1 MISTORY OF THE SIKHS. 43
2 such an event could occur. The orders from the
3 home authorities were so stringent not to interfere
4 with the Punjab, unless actual aggression were
5 first perpetrated by the Sikhs, that the Indian
6 government was crippled ; and acting on his in-
7 structions, the Governor-general, who was then
8 in the Upper Provinces, did not deem it advisable
9 to take measures for raising an army capable of the delay in
10 opposing the Sikhs, should they actually cross the One on
11 Sutlej. Sir ilenry (afterwards Lord) Hardingge, if left Hea i
12 to his own decision, would, no doubt, have taken
13 the steps early which he afterwards adopted with
14 a promptitude which must ever mark him as an
15 energetic, wise, and talented governor.
16 It was different with Sir Hugh (afterwards Lord)
17 Gough, the Commander-in-chief. He was at the
18 head of the army, and as such, was resolved to be
19 prepared for the coming events. His acts were The Com-
20 under the control of the Governor-general, so far as Chef ives
21 organizing an army was concerned; but, trusting to Be aoe
22 his own foresight and military experience, he gave
23 early warning to the troops on the frontier, as well as
24 those at the important military station of Meerut, to |
25 hold themselves in readiness, and the sequel showed
26 that Sir Hugh Gough was justified in the measures
27 he wisely adopted.
28 The time which elapsed between the hostile pre- The sudden
29 parations at Lahore and the actual crossing of the Son the
30 Sikhs, was too short to allow of extensive prepara-
31 tions being made, but the crisis demanded the
32 utmost exertion on the part of the Governor-