The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-04-12
British version or tho sikh War.

The late English newspapers are almost entirely
occupied with the war in India Since the publica-
ion Of Sir Charles Napers letter the almost univer
sal sentiment has been In favor OF vigorous prose-
cution of hostties and the annexation OF the Pun
jaub.
Tho Punjaub Is territory on the Persian frontier
Of Hindoostan, bounded by the river Indus on the
West as we have, on a former occasion, more par
ticulary described TO our readers. It's population
consists chiefly Of Mahomedans and Hindoos under
the sway of hardy mountain race, the Sikhs.-
These, as the name, which means disciples" inn
ports sect of religionists They took their rise
about the middle Of the fifteenth century, and hold
dogmas compounded equally OF Mahomedanism and
Hindooism. Soon they grew to be formidable
body Of warriors like the earlier followers OF the pro-
phe of Mecca and after various vcissitudes of for
tune, became the acknowledged masters OF the pro-
vince Of Lahore In 1905 of their chiefs Runect
Singh Runject the lion, began TO rise into notice.
He gradually consolidated all the Sikhs under his rue
organized powerful army; and extended his pos
sessions by the annexation OF Cashmere on the
North and Mooltan on the South He studiously
kept pence with the English however, regarding a
with them certain In the long run, TO lead to
the ruin of his nation.
But ut his death, according to the English papers,
the Sikh army, numbering about 5000, clamored
for the British; and tho leaders, though OPP
posed to H. were forced to yield TO the wishes of
their turbulent soldierv. Accordingly in l645, the
Sikh crossed the Sutej Into the English territories,
and fought several battles, in which at first they
gained some advantages; but finally were driven back
into their own country. Here the British followed
them. The Sikh army being subdued and dispersed,
their chiefs besought the English to remain as pro-
lection else there would be neither law safety In
the Punjaub and accordingly treaty was arranged,
by which the Sikh chiefs were TO remain the rulers
oil the country, and the British army TO
their mandates for them and maintain order. Sumo
time ago these chiefs determined TO the gov.
ernor Of Mooltan but having murdered the two
English officers sent to inform him Of his deposition,
British army SGT down to besiege his town and en-
force the commands Of the chiefs The brave resist
nj he m ale IA 40 I'M n n,a haId mn hnnea n
the Sikhs Of recovering their old power entire and
both in Mootan and Punjaub proper they rushed to
10 arms. while their chiefs as soon rs they saw
force collected abandoned the British and assumed
the command Of the native troops. The result was
the late battle In which, though the British were
nominaly victorious, all the disadvantages of de-
feat to have fallen to them instead 1.-THE Sikhs.
II Is extremely difficult to arrive at exact justice
in any version Of this for all authorities
are from one side; and though Great Britain may be
entirely right now her former course in restion TO
India makes suspicious. The English papers de-
clare, one and ALL that the Sikhs are tyrannical
and conquering caste; and that In the end, the trie
population Of the Punjaub, the Mohamedans and
Hindoos would welcome the rule of Britain u
blessing, and rejoice In the expulsion of the Sikhs-
That the Translucent OF this mountain race of reli-
goniss will be the result of this war we can scarce
iy doubt, when we consider the vast prcponderance
of force on the side OF the English Yet the valor Of
though they are not the original masters Of the land,
yet having ruled long they really fighting for
their homes and their freedom.
Sir Charles Napier IL decided advocate Of the an
nexation OF the Punjaub and his letter, as we have
said, has brought the people Of England generally
over TO his opinion. He says that II the Punjaub IL
abandoned, an open frontier Of sx hundred miles
will have 10 be defended against bold, united and
disciplined Sikh army; Whereas II the territory Ia
subdued and held under rigid rule for some years the
mass of the population. not being Sikhs will prefer
their new 10 their old masterS and pence In the
Punaub be easy 10 preserve The British empire In
Hindoostan will then be, he adds, entirely secure;
for, beyond the Indus, the tribes disunited while
there are only five passes by which an invasion can
be conducted; and these can be readily guarded In
his opinion, after the Punjaub Is firmly annexed
il will not cost half much to govern India as II
does now.
II, however the Sikhs, driven out Of the Pun
jaub, should take refuge in the mountains beyond
the Indus, might they not from thence carry on
harrassing war on the British, as the Circa ssians
now do on the Russians This point Sir Charles
seems to have overlooked Phla. Ere bulletin.