1 MAHARAJA RANJIT SINGH. 449
2 the sham fight. He then pointed out two of these ladies who held the
3 rank of commandants in this branch of His Highness’ service, and said
4 they held two villages in jdgir and were in receipt of an allowance of five
5 and ten rupees a day, respectively. After their performances were over,
6 these undisciplined troops were sent to their homes on elephants. Ranjit
7 Singh then talked of his relations with the British Government, saying
8 he had valued it from the outset, when he first formed the acquaintance
9 of Sir John Malcolm in 1805. He was very curious as to the relative
10 strength of the European powers, and asked whether France or England
11 were the greater power. T'rom this subject he passed to that of his French
12 officers, and wished to know the opinion of the British officer on the state
13 of discipline of his troops. He talked of his campaigns across the Indus
14 against the Ghdzis, and praised the bravery of his nation, to whom, he
15 acknowledged, he owed his successes in the mountains of Kashmir and the
16 plains of Peshéwar. He said his troops were devoted to their duty, and
17 free from prejudice. They would carry eight days’ provisions on their
18 backs, dig wells where water was scarce, construct roads and build forts,
19 duties which the natives of Hindostén would be unwilling to perform. He
20 then talked of his munificence to his sardars and courtiers and of his gifts
21 of Kdéshmfr shawls, which he had in abundance. From this he passed
22 on to the praises of his wines and strong drinks, assuring Lieutenant
23 Burnes that his wines were made up of pearls and precious gems. Ranjit
24 ‘was throughout very talkative and communicative, and at the close of the
25 interview a splendid bow and quiver were produced, as also a horse, richly
26 caparisoned with a shawl cloth, a necklace of agate, and a heron’s plume
27 on his head. “This,” said the Mahardjd, “is one of my riding horses, and
28 I beg your acceptance of it.” Similar presents were made to Mr. Leckie.
29 The Mahardjé then sprinkled rose-water and sandal oil over his guests with
30 his own hand, and the ceremony of presenting gifts was complete.
31 Next morning a review of the Mahardjd’s horse artillery took place on
32 the parade ground, There were 51 guns, commanded by a native officer,
33 and the movements were effected with considerable celerity. “Hvery gun
34 which you now see,’ said the Mahardjd, “costs me 5,000 rupees annually
35 for the pay of the officers and men, and the keep of the horses. I have
36 100 pieces of artillery, exclusive of battering guns and mortars, and my
37 French officers tell me I have too many.”
38 The members of the mission had their farewell audience on the 16th
39 August, when there was a display of the Mahardja’s jewels and of the
40 celebrated diamond, the Kohinuér, or “mountain of light,’ at the express
41 desire of Lieutenant Burnes. It was about half the size of a hen’s egs
42 and of the finest water, weighing 34 rupees. It was set on an armlet, hav-
43 ing on either side of it a diamond about the size-of a sparrow’s egg. Among
44 the jewels exhibited was a large ruby, weighing 14 rupees, with the names
45 of several kings engraved on it, among them those of Aurangzeb and Ahmad
46 Shab, Durrdni, and a topaz of great size, weighing 11 rupees, and half as
47 large asa billiard ball. The Mahardjd then invested Lieutenant Burnes with
48 a string of pearls ; he placed a diamond ring on a finger of one of his hands,
49 and one of emerald on the corresponding finger of the other. He gave him
50 four other jewels, set with emeralds and pearls. He then girt round his
51 waist a superb sword, adorned with a knot of pearls. A horse, richly
52 dressed with cloth of gold, the saddle and bridle of which were worked
53 with gold ornaments, was next presented. A khilat, or robe of honour, was
54 also presented, consisting of shawls and other valuable cloths, the manu-
55 facture of Kdshmir. Mr, Leckie was similarly presented with a khilat,
56 Waste of public
57 mouey.
58 Couversations,
59 Presents to the envoy:
60 Review of horse
61 artillery.
62 Farewell audience,
63 A display of jewels.
64 The Kohintr.
65 Presents to the envoy
66 and the members of the
67 mission.
68 Sri Satguru J agjit Singh Ji eLibrary NamdhariElibrary@ gmail.com