The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1846-06-23 00:00:00

INDIA

A disturbance had occurred at Lahore, on the 21st of
April. A guard bad been set to prevent admission to one
of the main streets, to facilitate the entrance of some
ordnance stores. A drove of cattle endeavoured to force
their way, when a couple of cows were wounded by the
artillerymen on duty. An uproar immediately ensued ;
stones and brickbats flew in all directions; one man is
said to have been killed, and several severely injured ; and
the shops throughout the city were shut up as if a general
rising had been expected. Matters soon resumed tran-
quility : the leaders in the affray were taken up, and the
ringleader is said to have been arreited.

Above a hundred pieces of artillery are said to have
been discovered concealed in various parts of the town.
Two forts near our frontier on the Jullundur Doab side
had refused to surrender; and one of these, Kute Kangra
is considered by the natives to be impregnable. The gar-
rison, however, is said not to be numerous, nor the arma-
ment heavy ; provisions had been laid in for a seige of
long duration. It is not easy to understand the feeling
by which the governor of the garrison is actuated to re-
sistance, unless it be that chivalry of which the middle
ages supply European examples, that a stronghold such
as this should be maintained till captured, that nothing
but sheer force can authorise its surrender. Our political
agent had sent a messenger in the name of the British
Government, while Runjeet Singh sent another on the
part of the Sikhs, requiring the place to be given up with.
out delay. The reception and reply vouchsafed to the
messengers respectively were as pithy and unmistakeable
as might be. The first had his face blackened, and both
were unceremoniously turned out. The governor of the
fortress declined giving a written reply, but stated that he
considered Runjeet Singh a dug, held by the Maharajah
in contempt, and would not open the gates until Runjeet
Singh himself (who died in 1839) came to demand admit-
tance ; that he defied the British, and would give them a
reply when they showed themselves in the pass. No sym-
pathy with this warlike spirit is manifested amongst the peo-
pie around. A strong and well-appointed force of 6000 men
had been deslsatched for the reduction of their stronghold.
The lianee had been dangerously ill, consequent on the
administration of drugs to produce abortion. She was at
one time reported dead, but the rumour was without foun-
dation.

The country was extremely healthy and pleasant, and
the troops in good condition. The climate in our new
dominions is said to surpass in agreeableness and salubrity
anything India can boast of.
Nothing of any importance has occurred in India. The
country was tranquil from end to end, except the disturb-
ance amongst the Ithoonds of Golcondah, to suppress
which troops were being dispatched from the neighbouring
stations of the Madras presidency. The cause would ap-
pear to be the interference of our agent for the suppression
of human sacrifices, this season carried to a greater extent
than usual. Cholera and a scar..ity of water and food were
making sad havoc over the country, which could only be
relieved by a speedy and abundant fall of rain.
The Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief of
India were still at Sirnlah. The Governor of Bombay did
not intend starting for Soonah till after the first fall of
rain.