1 MAHARAJA RANJIT SINGH. 439
2 warrior:in the name of God, was in the ascendant in the frontier moun-
3 tain tracts, and his strength had considerably increased. Ydr Muhammad,
4 seeing the growing influence of the Syad, and the general attitude of the
5 powerful Eusafzai tribe against him, thought it prudent to enter into an
6 engagement with the heads of that tribe to respect their territories.
7 ‘In the course of 1827, Dewdn Moti Ram and Fakfr Aziz-ud-din were
8 sent to Simla on a complimentary mission to the then Governor-General,
9 Lord Amherst, who was staying there for the hot weather. A variety of
10 valuable presents, such as horses, elephants and pashmina, were sent on
11 this occasion for the Governor-General, and a handsome tent of shawl,
12 manufactured at Kdshmir, for the King of England. The mission was
13 received with honour, Captain Wade, the Governor-General’s Agent at
14 Ludhidnd, through whom the transactions between the Ldhore Darbdr
15 and the Government of India were conducted, being specially appointed to
16 look after the comfort of the members of the embassy. Shortly after-
17 wards, some officers of the Governor-General’s staff, accompanied by the
18 Governor-General’s Agent at Ludhidna, were deputed by his Lordship, with
19 a suitable retinue, as a return compliment, with nice presents. The Court
20 was then at Amritsar. Prince Sher Singh and Fakir Aziz-ud-din were sent
21 to receive the mission ata distance of five kos, and on arrival at Amritsar,
22 on 31st May, Rs. 5,000 in cash, 500 gold mohurs and 200 trays of fruits
23 and sweetmeats, were sent as a ziydfat. THe next day the Maharaja
24 had an interview with the distinguished members of the mission in the Ram
25 Bégh. On this occasion all the ‘troops of the Mahardjd wore yellow
26 (Basanti) uniform, and presented a picturesque appearance. Gifts sent
27 by the Governor-General were presented to the Mahardjd, who was much
28 pleased with them. They comprised two fine horses, one elephant, with a
29 silver howddéh, a sword set with diamonds, a gun, a revolver, two pearl neck-
30 laces, and a variety of pashmindand kimkhab cloths. A sum of rupees 1,100
31 was given to the bearers of these presents. The next day a review of the Sikh
32 troops was held, and the honourable guests were shown over the city and the
33 Golden Temple by Raja Dhidn Singh. They beheld, with much interest, the
34 Akalis of the Akal Bunga, who were not now as averse to the sight of the
35 foreigners as they had been at the time of the visit of Mr. Metcalfe, 18 years
36 before. The party returned to British territory much pleased with the
37 reception accorded to them, Prince Sher Singh accompanying it to Jandidla
38 and Fakir Imaém-ud-din to Ludhiana. The following year a vakil was sent by
39 the Mahardj4 to Simla, to offer a welcome to Lord Combermere, the British
40 Commander-in-Chief.
41 ‘Lahore was visited this year by a cholera epidemic, which carried off a
42 large number of the inhabitants, among them being Sardar Budh Singh,
43 Sindhanwdlié, who had recently fought so bravely against the Eusafzai
44 Pathans. The Mahardjd showed much concern for the sardar’s health, and,
45 hearing of his indisposition, sent immediately Hakims Aziz-ud-din, Hakam
46 Rai and Jawadgir to attend him; but the patient died, much to the alarm
47 -of the Mahardjd, who went to live at Shahdera, across the Ravi, during the
48 days of the pestilence, leaving the city to be ravaged by the disease.
49 . Kashmir was about the same time visited by repeated shocks of earth-
50 quake, resulting in much damage to life and property. It is said that
51 thousands of people were rendered homeless and thousands lost their lives.*
52 The objects of special favour on the part of the Mahardjé at the Lahore
53 Darbar, at this time, were Midn Dhién Singh and his brothers Guldéb Singh
54 and Suchet Singh, who claimed descent from Ranjit Deo. Gulab Singh,
55 Se ee eee ee OSC ECON). sven e760) a ae
56 Yar Muhammad
57 forms a coalition with
58 the Cusafzais,
59 Complimentary mis-
60 sion to the Gavernor-
61 General at Simla, 1827.
62 British mission scnt
63 to Amnitsar,
64 A review of Sikh
65 troops,
66 Cholera at Laho.e
67 and earthquakes in
68 Kashmir, 1827.
69 Mian Dhian Singh
70 and his brothers Guleb
71 Singh and Suchet
72 Singh.
73 S fi Srey lis tadiinSingi4t Aatbydrys,000 people died WH Mhd herifibeary@ gmail.com