1 *
2 470 . HISYORY OF THE PANJAB,
3 use of by the Léhore ruler in concentrating his troops and redistributing
4 Relistribution of the thera, so as to completely surround the Afghan positions. The semicircle form-
5 Pie: ed by the Sikh forces comprised five camps, their fronts being protected by ca-
6 valry, their rear by regular infantry, consisting of 35 battalions, and behind
7 them being detachments of cavalry of various strength. While these arrange-
8 ments for an attack were going on, the Mahardj4 deputed Fakir Aziz-ud-din
9 and Mr. Harlan, an Anglo-Indian who had lately entered his service, to the
10 Ami’s camp, with instructions to induce the Amir to retire. Sardar Sultdén
11 Muhammad Khan was also sent along with the envoys, to assist in carrying
12 on the negotiations. These were, however, still pending when the Amir was
13 informed, to his great surprise, that all his troops were surrounded by the
14 Sikhs. He never perhaps meant to bring on an actual rupture, so soon at
15 least, for he was conscious of the great superiority of the Sikh army over his
16 own; but he now clearly saw that his choice lay between retreat and
17 flight, If he remained stationary, there was the danger of his being deprived
18 of his munitions of war, including his guns and military equipage. In
19 The Amfr's per- his dilemma, he consulted Mirza Sdmi Khan, his confidential minister, and
20 a the idea now suggested itself of arresting the Sikh envoys in the Amir’s
21 camp, Dost Muhammad Khan knew well that the presence of Fakir Aziz-
22 ud-din, the Mahardja’s physician, who prescribed medicines for him and re-
23 gulated the doses, was absolutely necessary for his existence, and it was con-
24 ceived that the Mahardjdé would be compelled to cede Peshawar in exchange
25 for the indispensable Fakir, or that, at any rate, a large sum of money would
26 be offered as ransom. To avoid, however, the disgrace which would attach
27 to an action so opposed to international laws, it was resolved to involve Sardar
28 Sultén Muhammad Khan in the proposed detention of the Sikh envoys. The
29 Amir accordingly sent for the sardar, and, after an exchange of oaths on the
30 Qurdn as to secrecy, informed him of his resolution. It was suggested that,
31 as the envoys had come with him, it would be most convenient and condu-
32 cive to the interests of the parties concerned, if he carried them off, when, it
33 was surmised, everything would be gained as desired. The sardar at once
34 saw that the object of the Amir’s policy was to bring about his ruin at the
35 expense of his own reputation. He feigned to fall in with the scheme and
36 The Amirimprisons Promised compliance forthwith, swearing on the Qurdn, but considering the
37 Me aa ake; Oath to be made under circumstances in which it would not be legally binding.
38 them over to Sutin ~~ Dost Muhammad, thinking his point gained, summoned the Fakir and Mr. -
39 ‘Harlan into his presence and reproached and abused them. On being some-
40 what appeased by the persuasive speech of the learned Fakir, he said that he
41 had kept the envoysin the Afghan camp merely as hostages for the due
42 The Amf's proposals. fulfilment of the terms proposed, which were the surrender of half the terri-
43 tory of Peshawar to his brother, Sultdn Muhammad Khan, and the payment
44 to himself of a few lakhs of rupees as ndlbandi, literally, the cost of shoeing
45 his horses, The Fakfr urged that it was necessary for him and his colleague
46 to return to the Mahardjé to acquaint him with the Amir’s propositions, but
47 to this it was replied that this could be more conveniently done by letter.
48 The Fakir then argued that the detention of the envoys was a direct
49 infringement of the respect which, among the Afghans, as among all other
50 nations, is attached to their person. To this the Amir replied that the
51 Sikhs were Kdjirs, or infidels, and not like other people, that they themselves
52 broke oaths and treaties, and that with such people it would be only fair
53 Sx to act in a different manner. The envoys were then made over tothe charge
54 The Mohorijicon- “ of Sardar Sultdn Muhammad Khan, The latter, however, perceiving the evil
55 centrates his troops ono
56 the frontier, and him- , esigns of his brother against him, and finding an opportunity to gain the
57 war, Or SatQUnigsgnes migithreMbebarsié, instead Mh RaratERbAlyGheneaiveren escorted