The Sun.
London, England, 1840-10-16 00:00:00

THE NAWAUB OF RAMPORE.

AD.
Attention has already been drawn to various in-
stances, as communicated by the List mail from India,
of the acquisition, actual or meditated, of property or
territory from the native States by the Indian Cloven.
ment. Among these, one little noticed, yet exceedingly
curious in its details, is that of the Nawaub of Ram-
pore, an affair of minor importance in itself, but not less
illustrative of the principle by which the Government is
guided in these matters. It appears that the Nawaub
had accumulated great wealth from his ancestors, which
he was supposed to have increased. For twelvemonths
he had lost the use of his limbs by a paralytic stroke.
As his death became more probable, and he had no son,
the British Government made arrangements to prevent
commotions in the city of Rampore, the inhabitants
of which are notorious as a turbulent and sanguinary
race, who often commit such excesses that it is consi•
dcred unsafe fur an European to enter. The wealth
of the Nawaub was concealed in some apartments
to which none had access but himself and his confiden-
tial servants ; and as this was the point likely to attract
all the competitors, and the palace was occupied by
females alone, it was feared that these would be the first
sufferers in any contest that might ensue. In the
country the general opinion was that the Nawaub's
territory was a fief of the British Government held
free of tribute on condition that it should escheat to
the Government on failure of direct heirs, instead
of passing tie collateral branches. As, however, the
Government had not formally signified to the people
an intention of taking possession of the fief on
the demise of the Nawaub, every collateral relative
was ready to assert his claim with the sword, pro-
vided the Government should forego its right. The
task of assuming charge of the fief on the death of
the Nawaub was assigned to Mr. Dick, magistrate
of Bijnore, till some final arrangement should be set-
tled, and he came to Moradabad to be in readiness
to enter the city the instant he should hear of the Na-
waub's death. When he learned that he was actually
expiring, he set out with five companies of native infan-
try and two small pieces of artillery. They proceeded
to a point near Rampore, where they awaited further
intelligence from Mahomed Azeem Akhoonzada, an
inferior officer, who by the aid of a cousin of the
Nawaub had got possession of the palace, to the
exclusion of the Minister, Dhoukul Singh. Mahomed
soon came out to them, and informed Mr. Dick that
the Nawaub was much better, and sent his com-
pliments. This was a mere pretence, as the Nawaub
was not able to speak a word up to the time of his
death, nor did he rally in the slightest degree.
When his death happened, it was kept secret by the
party who had got into power. With the aid of the
women they excluded Dhoukul Singh and his officers,
pretending that they had unreserved communication
with the Nawaub. These collateral relations and their
agents intended to murder Dhoukul Singh and his confi-
dant before the British officers should put their seal on
the property, as they were aware that the Minister was
in the secret of the treasure. He was made acquainted
with his danger, and though messenger after messenger
was sent to him from the palace with the false intelli-
gence that the Nawaub had recovered, he replied that
he knew he was dead, and would not go till his
safety was guaranteed by the presence of the British
troops. He was most anxious to communicate his
knowledge to the British, but had the greatest dif-
ficulty in sending a message, as every one was aware
that in conveying any communication he ran a great
risk of being murdered. At last, however, he con-
trived to send a person, who, disguised as a beggsr,
took a letter to Mr. Dick. His departure was
made known after it was too late to intercept
him, and two guns with scaling ladders were ordered
by the ruling party to destroy the old Minister, Dhou-
kul Singh, and his friends, before the British could re-
lieve him. A brother of one of the Nawaub's concu-
bines led the attacking party, and Dhoukul Singh and
thirty-two of his attendants were murdered, with two
orphan boys he had brought up. They then proceeded
to slaughter all who had in any way served the mur.
dered Minister, even including his tradesmen. These
atrocious acts having been accomplished, Mahomcd
Azeem again sent to the British officers to ask after
their health and to assure them of the Nawaub's reco-
very. To explain the sound of the guns which had
had been heard by the British, he said that the Nawaub
had summoned Dhoukul Singh to attend him, and on
his refusal to come had ordered down a party with
guns to punish him for his contumacy. ,At last
Mr. Dick received the intelligence.that,the Nawaub ,
bad breathed his last; and-tho ,troops, endar tha,cein-
mand of Colonel Palmer entered the town. Mr. Dick
put his seal on the places which the members of the
Nawaub's family, having first taken what they wanted,
assured him contained the treasure. These same parties
were ordered to fill the vacant offices, and as the late
officers, being appointed by the old Minister, had all
been murdered, and those newly appointed were crea-
tures of the reigning party, it is apprehended that there
will be some difficulty in learning the real truth concern-
ing these remarkable transactions. It seems that all
was quiet after the British troops had once taken pos-
session of Rampore.