The Sun.
London, England, 1846-10-09 00:00:00

y.,.- /5......

STATE OF AFFAIRS IN THE
PUNJAU B.
(From the Times )
LAHORE, AUG. 10.—Since I wrote to you in June the
course of events here has been steadily progressing in
-the direction a hich I then pointed out, as I shall leave
you to judge from the following brief statement of the
leading events that have occurred in the Punjaub since
the date of my former letter.
The Seikh troops throughout the country are display-
ing an insubordinate spirit. Reports of their disaffection
and dissatisfaction arc being constantly made from all
parts by the superintendents of districts. The trooes
do not appear to be actuated by a feeling arising
from any particular grievance, but solely by a
desire for change, and a longing for the golden
times (of not later than last year) when their in-
fluence was paramount, and when they extorted gold
necklaces and bracelets from their nominal rulers at
will. One fact will show their present spirit. Two
regiments which mutinied some time ago were shortly
afterwards ordered to Lahore ; but, instead of coming
to the capital, they marched to a stronghold at some
distance off. From this they have dispatched notice to
the Wuzeer, or Chief Minister, Rajah Lal Singh, that
they wish to be paid up and discharged, as they will net
remain in the Seikh service any longer. A general officer,
who has been sent to restore them to obedience, has just
reported that they are determined to resist by force any
measures taken against them, and that the troops under
his command are too weak to coerce them. Meanwhile
they have sent a deputation to Simla, praying for the
interference of the Governor-General in their behalf.
The quarrel of the Seikh Government with its refrac-
tory Governor of Moultan still remains unadjusted. A
detachment of Seikh troops has lately been defeated by a
body of Affghans in the service of Moultan. In conse-
quence of this, and of the real inability of the Govern-
ment to cope with its powerful Satrap, an influential
member of the Ministry has been dispatched to Moultan,
empowered to conclude peace on the most favourable
terms possible. As I predicted in my former letter
would be the case, the Maharajah of Lahore must just
be content with what his servant of Moultan chooses, of
his good pleasure, to give him.
A tract of country, valued at 100,0001. sterling annu-
ally, has been bestowed on the Wuzeer by himself.
For this he is to provide a military contingent of four
regiments of infantry, 1,200 cavalry, and 23 guns.
This force is now being raised, and drilled after the
British fashion ; the men are chiefly Mahomedans from
the Rajah's estates. This immense jagheer is situated
near his former jagheers, in the territory between the
rivers Thelum and Indus, of which he may now be
considered master. His brother is governor of the chief
portion of it ; the forts there have been taken from
their former governors and placed in charge of adhe-
rents of his own, and they have been repaired, and
their garrisons strengthened ; his territorial influence
there is paramount ; and his little army of 5,000 dis-
ciplined troops will enable him to rule that part of the
country as he pleases. The Wuzeer is now the most
powerful man in the Punjaub, not by virtue of his po
action as Prime Minister, but individually—that is, as
Minister he is nearly powerless (except from British
support); as a local chief he is without an equal.
Eight of the most influential Sirdars have been or-
dered off to Peshawur (on the other side of the Indus);
and a young brother of the Ranee, just rising into no-
tice, is about to be sent on a pilgrimage to Benares
These Sirda,rs were dissatisfied with the Administration,
and were suspected of endeavouring to form a league to
overthrow it, with the Rauee's brother at their head.
They have thus been temporarily got rid of from the
capital.
Soondur Singh, Late Governor of Kangra—who, by
his rebellious obstinacy in refusing to obey the orders of
the Seikh Government to deliver up that strong hill-fort
to the British, according to the treaty, put the latter to
- immense trouble, and his own Government to great ex-
pense (for they will have to pay the expenses incurred
by the preparations for the reduction of Kengra),
and who did not surrender until he saw the British
artillery completely commanding him from a hill which
was thought inaccessible by guns—has been received at
Court with honour. He was introduced by a member of
the Mini- try. His nuzzur (offering) was accepted, and
he was in return presented with a horse as a tokea
of favour. This circumstance is considered a very
strange one here.
Two of the chief officers of the Seikh Government, one
a military chief high in the confidence of the Wuzeer,
the other the most influential councillor in the Durbar,
have thought proper to make known to the British au-
thorities that the Government is losing entirely the sup-
port of the country ; that the chiefs are discontented,
the army insubordinate, and the people at large dissatis-
fisd ; that nothing keeps the Government in power but
the presence of the British troops ; and that a tacit
league exists among the chiefs for its overthrow as soon
as the British force is withdrawn from Lahore. These
stateraents, coming from such a quarter, meet with proper
attention and consideration.
The British authorities have at last been induced to
interfere (hut in the way of advice simply) in the internal
affeirSOr the Punjaub. Main. Lawrence, the Governor-
General's agent for the north-west frontier, who has been
for some time with his Lordship at Simlah, has addressed
the Wuzeer; warning him, in strong terms, of the cease-
quences to himself and the Government if he persists in
his present conduct. Major Lawrence advised him to
setCe the dispute with Moultan by negotiation ; and he
at the same time wrote stringently to the refractory
Governor on the sam,, subject. He has also directed
the late Seikh Governor of Cashmere to cease the at-
tempts which he has been making (at the instigation of
the Wits er, it is well known) to induce the hill tribes
to rebel against their new master, Maharaja Gholab
Singh. T!iese le:ters have made a great impression on
the: mind of the Wuz ?er, whatever may be the result ;
and they are to be followed up by the presence of the
agent's brother (he himself bei.g unwell), who is now
on his way from Sirnlah to Lahore.
e )I:elude by stating that the general opinion
thef-}u4hout India that a total cessation of our con-
r, `with the Punjaub is now impracticable, as the
e!t:?itOrit's for f.rrning a stable Government are supposed
to. be want log in that country.
Ilire icti which I have mentioned, and for the truth of
which I can vouch, will assist you and your readers in
formin,,(yoor own opinion en this subject-
:Whatever le tides in the cold season, we have rendered
the city of Lahore well prepared for the chances of war,
The engineer department has been engaged on the
fortifications ever since the arrival of the British army.
After having repaired the main ramparts, and rendered
them as strong as their construction admits of, they are
now giving the finishing touch to the outworks, by form-
ing- loopholes fir musketry at the gateways, erecting
barriers outside the gates, and placing loopholed screen
walk across the ways of approach.
The weather is very unpleasant and unhealthy here at
present. By the official returns, the number of sick in
hoq-k d is, of the native troops five per cent., of the
European troops 17 per cent. HYDRAOTES. -