The Sun.
London, England, 1844-11-04 00:00:00

OVERLAND MAIL!

INDIA AND CHINA.
(From the Times.) •
We have received the Bombay mail of the Ist of
October. The news which it brings is not very re-
markable.

The chief intelligence relates to disturbances in
the southern Mahratta country, which has been some
time in a disturbed state. Some of the malcontents
seized two of the strong hill forts, where they hoisted
the standard of revolt against the Raja of Kholapore.
They consist chiefly of Arab troops, who placed
themselves under some bold leaders, and bade de-
fiance to the Raja and his allies. A force was sent
by the British authorities to disperse them. It con-
sisted of 50 artillerymen and troops, amounting to
about 1,200 men, under the command of Colonel
iVallace, of the Madras army. An attack is said to
have taken place on one of the forts, in which the
rebels defended themselves stoutly with their long
guns. Some soldiers were wounded on the side of
the British, for the hill forts from their position are
difficult.of access. The British were subsequently
firing and throwing shells into the first fort, which is
situate about 25 miles from Belgaum. The other is
18 miles further off.
The Bombay Government was on the alert in
making arrangements for having its disposable regi-
ments ready for any emergency that might arise.
Lieut.-Colonel Wyllie, of the 21st Bombay Native
Infantry, who had taken his passage by the steamer,
was ordered to stop and join his regiment.
The steamers were in Bombay harbour under or-
ders to be ready to remove troops at a moment's notice.
Nothing serious was apprehended, but the Govern-
ment is acting with prudence in being prepared to
meet every difficulty.
Serious riots took place at Surat on the 29th of
August, in consequence of the popular dissatisfaction
on account of the increase of the salt-tax from half
a rupee to one rupee (25.) per maund of 801 b. Troops
were promptly sent there by the Government, and
the disturbances ceased. The Supreme Government
subsequently ordered, by virtue of instructions from
the Court of Directors, that the increased duty should
be in the Bombay Presidency only the sum of one
quarter of a rupee (6d.) per maund. This arrange-
ment has apparently pacified the people, although
there were petitions made against the tax.
In Sinde tranquillity prevailed, and the health of
the troops, with the exception of one or two stations
(Sukkur and Shirkarpore), was very good. The
climate in general in September was highly agreeable,
and half the prejudices excited against the possession
of the Indus by the outcry of some designing per-
sons had vanished. It was even reported that there
was an intention of making it an integral part of the
Bombay Presidency, and of increasing the Bombay
army so as to be able to maintain the British rule in
Sinde. There have been blunders committed by the
troops there. Captain Mackenzie, at the head of some
cavalry, in pursuing the Belochee robbers, came on a
body of armed men ; they were said to be Ryots, who
had gone out to attack the Belochees. His cavalry
cut them to pieces. This fact has been exaggerated,
as if the troops did not spare their own friends. Sir
Charles Napier was proceeding to Upper Sinde, in
order to regulate its affairs on a proper basis.
An inquiry had been instituted into the conduct of
Colonel Moseley, of the 64th Bengal Native Infantry,
on account of'the late mutiny, but the results were not
published. Six of the thirty-eight soldiers concerned
in that disgraceful affair had paid the penalty of their
lives ; the others were variously punished. The 78th
Highlanders were proceeding to Sukkur to relieve
her Majesty's 13th Light Infantry, which regi-
ment will, it is expected, proceed without delay to

Europe.
In the Punjaub confusion and anarchy prevailed
Heera Singh governed at Lahore, in the name o
the young Maharajah Dhuleep. He was engaged in
collecting a force to combat with his own uncle,
Ghoolab Singh, and with the widow of Suchet Singh,
the brother of Ghoolab, who was anxious to punish
Heera for the late dastardly murder of her gallant
husband, Suchet Singh.
There appears to be an apprehension on the British
frontiers that some of those conflicting parties will
enter the British territory, or that of the protected
Sikhs, our allies, where the interference of the Bri-
tish Indian army will become imperative. Notwith-
standing the policy of the present Governor-General,
Sir H. Hardinge, is supposed to be altogether pacific,
he, like former British rulers, must conform to cir-
cumstances, and be ready to defend or to attack. It
was rumoured that Sir H. Hardinge would soon pro-
ceed to the north-west, in order to confer with the
Commander-in-Chief of India, who was at Simla,
and perhaps even with Sir Charles Napier, the Go-
vernor of Sinde.
It is useless to disguise from public view the po-
litical propriety of the British dominion being esta-
blished in the Punjaub, the possession of which fertile
country is necessary to the security of India, as
being the chief gate through which all past invaders
by land have entered. The country is at present a
prey to civil discord, and without any efficient Go-
vernment ; for the Prime Minister and his relatives
were the disputants, and the descendant of Runjeet
Singh was but a mere puppet in their hands.
The Government of Affghanistan, as administered
by Dhost Mahommed, was in the usual state of
turmoil; conspiracies, revolts, and skirmishes about
the revenue kept that chief in continual employment.
The ex-chief of Jeitpore, Pareechut, and his two
relatives, and chief supporters, Puhlwan Singh and
Kummode Singh, both leaders of the rebels who lately
kept the Bundelkund districts in a distracted state,
had offered to make terms with the British ; but after
some parleying with the second, the negotiations are
said to be broken off, to the dissatisfaction of
the troops, who are likely to be harassed in chasing
those bandits and their followers through the moun-
tainous districts.
The new rulers at Gwalior, although appointed
under the British, are busied in peculations, and in
oppressing the Ryots and Zemindars, subject to them.
The object of those rulers being to gather money
as soon as they can, they care not about the means
they use for that purpose. It was thought that the
British authorities would have to compel them to
adopt another course. The unfortunate Christians
who were formerly employed by the Gwalior Govern-
ment, having been turned adrift, were in great dis-
tress, and a subscription had been raised for their
relief, under the protection of the Lieut.-Governor
of the North-Western provinces.
There was considerable excitement in Bombay
relative to the approaching trial of Aloo Paroo, one
of the heads of the Bunder gang, and who is accused
of being involved in the burning of the Belvi-
dere ship. His trial was fixed for the 7th of
October. He had been arrested at Jinjeera, a small
island eighty miles south of Bombay, where he lay
concealed for some months, but he was surrendered
by the Raja on the requisition of the Bombay Go-
vernment.
The advantages of steamers being fully recognised
at Bombay, several companies had started for building
steam-vessels fur the coasting-trade, &c.
The news from China comes down to the beginning
of August. Trade was dull at Canton, but extending
itself in the newly-opened ports.
An express arrived (jnst as our dispatch was leav-
ihg) from Belga= with the following important in-
telligenee
The Governor summoned the Council to meet this-
afternoon 14 Vareil. steamers are in readiness,
that Mite European troops will bp
'^"-General of the

and it is expec,..—
sent off, as the Deputy Quartermas...
army has been sent for to attend the Council. It
said that the company of artillery that lately went