1 34 FROM THE DEATH OF NOO NEHAL SINGH
2 Pollock’s army was allowed an undisputed passage
3 through the Punjaub to Peshawur, after the dias-
4 ters of the British at Caubul, the Sikh Sirdars
5 being all strongly disposed to take advantage of
6 this contretemps to British affairs, by attacking
7 the General. The refusal of Shere Singh to
8 countenance this project only served to exas-
9 perate the confederation formed against him,
10 although no opportunity offered of carrying it
11 into effect until some time after. Affairs con-
12 tinued at Lahore in this state until the month
13 of September, 1844, when the conspirators de-
14 cided upon carrying out the plot they had
15 formed against the Maharajah’s life, somewhat
16 hastened by the supposition that he was in secret
17 communication with the British Government,
18 with the view of seeking its protection. The
19 Maharajah was consequently invited to inspect
20 the cavalry of Ajeet Singh on the following
21 morning, at a short distance from Lahore, which
22 he consented to do, notwithstanding that he had
23 been repeatedly cautioned of the plot against his
24 life, and of his brother-in-law, Ajeet Singh, being
25 a party to it.
26 On coming upon the ground, a party of
27 cavalry, badly dressed and appointed, was so
28 posted as to attract his attention, and conse-
29 quent displeasure. Ajeet Singh affected to ex-
30 cuse himself, and desired one of his attendants to