1 The Maharaja’s
2 apprehensions.
3 He sends for M.
4 Allard and relates to
5 him his distress of
6 mind.
7 The astrologers con-
8 sult their holy books.
9 An expedient to
10 render the meeting
11 prosperous suggested,
12 The Maharaja starts
13 for the Governor-
14 General’s camp.
15 His minute examina-
16 tion of British corps.
17 Observance of the
18 ceremony as enjoined
19 by the Brahmins.
20 The interview be-
21 tween the two chiefs.
22 Sri Satghrafiagitstnge
23 452, HISTORY OF THE PANJAB,
24 warna.* When they withdrew, each member of the deputation was presented
25 with a khilat consisting of jewels, shawls and horses. Shortly after this,
26 Khanwar Kharak Singh, accompanied by Rdjé Sangat Singh of Jhind,
27 Raj& Goldb Singh, Sardar Atar Singh, Sinddnwalia, Sardar Sham Singh, Atari-
28 wald and Hari Singh, Nalwa, was deputed by the Mahardjé to present his
29 compliments to the Governor-General, They each presented His Lordship
30 with a bow and 1,100 rupees as a Sarwarna, and returned to their camp after
31 receiving khilats. It was arranged that the meeting between the two
32 chiefs should take place the next morning, the 26th October.
33 Matters had progressed smoothly so far, when the Mahardja’s mind
34 underwent a sudden change. He suspected some treachery, or foul play, and
35 his advisers told him he had acted unwisely in leaving his own territory for
36 an interview with the representative of the British Government on foreign
37 ground, He was advised to see the Governor-General at Amritsar, or to
38 postpone the interview altogether. The suspicious Mahardja sent for Mon-
39 sieur Allard, late in the night, to inform him that he would not attend the
40 meeting of the next day. That officer did his best to allay his master’s ap-
41 prehensions, and even staked his head that nothing unpleasant would hap-
42 pen. He left the Maharaja unsettled in mind, and the astrologers were now
43 summoned, After consulting their holy books, they declared that the Bri-
44 tish were sincere friends of the Mahardjé, and that the meeting would be
45 conducive to more intimate friendship between the two States, but they ad-
46 vised the Maharaja to hold an apple in each hand, on meeting the Governor-
47 General, and to deliver to him one of these, as soon as he should see him,
48 keeping the other himself. If the apple was received by His Excellency
49 without hesitation, the result of the meeting would be highly favourable, and
50 the proceedings might be continued without fear.
51 The next morning, a deputation from the Governor-General having wait-
52 ed on His Highness, preparations were made for the meeting. The Maharaja,
53 early in the morning, sent 800 of Monsieur Allard’s Dragoons in advance across
54 the bridge, and they were followed by 3,000 of his best Ghurchara cavalry.
55 When he had seen all these cross, he himself breakfasted and went over with
56 his principal sardars, all being seated on elephants, and dressed in yellow, or
57 busanti, like the Maharaja. After the whole had passed, he ordered that no
58 others should be allowed to cross the river, and placed a strong guard on the
59 opposite bank to enforce the order. Having crossed the open plain, the Sikh
60 chief with his escort entered the Governor-General’s camp, which commenced
61 a short distance-from it. A passage was formed, lined with British troops, and
62 the Mahardjd examined each corps minutely, putting a variety of questions
63 regarding their formation and mode of drill. He enquired about every
64 strange article that attracted his eye, and thus did he proceed slowly
65 until he came to the middle of the street. Here he was met by the Governor-
66 General, and the first thing which he did, after an exchange of compliments,
67 as enjoined by his astrologers, was to present His Lordship with an apple,
68 as the elephants of the two chiefs came nearer. The apple was forthwith
69 taken. Delighted at this good omen, the Maharaja crossed into the howdah
70 of the Governor-General, and the chiefs proceeded together to the audience
71 tents, followed by officers of the Governor-General’s staff and the Sikh
72 sardars of His Highness’s suite. On alighting from the elephant, the
73 Mahardj&4 was conducted to an outer tent, where Huropean gentlemen
74 who had assembled for the occasion were presented to him, standing, as the
75 Si the
76 épa
77 rworna is money, to he distributed ane
78 } Setribreneys as charity for tl
79 oor. is the custom ee the nobles
80 earth beets onaaiinterview.