Major Henry

Montgomery Lawrence, acting under the orders of the Right Honourable

Sir Henry Hardinge, G.C.B., one of Her Britannic Majesty's most

Honourable Privy Council, Governor-General, appointed by the Honourable

Company to direct and control all their affairs in the East Indies, and

by Maharajah Goolab Singh in person.

Article 1.--The British Government transfers and makes over, for

ever, in independent possession, to Maharajah Goolab Singh, and the

heirs male of his body, all the hilly or mountainous country, with its

dependencies, situated to the eastward of the river Indus, and westward

of the river Ravee, including Chumba and excluding Lahool, being part

of the territory ceded to the British Government by the Lahore State,

according to the provisions of Article 4 of the Treaty of Lahore, dated

March the 9th, 1846.

Article 2.--The eastern boundary of the tract transferred by the

foregoing Article to Maharajah Goolab Singh shall be laid down by

commissioners appointed by the British Government and Maharajah Goolab

Singh respectively, for that purpose, and shall be defined in a

separate engagement, after survey.

Article 3.--In consideration of the transfer made to him and his heirs

by the provisions of the foregoing Articles, Maharajah Goolab Singh

will pay to the British Government the sum of seventy-five lakhs of

rupees (Nanukshahee), fifty lakhs to be paid on ratification of this

treaty, and twenty-five lakhs on or before the 1st of October of the

current year, A.D. 1846.

Article 4.--The limits of the territories of Maharajah Goolab Singh

shall not be at any time changed without the concurrence of the British

Government.

Article 5.--Maharajah Goolab Singh will refer to the arbitration of the

British Government any disputes or questions that may arise between

himself and the Government of Lahore, or any other neighbouring State,

and will abide by the decision of the British Government.

Article 6.--Maharajah Goolab Singh engages for himself and heirs,

to join, with the whole of his military force, the British troops,

when employed within the hills, or in the territories adjoining his

possessions. Article 7.--Maharajah Goolab Singh engages never to

take, or retain, in his service any British subject, nor the subject

of any European or American State, without the consent of the British

Government.

Article 8.--Maharajah Goolab Singh engages to respect, in regard to

the territory transferred to him, the provisions of Articles 5, 6, and

7, of the separate engagement between the British Government and the

Lahore Durbar, dated March the 11th, 1846.

Article 9.--The British Government will give its aid to Maharajah

Goolab Singh, in protecting his territories from external enemies.

Article 10.--Maharajah Goolab Singh acknowledges the supremacy of the

British Government, and will, in token of such supremacy, present

annually to the British Government one horse, twelve perfect shawl

goats of approved breed (six male and six female), and three pairs of

Cashmere shawls.

This treaty, consisting of ten articles, has been this day settled by

Frederick Currie, Esq., and Brevet Major Henry Montgomery Lawrence,

acting under the directions of the Right Honourable Sir Henry Hardinge,

G.C.B., Governor-General, on the part of the British Government, and

by Maharajah Goolab Singh in person; and the said treaty has been this

day ratified by the seal of the Right Honourable Sir Henry Hardinge,

G.C.B., Governor-General.

Done at Umritsur, this 16th day of March, in the year of our Lord 1846,

corresponding with the 17th day of Rubbeeool-awul, 1262, Hijree.

XVII.

[Page 200.]

SECOND TREATY WITH LAHORE OF 1846.

Foreign Department, Camp, Bhyrowal Ghât, on the

left Bank of the Beas, the 22nd of December, 1846.

THE late Governor of Cashmere on the part of the Lahore State, Sheik

Imam Ooddeen, having resisted by force of arms the occupation of the

province of Cashmere by Maharajah Goolab Singh, the Lahore Government

was called upon to coerce their subject, and to make over the province

to the representative of the British Government, in fulfilment of the

conditions of the treaty of Lahore, dated the 9th of March, 1846.

A British force was employed to support and aid, if necessary, the

combined forces of the Lahore State and Maharajah Goolab Singh in the

above operations.

Sheik Imam Ooddeen intimated to the British Government that he was

acting under orders received from the Lahore Durbar in the course

he was pursuing; and stated that the insurrection was instigated by

written instructions received by him from the Vizier Rajah Lall Singh.

Sheik Imam Ooddeen surrendered to the British Agent on a guarantee

from that officer, that if the Sheik could, as he asserted, prove

that his acts were in accordance with his instructions, and that the

opposition was instigated by the Lahore minister, the Durbar should not

be permitted to inflict upon him, either in his person or his property,

any penalty on account of his conduct on this occasion. The British

Agent pledged his Government to a full and impartial investigation of

the matter.

A public inquiry was instituted into the facts adduced by Sheik Imam

Ooddeen, and it was fully established that Rajah Lall Singh did

secretly instigate the Sheik to oppose the occupation by Maharajah

Goolab Singh of the province of Cashmere.

The Governor-General immediately demanded that the ministers and Chiefs

of the Lahore State should depose and exile to the British provinces

the Vizier Rajah Lall Singh.

* * * * *

His Lordship consented to accept the deposition of Rajah Lall Singh

as an atonement for the attempt to infringe the treaty by the secret

intrigues and machinations of the Vizier. It was not proved that the

other members of the Durbar had cognizance of the Vizier's proceedings;

and the conduct of the Sirdars, and of the Sikh army in the late

operations for quelling the Cashmere insurrection, and removing the

obstacles to the fulfilment of the treaty, proved that the criminality

of the Vizier was not participated in by the Sikh nation.

The Ministers and Chiefs unanimously decreed, and carried into

immediate effect, the deposition of the Vizier.

After a few days' deliberations, relative to the means of forming

a Government at Lahore, the remaining members of the Durbar, in

concert with all the Sirdars and Chiefs of the State, solicited the

interference and aid of the British Government for the maintenance of

an administration, and the protection of the Maharajah Dhuleep Singh

during the minority of his Highness.

This solicitation by the Durbar and Chiefs has led to the temporary

modification of the relations between the British Government and that

of Lahore, established by the treaty of the 9th of March of the present

year.

The terms and conditions of this modification are set forth in the

following Articles of Agreement.

_Articles of Agreement concluded between the British Government and

the Lahore Durbar, on 16th of December, 1846._

Whereas the Lahore Durbar and the principal Chiefs and Sirdars of the

State have, in express terms, communicated to the British Government

their anxious desire that the Governor-General should give his aid

and his assistance to maintain the administration of the Lahore State

during the minority of Maharajah Dhuleep Singh, and have declared this

measure to be indispensable for the maintenance of the government: And

whereas the Governor-General has, under certain conditions, consented

to give the aid and assistance solicited, the following articles of

agreement, in modification of the articles of agreement executed at

Lahore on the 11th of March last, have been concluded, on the part of

the British Government, by Frederick Currie, Esq., Secretary to the

Government of India, and Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Montgomery Lawrence,

C.B., Agent to the Governor-General, North-West Frontier, by virtue

of full power to that effect vested in them by the Right Honourable

Viscount Hardinge, G.C.B., Governor-General, and on the part of his

Highness Maharajah Dhuleep Singh, by Sirdar Tej Singh, Sirdar Shere

Singh, Dewan Deena Nath, Fakeer Noor-ood-deen, Raee Kishen Chund,

Sirdar Runjoor Singh Mujetheea, Sirdar Utter Singh Kaleewalla, Bhaee

Nidhan Singh, Sirdar Kan Singh Mujetheea, Sirdar Shumshere Singh,

Sirdar Lall Singh Morarea, Sirdar Kher Singh Sindhanwalla, Sirdar Urjun

Singh Rungmungleea, acting with the unanimous consent and concurrence

of the Chiefs and Sirdars of the State assembled at Lahore.

Article 1.--All and every part of the treaty of peace between the

British Government and the state of Lahore, bearing date the 9th day

of March, 1846, except in so far as it may be temporarily modified

in respect to clause 15 of the said treaty by this engagement, shall

remain binding upon the two Governments.

Article 2.--A British officer, with an efficient establishment of

assistants, shall be appointed by the Governor-General to remain at

Lahore, which officer shall have full authority to direct and control

all matters in every department of the State.

Article 3.--Every attention shall be paid in conducting the

Administration to the feelings of the people, to preserving the

national institutions and customs, and to maintain the just rights of

all classes.

Article 4.--Changes in the mode and details of administration shall

not be made, except when found necessary for effecting the objects set

forth in the foregoing clause, and for securing the just dues of the

Lahore Government. These details shall be conducted by native officers,

as at present, who shall be appointed and superintended by a Council

of Regency, composed of leading Chiefs and Sirdars, acting under the

control and guidance of the British Resident.

Article 5.--The following persons shall in the first instance

constitute the Council of Regency, _viz._--Sirdar Tej Singh, Sirdar

Shere Singh Attareewalla, Dewan Deena Nath, Fakeer Noor-ood-deen,

Sirdar Runjoor Singh Mujetheea, Bhaee Nidhan Singh, Sirdar Utter Singh

Kaleewalla, Sirdar Shumshere Singh Sindhanwalla; and no change shall be

made in the persons thus nominated, without the consent of the British

Resident, acting under the orders of the Governor-General.

Article 6.--The administration of the country shall be conducted by

this Council of Regency in such manner as may be determined on by

themselves in consultation with the British Resident, who shall have

full authority to direct and control the duties of every department.

Article 7.--A British force, of such strength and numbers, and in such

positions, as the Governor-General may think fit, shall remain at

Lahore for the protection of the Maharajah, and the preservation of the

peace of the country.

Article 8.--The Governor-General shall be at liberty to occupy with

British soldiers any fort or military post in the Lahore territories,

the occupation of which may be deemed necessary by the British

Government for the security of the capital, or for maintaining the

peace of the country.

Article 9.--The Lahore State shall pay to the British Government

twenty-two lakhs of new Nanukshahee rupees, of full tale and weight,

per annum, for the maintenance of this force, and to meet the expenses

incurred by the British Government, such sum to be paid by two

instalments, or 13 lakhs and 20,000 in May or June, and 8 lakhs and

80,000 in November or December of each year.

Article 10.--Inasmuch as it is fitting that her Highness the

Maharannee, the mother of Maharajah Dhuleep Singh, should have a proper

provision made for the maintenance of herself and dependents, the sum

of one lakh and 50,000 rupees shall be set apart annually for that

purpose, and shall be at her Highness's disposal.

Article 11.--The provisions of this engagement shall have effect during

the minority of his Highness Maharajah Dhuleep Singh, and shall cease

and terminate on his Highness attaining the full age of 16 years, or on

the 4th September of the year 1854; but it shall be competent to the

Governor-General to cause the arrangement to cease, at any period prior

to the coming of age of his Highness, at which the Governor-General

and the Lahore Durbar may be satisfied that the interposition of

the British Government is no longer necessary for maintaining the

government of his Highness the Maharajah.

This agreement, consisting of eleven articles, was settled and executed

at Lahore, by the officers and Chiefs and Sirdars above named, on the

16th day of December, 1846.

XVIII.

[Page 201.]

NOTIFICATION.

Foreign Department, Camp, Ferozepore.

March, 30.

THE Governor-General is pleased to direct, that the accompanying

Proclamation, by which the Punjaub is declared to be a portion of the

British Empire in India, be published for general information, and that

a royal salute be fired at every principal station of the army, on the

receipt thereof.

By order of the Right Honourable, the Governor-General

of India.

P. Melvill,

Under Secretary to the Government of India,

with the Governor-General.

PROCLAMATION OF THE GOVERNOR GENERAL.

Head Quarters, Ferozepore,

March 29, 1849.

FOR many years, in the time of Maharajah Runjeet Singh, peace and

friendship prevailed between the British nation and the Sikhs. When

Runjeet Singh was dead, and his wisdom no longer guided the counsels

of the state, the Sirdars and Khalsa army, without provocation and

without cause, suddenly invaded the British territories. Their army

was again and again defeated. They were driven with slaughter and in

shame from the country they had invaded, and, at the gates of Lahore,

the Maharajah, Dhuleep Singh, tendered to the Governor-General the

submission of himself and his chiefs, and solicited the clemency of the

British Government. The Governor-General extended the clemency of his

Government to the State of Lahore, he generously spared the kingdom

which he had acquired a just right to subvert; and the Maharajah having

been replaced on the throne, treaties of friendship were formed between

the States.

The British have faithfully kept their word, and have scrupulously

observed every obligation which the treaties imposed upon them. But

the Sikh people and their chiefs have, on their part, grossly and

faithlessly violated the promises by which they were bound. Of their

annual tribute no portion whatever has at any time been paid, and

large loans advanced to them by the Government of India have never

been repaid. The control of the British Government, to which they

voluntarily submitted themselves, has been resisted by arms. Peace has

been cast aside. British officers have been murdered when acting for

the State; others engaged in the like employment have treacherously

been thrown into captivity. Finally, the whole of the State and the

whole Sikh people, joined by many of the Sirdars in the Punjaub who

signed the treaties, and led by a member of the Regency itself, have

risen in arms against us, and have waged a fierce and bloody war for

the proclaimed purpose of destroying the British and their power.

The Government of India formerly declared that it required no further

conquest and it proved by its acts the sincerity of its professions.

The Government of India has no desire for conquest now; but it is

bound in its duty to provide fully for its own security, and to guard

the interests of those committed to its charge. To that end, and as the

only sure mode of protecting the State from the perpetual recurrence

of unprovoked and wasting wars, the Governor-General is compelled

to resolve upon the entire subjection of a people whom their own

Government has long been unable to control, and whom (as events have

now shown) no punishment can deter from violence, no act of friendship

can conciliate to peace. Wherefore the Governor-General of India has

declared, and hereby proclaims, that the kingdom of the Punjaub is

at an end; and that all the territories of Maharajah Dhuleep Singh,

are now and henceforth a portion of the British empire in India. His

Highness the Maharajah shall be treated with consideration and with

honour.

The few chiefs who have not engaged in hostilities against the British

shall retain their property and their rank. The British Government

shall leave to all the people, whether Mussulman, Hindoo or Sikh, the

free exercise of their own religions, but it will not permit any man to

interfere with others in the observance of such forms and customs as

their respective religions may either enjoin or permit.

The jaghires and all the property of Sirdars, and others who have been

in arms against the British, shall be confiscated to the State. The

defences of every fortified place in the Punjaub which is not occupied

by British troops shall be totally destroyed, and effectual measures

shall be taken to deprive the people of the means of renewing either

tumult or war.

The Governor-General calls upon all the inhabitants of the Punjaub,

Sirdars, and people, to submit themselves peaceably to the authority of

the British Government, which has hereby been proclaimed.

Over those who shall live as obedient and peaceful subjects of the

State, the British Government will rule with mildness and beneficence.

But if resistance to constituted authority shall again be attempted,

if violence and turbulence be renewed, the Governor-General warns the

people of the Punjaub that the time for leniency will then have passed

away, and that their offence will be punished with prompt and most

rigorous severity.

By order of the Right Honourable the Governor-General

of India.

H.M. Elliott,

Secretary to the Government of India,

with the Governor-General.

XIX.

[Page 241.]

AFTER SHAH SOOJAH of Cabool had lost his throne, the number of Northern

horses formerly sent to India became greatly reduced. Hence studs were

formed by the East India Company in Bengal. Some of the stud horses

have English, some Arab blood. The losses in the Sikh campaign of

1845-46 were 1,300 horses killed and wounded. Now the animal re-mount

is equal to about one twentieth of the full complement of Horse

Artillery, Dragoons, Light Cavalry, and Field Batteries; so, supposing

the complement to be 10,000 horses, the re-mounts yearly are 500.

Some time since an officer was sent to Sydney, New South Wales, to

procure horses. Many of these horses have heavy shoulders; but it is

certain that good and serviceable ones may be bred in New South Wales.

A mixture of English and Arab blood is required; and the stud should

be there and not in India. Some persons, however, are of opinion that

it is best to breed them in the climate in which they are to live.

Lord William Bentinck nearly destroyed the central stud at Buxar and

Kurruntadhee. The Cape has been tried; but the horses though strong are

under size.

XX.

[Page 294.]

ONE hundred and twenty thousand pounds seems to be a large sum even

as the annual revenue of an Emperor of Delhi, but it must be borne in

mind that the Emperor's family, including his seraglio, suite, and

dependents, amounted, at least, to 4,000 persons. Just now there is a

political difficulty respecting the succession to the throne of Delhi.

When Shah Allum died in 1806, he was succeeded by his eldest son,

Akbar, although he endeavoured to secure the throne for his third son,

Wulli Ahud; but this was refused by the British Government. The present

Emperor (1854), desires that his younger son, Prince Jewan Bukht,

should succeed him, and has actually invested him with the imperial

dignity without waiting for the sanction of the East India Company.

Generally speaking, younger sons are more obedient to their fathers;

for the eldest often sticks upon his rights, and this doubtless is the

case in the family of the Emperor of Delhi.

XXI.

[Page 344.]

THIS extract is from the pen of my lamented friend the late Right

Reverend Dr. James, Lord Bishop of Calcutta, in his most interesting

work, entitled "Journal of a Tour through Germany, Sweden, Russia,

and Poland," 1813-1814, third edition 1819, vol. i., pp. 5-6. Poor

Dr. James was for some years, and up to the period of his leaving

England for India, Vicar of Silsoe, in Bedfordshire, where I resided

with my father during my holidays--for I am speaking now of more

than twenty years ago, at a period when I was at the school of my

most esteemed friend and much valued correspondent, the Rev. John

Fell, M.A., Huntingdon--I can remember distinctly Dr. James's kind and

excellent advice to me, and the undissembled pleasure which shone in

his countenance every time I met him. How very brief was his term of

usefulness in his far distant diocese, for he only reached it to die

there!

XXII.

[Page 355.]

THERE are many customs observed in India which are mentioned in the

Old and New Testaments, to wit:--the custom above named of _drawing

water_, "Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters

of the men of the city come out to draw water." Gen. xxiv. 13. "And the

damsel was very fair to look upon; and she went down to the well, and

filled her pitcher, and came up," verse 16; and in verse 15 we read,

"with her pitcher upon her shoulder."--Again "_trough for watering

cattle_." In India there are troughs made of brick and mortar, and

sometimes also of earth, whither the camels and horses are taken to

drink water.--_Cakes_, "And make cakes upon the hearth" Gen. xviii. 6.

These cakes are placed upon an iron plate and turned often.--_Milch

Camels,_ "Thirty milch camels with their colts," Gen. xxxii. 15.

The milk of camels is drunk by the natives of India when in a weak

state of health; it is more nutritious than asses' milk, and is very

fattening.--_Earrings_, "And all their ear-rings which were in their

ears," Gen. xxxv. 4. Men as well as women in India wear ear-rings,

nay even many of the native officers of the Sepoy corps.--_Wheat in a

mortar_, "Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat

with a pestle," Prov. xxvii. 22. Wheat is frequently brayed in a

mortar to clear it from the chaff.--_Not new wine into old bottles_,

Our Saviour said, "Neither do men put new wine into old bottles; else

the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish:

but they put new wine into new bottles: and both are preserved," Matt.

ix. 17. Sir J. Chardin, a well-known traveller in India says; compare

Joshua ix. 4. "The Arabs and all those who live a wandering life,

still keep their milk, water, and other liquors in leathern bottles

(_mashks_) which are generally made of goats' skins." In India water

is put into sheeps' skins. "These natives never go a journey without

a small leathern bottle of water hanging by their side like a scrip;

when these bottles are old, and much used, they mend them, either by

sewing on a piece, or by gathering up the broken place, in the manner

of a purse." The Bombay Column which went to Affghanistan and Cabool,

in 1839, had each man a little keg of wood, painted white, large enough

to contain a quart of water; and it is to be regretted that the troops

in the Sikh campaign of 1845-6 were not similarly supplied, for they

suffered much from want of water. Surgeon Taylor in his report of

killed and wounded, in H.M. 29th regiment, with the army of the Sutlej,

in 1845-46, says; "during the three days they remained exposed to

the powerful heat of the sun by day, and the very disproportionately

cold air of the night, many of them suffered from the most agonizing

thirst; only a very small quantity of water could be got, and that was

very putrid. The excessive thirst of the men, and the impossibility of

obtaining water may be judged of by the fact, that on the morning of

the 22nd, men of this and other regiments were literally seen to drink

their own urine."

_Grinding grain_, "Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one

shall be taken and the other left," Matt. xxiv. 41. Dr. E. Clarke says;

"The two women, seated on the ground, held between them two round flat

stones. In the centre of the upper stone was a cavity for pouring in

the corn, and by the side of this, an upright wooden handle, for moving

the stone. As the operation began, one of the women, with her right

hand, pushed this handle to the woman opposite, who again sent it to

her companion; thus communicating a rotary and very rapid motion to the

upper stone, the left hand being all the while employed in supplying

fresh corn, as fast as the bran and flour escaped from the sides of the

machine."

The above are large stones, called in India chakkis, sometimes a

smaller kind is used by one woman who turns the chakki round with her

right hand, from left to right, in the same rotary motion; the women

may be heard at this work in the villages before daybreak, singing

their monotonous songs to while away the time. They also form an

important appendage to a cavalry corps, having to grind all the corn

required for the horses.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 112: Eleven guns since ascertained to be sunk in the river,

total sixty-seven; thirty odd jinjalls fell into our hands.]

J. WERTHEIMER AND CO., PRINTERS, FINSBURY CIRCUS.