1 The Maharaja's stud.
2 Parade of Sikh
3 troops,
4 The Mahardji’s
5 passion for ridiug.
6 We enquires about
7 the resources of
8 England,
9 A meeting on the
10 Parade grounds.
11 Private audience.
12 Ranjit’s favourite
13 object of amusement,
14 448 HISTORY OF TILE PANJARB.
15 British Government. The conversation between him and the British officer
16 lasted for an hour and a half. The Maharaja put numerous questions about
17 the navigation of the Indus, the depth of the water, the condition of the
18 people living on its banks, and their importance from political and military
19 points of view. His cupidity was aroused on being informed that Sindh
20 was a rich country. He introduced Lieutenant Burnes to all the representa-
21 tives of the neighbouring States, and ordered the horses of his stud to be
22 passed in review before him. They were thirty in number, all most superbly
23 and richly caparisoned, and some adorned with very valuable jewels, The
24 Maharajaé named each horse as it passed before him, describing its pedigree
25 and points.
26 The following morning a review of the Mahar4ja’s forces was held on the
27 parade ground, in honour of the arrival of the distinguished guest, His
28 Highness sat on the terrace, a short distance from the city walls, and, as the
29 troops were passing in review, he asked the opinion of Lieutenant Burnes as
30 to their fitness and equipment. He talked freely on a variety of subjects.
31 He mentioned that each of his muskets had cost him seventeen rupees,
32 and, passing to the subject of the revenues of Kdshmir, he said that he had
33 just got 36 lakhs of rupees from it that year, which was an increase of six
34 lakhs over the previous year’s income. “All the people I send to Kashmir,”
35 continued the Mahardja, “turn out hardmzddds [rascals]; there is too much
36 pleasure and enjoyment in that country ; I must either send one of my sons
37 there, or go myself.” Such was the style of Ranjit Singh’s conversation, but
38 it marked a strength of character and originality which cannot be too much
39 admired. The party left him on observing preparations for breakfast. He
40 usually took his meals in the open air, and, while out in camp, in the presence
41 of his troops, and sometimes on horseback, Great was his passion for riding
42 and long journeys, and on such occasions he preferred taking his meals in the
43 saddle, like a good soldier. He was perfectly free from pomp and show, yet
44 everybody dreaded him, and, of all the throng which surrounded him, not
45 an individual dared speak a word without a sign. He was very inquisitive
46 about the strength and resources of England, and sent privately for a native
47 of Hindostén who was on the establishment of the mission, and who had
48 been to England, and asked him about the resources of England, and
49 particularly, whether the wealth and power of the British nation were as
50 great as he had believed.
51 As Lieutenant Burnes and party were going, one morning, to examine the
52 tomb of Jahangir at Shahderd, they found Ranjit Singh seated on the
53 plain and surrounded by his troops. He sent for that officer and talked
54 with him for a long time, giving him an account of the inroads of
55 the Afghans into the Panjib, and informing him that the ground on
56 which they were then seated was the site of the Afghdn encampment.
57 He talked of the invasions of Zamdn Shah, the blind and exiled king at
58 Ludhidnd, and of his designs against India.
59 On the evening of 25th July, he gave a private audience to Lieutenant
60 Burnes, and was on that occasion seen to great advantage. The Court was
61 ordered to be withdrawn; Ranjit Singh sat on a chair, attended by a party
62 of thirty or forty dancing-girls of Kdshmir and the adjacent mountains,
63 dressed uniformly as boys. Their features were remarkably handsome, and
64 their figures small, graceful and attractive. They were dressed in flowing
65 silk robes with gems dark and bright, and carried each a small bow and
66 quiver. “This,” said Ranjit Singh, “is one of my regiments (paltums), but
67 they tell me it is one I cannot discipline.” The remark was amusing to
68 Sri Satgthe| Bomlsinginbabl iordryery pleasing thathdlfatiEtibsayyehgmeitcoengaged in