1 The meeting between
2 Lieut. Burnes and the
3 Sikh embasry.
4 Moquence of Fakir
5 Ni-ud-dfn,
6 446 HISTORY OF THE PANJAB,
7 The language of the document is, in some respects, hyperbolic, after the
8 fashion of the east, yet it affords abundant proof of the sincerity of the
9 conduct of the Lahore ruler on the occasion, and of the confidence he reposed
10 in the British officer, in allowing him the privilege of inspecting his strong-
11 holds, a concession particularly appreciated at a time when so much distrust
12 and jealousy were evinced by most Indian chiefs. Intelligence of the
13 arrival of the embassy in the Sikh territory having reached the Maharaja,
14 he sent a pair of gold armlets, set with diamonds and emeralds, as a
15 gift for the mehmandar. The Maharaid, it should be noted, was always
16 munificent in his gifts to his nobles and sardars.
17 The party reached Changa Manga, about 25 miles from Lahore, on 15th
18 July, and were waited on by a deputation from the Maharaja, consisting
19 of Sardar Shém Singh, Fakir Nur-ud-din and other sardars. They brought
20 with them an escort of lancers and Sikh cavalry, the latter of which had
21 just returned with Shdm Singh from the campaign against Syad Ahmad.
22 The meeting took place on elephants, Shém Singh presenting Lieutenant
23 Burnes with a bow, and congratulating him, on the part of the Maharaja, on
24 his arrival. The health of the King of England was enquired about on
25 behalf of the Maharaja, and each sardar delivered a purse of money in gold
26 and silver. The most flattering and pleasing expressions were used by the
27 sardars, but the eloquence of the learned Fakir Nuv-ud-din, who enjoyed the
28 trust and confidence of the Sikh ruler, was peculiarly attractive, not only
29 for the words used, but also for the sincerity it manifested. “The seasons,”
30 said the Fakir, addressing Lieutenant Burnes, “ have been changed, to aid
31 your safe arrival; and when it should’ have rained, the sun shines; but it
32 is the sun of England. You must now consider yourself at home, and in a
33 garden, of which you are the roses; that such a friendship had now grown
34 up between the British and the Sikhs, that the inhabitants of Irdn and Rim
35 would hear it proclaimed in their distant dominions; that light had suc-
36 with oa silver howddh, in charge of the Dewan, who is to state that the animal has been sent
37 for his own express use, and then ask him to be seated thereon, which will be gratifying, as
38 the friendship between the States is great. When Mr. Burnes has mounted the elephant
39 then shall Sardar Lahnaé Singh and Séwan Mal, seated on other elephants, approach, and
40 have an interview with that gentleman, paying him every manner of respect and attention
41 in their power and congratulating him ina hundred ways on his safe arrival from a long and
42 distant Journey, distributing at the same time 225 rupees among the poor. You are then to
43 present a handsome bow, and each of you eleven gold Venetians, and conduct the gentleman to
44 the bathing place, and there set before him 1,100 rupees and 50 jars of sweetmeats ; you are then
45 to supply the following articles: grass, grain, bran, milk, eggs, fowls, fat-tailed sheep
46 (dumbds), curds, vegetables, fruit, roses, spices, water-vessels, beds, and every thing else that
47 may be necessary, in quantities without stint, and be neglectful aud dilatory in nothing.
48 When you visit, you are to parade the two companies and the horse, and salute, and then place
49 guards according to Mr. Burnes’ pleasure. When you reach Shujabdéd, you are to fire a salute
50 of eleven guus and furnish everything as before directed, and present 1,100 rupees, with sweet-
51 meats and fruits, and attend to every wish that is expressed. If Mr. Burnes desires to look
52 at the fort of Shujabdd, you are to attend on him and show it, and see that there is no ob-
53 struction, and that no one even raises his voice, ‘
54 _ Onreaching Multdin, you are to conduct Mr. Burnes with great eect and pitch his tent
55 in whatever garden he shall select; the Haziri, the Begi, the Shish Mahal or the Khas-wa-ém,
56 or any other. You are then to present him with a purse of 2,500 rupees, and 100 jars of
57 sweetmeats, and fire a salute of eleven guns from the ramparts of the for erees: When you
58 have complimented him on his arrival, you are to suggest, a his consideration, whether he
59 would not like to halt at Multan for five or six days after his long journey, and act entirely as
60 he desires ; if he wishes to view the fort, you three persons are to attend him and allow no one
61 to make a noise, and take most particular eare that the Nihangs, and such other wrong-headed
62 people, are kept at a distance.
63 In quitting Multén, you are to load 100 camels with provisions for the supply of Mr. Burnes
64 to Lihore, and Subddar Sdwan Mal is to attend him in person for the first stage, and, after
65 taking leave, repair to the camp of Monsieur Chevalier Ventura. Sardar Lahnd Singh and
66 Dewan Ajudhia Pershad, together with Fatteh Singh, Ramgarhia, accompanied by an escort of
67 two companies and the lancers, shall attend Mr. Burnes, and proceed by easy stages to
68 Lihore, despatching daily notice of his approach. At Dera Syadwald the Kardir is to
69 present 1,100 rupees with the usual sweetmeats ; and you are all directed to remember, in every
70 Sri SatgUith agit singgrly fetctoRaA gre" friendship Wikeh aheREibran® GmelecoAtcs