The Sun.
London, England, 1846-04-20 00:00:00

•
that they were determined once more to fight wi,4l the
' ! British, provided they were supplied with ammunition. lie
added that money was also much required. The RaL7e,
thereupon directed that 5f1,000 rupees should be sent to thy;
camp. Yesterday no news came in from Raja Ghoolab Singh
or from the Maharaja till after 3, which greatly alarmed
the Ranee. It was stated in the letters that came in then
that the Maharaja had reached: Khan Kuch, that the
British camp under the command of the Governor-General
was in Lulleeanee, and that this illustrious officer would ac-
company the Maharaja to Lahore. The Ranee immediately
ordered preparations to be made for the reception. This morn-
ing a letter came in from Rsja Ghoolab Singh, stating that
the Maharaja had been received in a very kind manner by
the Governor-General, who recalled to his mind the friend-
ship which had formerlysubsisted between Maharaja Runjeet
Singh and the British, and assured his Highness that he should
be treated as a son of the Company Saheb Bahadur. After
the interviews, the' Maharaja returned to his camp to
prepare for the reception of the Governor-General. The
Seikh camp was at Kanna, and that of the Governor-Ge-
neral at Kuch, about one-and-a-half koss apart. To-day
both the camps would be at Aminersadoo, about four koss
from Lahore. The news was melt
gratifying to the Ranee,
and she ordered salutes of five guns to be fired in testimony
of her joy. Khodabuksh Kotwal was instructed to make
proclamation that the old friendship between the Seikhs and
the British had been renewed, and that no apprehension of
any kind need be entertained by the inhabitants. A Sarnee
suwar, who came in from the camp with a bag of letters,
went, first to the Havelle of Raja Diteean Singh, and was
asked by a Seikh sepoy, of the name of Hunooman Singh,
belonging to the battalionof Jewun Singh, what news he had
brought. The suwar replied he did not know, as he was only
a carrier of letters, on which the sepoy demanded the bag,
which the suwar refused. The sepoy insisted, and being re-
fused. asked whether theßritishwere really coning to Lahore?
The suwar said they were, and that the Khalsa troops had
now lost their power. The Seikh was enraged, drew his
sword, and severely wounded the suwar, and, on his falling
to the ground, cut off his head ; the servants of Meean
Jowahir Singh, hearing the altercation, ran out, seized the
Seikh and took him before the Ranee, who ordered him t 3

lose both his hands.
FEB. 20.—Another account of the interview which had
taken place between the Maharaja and the Lord Saheb came
in yesterday. It is stated that five Sahebs were sent out one
hoes to meet his Highness. The Ranee has written a pur-
wannah to the Wuzeer, desiring trim to send for Sirdar Tej
Singh and Raja Lall Singh, who were now in the camp of
the Khalsas against their will, and if they were allowed to
come, to make peace between them and the Lord Saheb.
Raja Lall Singh was at the same time addvised of what had
been done. Pundit Mudsuddun (the astrologer) represented
that it was necessary to consult the stars on the present oc-
casion, on which the Ranee remarked that much good his
consultations had done, he might now keep them to him-
self. Bhaia Hurree Singh was desired to provide 1,000 fowls,
and 10,000 eggs, in anticipation of the feast to be given to
the British commanders. Sweetmeats were ordered to a
large amount. Misr Roop Lall wrote from Jesrowta, to say
that the people under him were so refractory that be must
have assistance, or be permitted to engage 500 more sipahees.
He was prohibited from doing anything of the kind,
but told to wait the return of Raja Ghoolab tingh. The
houses in the cantonment of Anarkullee were yester-
day ordered to be put in complete repair for the use
of the British troops, who will, however, encamp in the
first place at Mean Meer. A proclamation was
made this day, to the effect that any person who might abuse
or insult any of the British officers who would be permitted
to visit Lahore, would be instantly punished in the severest
manner. Four British sepoys were posted this day at each
of the gates of the town to prevent any of the European
soldiers from going in. The Nujeebs at the gates have re-
ceived similar orders with regard to the Seikhs. The tents
of the British camp were this morning pitched at Meean
Meer, and the Governor-General and Maharaja came in im-
mediately. Many of the people who left the town out of
fear of the British have been plundered by the Seikhs. These
say that it is all very well for the British to walk into the
Punjaub as they did into Affghanistan, but that the day will
come when they shall be hunted out as they were from that
country. They speak in the highest terms of the bravery of
Sirdar Sham Singh Attareewallah, who was killed at Hur-
reekee. Wheat, mixed with barley, is selling at 15 seers,
grain 16 seers, mot 17, rice 10, fine ditto 7 seers, and other
items in proportion. In the evening the Governor-General
accompanied the Maharaja to the fort, told him he was his
well-wisher, and desired bim to return to the palace and con-
sole the Ranee. The wuzeer was with the party and re-
turned to the camp, the Maharaja remaining in the fort.
It is reported the Governor-General will remain fifteen days
in Lahore.

FEB. 21.—The Metmids of the Raja Ghoolab Singh went
yesterday to the Ranee, and informed her that the camp of
the Maharaja had arrived in Anarkullee, on which she
ordered the Furashes to place four tents and two bechobas,
with gold and silver cloths, and other articles of value, in the
Sheesh Mabel, and issued instructions to the of of the
artillery to fire a salute at the time the Maharaja might
enter the palace. Khoda Bukhsh Kotwal was told to issue
a proclamation that if any servant or attendant of the
officers of the British camp came into the town they were to
be treated with propriety. The Ranee was informed also that
the camp of the Governor. General had reached Meean Meer,
and that he was accompanied by 15 regiments of infantry
and four regiments of cavalry with artillery, the remainder of
the army being four koss off at Ameer Sedoo. In the evening
the Maharaja entered the fort of Lahore. It was rumoured
that his Highness was accompanied by the Lord Saheb, but
that is not the case. The officers who were with him were the
Secretary to the Governor-General, Lawrence Saheb, Cun-
ningham Saheb, and others. They offered 250 rupees at the
Sumad of the late Maharaja Runjeet Singh, and then re-
turned. None of them entered the fort. Raja Ghoolab Singh
accompanied the Sahebs back to the camp, and having done
so, came hack to his own house, where he was engaged till
past midnight in giving orders for a feast to be prepared for
the Saheb Logue. An Lrzee came in from Moonshee Ruttun
Chund, Reeshduraz (long beard), intimating that he had
been in confinement at Saharunpoo, surrounded by guards.
Subsequently he was sent for and asked whether he was
writing any news to the Lahore durbar, and told that if he
did so, he should certainly be imprisoned more closely than
he had hitherto been. To this he replied, that they (the
Sahebs) need not be at all surprised at his writing to the
durbar, the doing so being his bounden duty. This made the
Sahebs angry, and they threatened him much, but at length
released him. He new wrote from the banks of the
Sutlej, and said he would very soon be in Lahore. A
Purwanna was forwarded in reply, instructing him to
make all haste to Lahore. It is known from Goozur
Tulwin that the British troops had crossed at that ford,
and were taking possession of all the places in the Doab.
The kardars of the Sirkar were being expelled and
others put in their place. From the camp of Sirdar
Runjoor Singh it is written that the Khalsa troops having
heard that the British army had reached Kussoor and that
the Maharaja himself was about to proceed to the camp to
settle the matters in dispute between himself and the Bri-
tish, they had collected all the Punches to consult on these
matters. Their chief fear was that they would all be ex-
pelled from the Maharaja's service; that the Rahee Chunda
had contrived all this, and that their best plan would be to
march at once upon Lahore, there again to fight the British
and die gloriously in battle rather than lie under such dis-
grace as was about to be heaped on them. Sirdar Runjoor
Singh and Sirdar Urjun Singh had attempted to absent
themselves from the Council, but were compelled to attend.
They soon after marched in the direction of Lahore, and
reached jullinder the' same day. The artillerymen of
General Sultan Meimood, who had been taken away from
his command, were directed to join him again, but refused
to do so, on which they were told to place themselves under
the orders of Colonel Make Khan. Two gentlemen came
this day to inspect the fort and to pay their respects to the
Ranee. It is not known what passed between them and
her. The guards of the Nujeebs have been removed from the
fort, and are to be replaced by guards from a regiment of
British troops. This is supposed to be preliminary to an in-
terview between the Governor-General and the Sirkar, and
has given much concern to the people in the town, who are
greatly afraid that some disturbances may follow these mea-
sures. Raja Ghoolab Singh has brought some of his own men
from his camp on the other side the river, and placed them in
the Havelee of the late Raja Dhean Singh. It is reported that
the Governor-General having, in the first instanc, expressed
his determination to return to Ferozepore, was induced to alter
his mind at the especial request of the Ranee, who stated, that
unless some determined steps were taken to prevent such a
measure, the Seikhs would certainly come to Lahore when he
was gone, mid create disturbances, and probably put her to
death. A rumour prevails that the Ranee does not wish to
have Raja Ghoolab Singh as Wuzeer, and that he is about to
be dismissed. This is supposed to be in consequence of the
secret arrival of Raja Lall Singh, whom she wishes to be the
Wuzeer. It is now stated that the troops which were at
Phuaihesulloor
have marched towards Umritser. Sirdar Tej Singh
ceremonialsalso gone
necessarythes same place
iao
eous
enciodueereeof h
pretencet
performing
eofdeathohis
fs
nephew. Some
and
dEaunroapfreraan regiments came to encamp at
quence of some Sepoys gteeitan ctoonshee-
Meean Meer,
r3o-fowsiaosa nteoaralTloowccutrrhein
pitched where they
wounded. We daily wantedreceive accounts of what is said to have
Governor-General and the interviews in camp, between the
Seikh Chiefs.
One of the latter
asked the Lord Jungee Saheb
whether it was true he had brought , through an interpreter,
his lady to see the fight
with the Seikhs, as he had done w
h
rattas at Maharajpoor? Th Len he fought the Mah-
e ord Jungee Saheb laughed
much at the question.
FEB. 22.—Yesterday Bhaee Ram Singh
and Dewan Deena
Nath presented themselves at the durbar and announced
that the agent, Lawrence Sahib, was coming Sirdar Cheda
Singh was directed to proceed to receive the. Sahib, whom he
brought to the Huzooree Bagb, where he examined the se-
veral houses and other places. After this he proceeded to the
Badshahe Mosque to look at the magazine. This done he
recommended that some British sepoys should be placed in
the same. After this he entered the fort, examined every
part of the wall near the Mookta gate, and having come
be well to
into the durbar, said it would post.
British troops
I Ghoolab Singh, Provindeea,l who was
throughout. Genera
said, that of course he must do as he pleased, but
present,
the members of the family of Maharaja
suggested that, as _
were living in these parts, the
Runjeet Singh and others
posting of troops so near them might seem wrong. The
Saheb said he would think about the matter, and returned to
Kussud Saheb (Gust) the Secretary
the camp. Shortly after
S e ummun Boorj,
to the Agent, came in and went
into th
ac-
companied by Raja Ghoolab Singh.
The Raneelbeing.within
kunat, he represented that the troops would be placed
n
in the fort and i the Badshahe Musjid. After a
while
he took his leave and returned to the camp, accompanied
by Raja Ghoolab Singh, Bhaee Ram Singh, and Dewan
Deena Nath. The Ranee soon after issued orders to the
Bheias to remove their property and vacate the fort. The
gates of the Badshahe Musjid towards the Huzooree Bagh,
which had been closed since the death of Maharaja Runjeet
Singh, were directed to be thrown open. All this was done
to admit the British troops whom the Ranee is very anxious
to have, as she is very much afraid of the Seikhs. The quarrel
between Raja Ghoolab Singh and the Ranee has increased in
violence, in consequence of her having given these orders
against the wishes of the Raja, who did not want the British
troops admitted into the fort. Intelligence came in from the
camp of Sirdar Tej Singh. That chief went, it appears, alone
to Umritser, Raja Lall Singh, Jellal Khan Buttee, and other
officers of the cavalry marching at the same time from Bur-
hang to a village named Sibnebal, about five koss from La •
bore. Sirdar Shumsher Singh, Sinddanwallah, has written
to Raja Lall Singh, to inquire what he was now to do, as the
army was without leaders or orders. The Raja desired him,
in reply, to remain where he was. The Punches of the
troops are known to have held a council, at which they
deliberated on the question, that having summoned Baja
Ghoolab Singh from Jamoo, to assist them in fighting 'th
British, he had been seduced from his duty
to the Khalsa
by the Ranee, and induced to come to terms, of which
the cession of a large portion of territory was one. This
considered, the next question was, what is to be done now?
Some said that as they had no ammunition, it was per-
fectly useless to go and lose their lives without, any rea-
sonable object, while others said they would rather fight
and die than submit. The result was that they should
wait the arrival of the troops of Sirdar Runjoor Singh,
and then hold further consultations. It is given out that
Sirdar Runjoor: Singh has escaped from his camp and fled
in the direction of Norepore. The troops appointed to the
duty came into the fort and encamped in the Huzooree
Bagh. Raja Ghoolab Singh was engaged till near mid-
night trying to persuade the Ranee to withdraw her orders