1 MAHARAJA RANJIT SINGH. 445
2 deer, and produced his matchlock. He asked Lieutenant Burnes to give him
3 the pleasure of his company at his residence in the desert. That officer
4 expresses himself quite charmed with the kindness he received at the hands
5 of the Khan, and the sincerity with which he showed it. A testimonial
6 granted to his grandfather by the Honourable Mr. Elphinstone, which had
7 been preserved with great pride, was produced, a proof of the high esti-
8 mation in which the English character was held in this remote corner of
9 India. On 5th June the Nawab paid a return visit to his distinguished
10 ~ guest, and sat for about an hour putting numerous questions on the manu-
11 factures of Europe. He was of a mechanical turn of mind, and produced some
12 guns, caps and fulminating powder which he had caused to be manufactured
13 after European patterns, and which Lieutenant Burnes thought did credit to
14 the artificers. He expressed himself highly pleased with the presents
15 which had been sent for him, consisting of a brace of pistols, a watch, and
16 some other articles. After the ceremonial visit was over, the mehmdnddr
17 brought for the British officer, as presents from the Nawab, two horses, rich-
18 ly caparisoned with silver and enamel trappings, a hawk and some very rich
19 shawls and trays of Bahdwdlpur manufacture. In addition to these was
20 sent a purse of Rs. 2,000 and a sum of Rs, 200 for the servants, and, last of
21 all, a beautiful matchlock, “ which,” in the words of Lieutenant Burnes, “ had
22 its value doubled by the manner in which it was presented.” “The Khan,”
23 said the messenger, “has killed many a deer with this gun, and he begs
24 you will accept this from him, and when you see it, remember that Bahdwal
25 Khanis your friend.” Lieutenant Burnes had an audience, for the purpose of
26 taking his leave, in the evening, when he presented the Nawab with a
27 handsome percussion gun, assuring him that he would long remember his
28 kindness and hospitality. Bahdwal Khan embraced him and begged him
29 to keep him informed of his welfare and command his services.
30 Immediately on landing in the country of the Sikhs, the embassy was
31 received in state by Sardar Lahnd Singh, who came on an elephant with a
32 numerous retinue. He was richly dressed and wore a necklace of emeralds,
33 and armlets, studded with diamonds. He held in one hand a bow, and in
34 the other two Persian letters from his master, Mahardj4 Ranjit Singh,
35 appointing him and two others mehmdandars. He presented the bow to
36 the British officer according to the Sikh custom, and at the same time, the
37 letters congratulating him in the name of the Mahardjd on his arrival. By
38 the desire of his master he declared that the Mahardj4 was deeply sensible
39 of the honour that had been conferred upon him by the King of England,
40 and informed him that Sikh troops had been specially posted on the frontier
41 to punish, at a moment’s notice, the barbarians of Sindh, who had so long
42 delayed the progress of the mission to the Sikh capital. Bags of money
43 amounting to Rs. 1,400 were then placed at the feet of the British officer,
44 as ziydfat, and the party withdrew. The Sikh sardars had the strictest
45 injunctions regarding the reception of the embassy, and these were implicitly
46 obeyed. They were embodied in a parwind* from the Mahardj4, which
47 we insert below, from the journal of Lieutenant Burnes, as showing the high
48 distinction and respect with which the embassy was received in the terri-
49 tories of the Maharaja.
50 * The’ Mahardj@s parwdand or command to his officer's :-—
51 Be it known to Dewan Ajudhia Pershad, Monsieur Chevalier Ventura and the great and wise
52 Sardars Lahnd Singh and Lala Stwan Mal, Subeddr of Multan, that when Mr. Burnes reaches
53 the frontier, you are immediately to attend to all his wants, and previously despatch 200
54 infantry and the lancers under Tej Singh to Jalélpur, that they may be ready on his arrival
55 as an honorary escort, and you are at the same time to make known your own arrival in the
56 neighbourhood. When Mr. Burnes approaches, you are immediately to despatch an elephant,
57 English character held
58 in high esteem even in
59 those early days,
60 The Nawab of a
61 mechanical turn of
62 mind.
63 Exchange of presents.
64 Farewell audience,
65 The British
66 Ambassador in the
67 country of the Sikhs.
68 The ceremony of
69 reception.
70 Civilities.
71 Pariwdnd of Ranjit
72 ingh,
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