1 22 HISTORY OF THE SIKHS.
2 preserved a strict and firm alliance with the British,
3 and not only assisted the troops proceeding towards -
4 Affghanistan with supplies, but likewise with a
5 Sikh force which acted in concert with that of the
6 British. It was considered a fortunate occurrence
7 Capa Weds that Captain, now Sir Claude Wade, was enabled
8 Khyber. to force the Khyber Pass, and thus conduct Timour,
9 the eldest son of Shah Soojah, to Cabul. A leader
10 less skilled in eastern politics might have encoun-
11 tered insurmountable difficulties. It must not be
12 forgotten, that Captain Wade, as Political Agent
13 for so many years at Loodianah, had ample opportu-
14 Hisknow- nities of not only acquiring a thorough knowledge
15 Jedge-of Bi of the Sikhs, but likewise of the Affghans; and
16 though he may not have coincided in the policy of
17 retaining Dost Mohummud at the head of affairs in
18 Affghanistan, thereby securing a ‘powerful and
19 efficient ally, he still accomplished the object of
20 bringing Timour through the Khyber Pass.
21 Opinion of the On the advance of General Pollock towards
22 ia mene Cabul, and during the successful operations against
23 Cums Akhbar Khan, the Sikh government rightly be-
24 lieved our disasters in that country to arise from
25 the inclemency of the weather, and the perfidy of
26 Lord Een. Akhbar Khan; still, the Governor-General, Lord
27 borough as-
28 sembles the Ellenborough, dreading any change that might take
29 Army of Re- . At, ;
30 aoive: place in their friendly feelings, assembled a large
31 Army of Observation at Ferozpore in 1842, in order
32 to render assistance, if necessary, to the army re-
33 turning from Affghanistan under Generals Pollock
34 and Nott. The force was complete in every de-