1 MAHARAJA RANJIT SINGH, 44:7
2 ceeded darkness when the mission emerged from among the barbarians of
3 Sindh, and that its general influence had changed the bud into the rose.”
4 On the morning of 18th June, Lieutenant Burnes made a public entry
5 into Léhore. He was received at a distance of three miles from Léhore
6 by Fakir Aziz-ud-din, the Mahardjd’s minister, and Raji Guldb Singh, es-
7 corted by a guard of cavalry and a regiment of infantry. The party alighted
8 in the house of Monsieur Chevalier Allard, outside the city, and the sardars
9 on deputation withdrew, presenting Lieutenant Burnes with a large sum of
10 money and a quantity of sweetmeats in the name of the Mahardjd. The pre-
11 sentation at the, Court was fixed for the 20th, when, at’ about 9 a.M, a
12 deputation of the Maharaja's nobles, with a numerous escort, arrived to
13 conduct Lieutenant Burnes and party to the palace. The streets were
14 lined with cavalry, artillery and infantry, who saluted the British officer as
15 he passed, seated on an elephant. The streets were thronged with spectators,
16 who filled every balcony and window overlooking the street. As the party
17 entered the first court of the palace, they were received by Raj& Dhidn
18 Singh, described as being a fine soldier-like person, dressed in armour, who
19 conducted them to the door of the palace. While Lieutenant Burnes stooped
20 to remove his shoes at the threshold, he suddenly found himself in the
21 arms and tight embrace of ‘a diminutive old-looking man,’ the great Maha-
22 raj& Ranjit Singh. Two of his sons accompanied him, and they likewise
23 embraced Mr. Leckie and Lieutenant Burnes. The Maharaja conducted
24 Lieutenant Burnes by the ‘hand to the interior of the palace, where he saw
25 Captain Wade and Doctor Murray, who had come from Ludhidné, to witness
26 the presentation. Lieutenant Burnes and party were seated on silver chairs
27 in front of the Mahardjd. The latter wore a necklace, armlets and bracelets
28 of emeralds, some of which were very large. All his nobles were like-
29 wise dressed with jewels and appeared in yellow, the favourite colour of
30 the Sikh ruler, which had a striking effect. His Highness was profuse in
31 “ his congratulatory and complimentary remarks, asked particularly after the
32 health of His Majesty the King of England, and enquired after Sir John
33 Malcolm. After the ceremonial speeches were over, Lieutenant Burnes
34 announced to the Mahardja the fact of his having brought in safety to
35 Lahore five horses as a present for His Highness from his most gracious
36 Majesty the King of Great Britain, in consideration of the relations of
37 friendship and concord subsisting between the two Governments, as also a
38 carriage from the Right Honourable the Governor-General, as a mark of His
39 Lordship’s esteem. ‘The friendly letter to His Highness from His Majesty’s
40 . Minister having been then produced in a bag of cloth of gold, sealed with
41 the arms of England, His Highness touched the seal with his forehead in
42 token of respect, and commanded his minister, Fakir Aziz-ud-din, to read
43 aloud the translation of it in Persian, which was accordingly done in the
44 presence of the whole Court. As the letter was heing read the Mahardja or-
45 dered a salute to be fired from the ramparts of the citadel, in order to convey
46 to his subjects the joyful news of the arrival of the letter from the King of Great
47 Britain, Sixty guns accordingly sent forth their thunder, conveying to the citi-
48 zens of Lahore the intelligence of this event. The Maharaja then inspected
49 the presents, accompanied by the members of the mission and his Court.
50 He was highly gratified at the sight of the horses, and their size, colour and
51 general appearance were objects of special admiration on his part and that
52 of the courtiers, the Mahardj4 remarking that they were little elephants.
53 Lieutenant Burnes speaks very highly of the affability of the Maharaja, and
54 the warmth he showed on the occasion. Every-word came from his heart, and
55 was indicative of the feelings of high esteem which he entertained for the
56 Entry into Léhore.
57 The Ambassador on
58 his way to the Court.
59 Reception at the
60 Courc.
61 The dress of the
62 courtiers.
63 The letter from the
64 King of England read
65 out,
66 Display of presents
67 from the King of
68 England.
69 Sri Satguru J agjit Singh J i.eLibrary NamdhariElibrary@ gmail.com