1 The business of the
2 mission transacted.
3 The objects of the
4 misgiou and the views
5 of the English in
6 regard to Kabul
7 affairs explained to
8 the Maharaja.
9 Ranjit Singh accedes
10 to the British proposals.
11 The audience of
12 leave, 13th July, 1838,
13 Mr. Macnaghten
14 proceeds to Ludhians
15 to meet Shah Shuj4
16 and explain to him the
17 views of the English,
18 The triplicate
19 alliance,
20 490 HISTORY OF THE PANJAB.
21 the Minister Dhidn Singh standing behind ‘his master’s chair. Rai Govind Jas,
22 the Maharaja's agent at Ludhiana, Fakir Aziz-ud-din and Sardar Lahnd Singh
23 were sitting at his feet. The letter of Lord Auckland to the Mahardjé was
24 then read out to the latter by Mr. Macnaghten, who explained to the
25 Maharaja the policy proposed by the Government to be adopted in regard
26 to Kabul affairs. The Mahardja was invited to co-operate with the British
27 Government in the expulsion of Dost Muhammad from Kabul and the
28 restoration of Shah Shujd-ul-Mulk to the throne of his ancestors. It was
29 explained that, should the Mahardjdé choose to undertake the expedition
30 himself and rely on his own resources, he was at perfect liberty to do so.
31 But, should he think British co-operation necessary, the Government would
32 be glad to render every aid in their power for the attainment of the desired
33 end. Dhidn Singh, who was standing * behind his master, here showed much
34 reluctance to an English alliance, and, though he had not courage enough
35 to make any remark, yet by the expression of his countenance and by shakes
36 of the head, he could not refrain from showing how hostile he was to the
37 project which had been laid before the Mahardjé for his consideration.
38 Ranjit Singh, however, agreed to the scheme without the slightest hesitation
39 and with manifest cordiality and eagerness, and, after an audience of two
40 hours, the members of the mission took their leave, the minor details of the
41 conference being deferred for settlement till a future time. After the
42 mission had departed, the Mahardjd’s chiefs brought weighty arguments
43 to persuade him to adopt his own independent course as regards the advance
44 to Kabul, deprecating a British alliance, but the Maharajé told them he
45 had made up his mind and wished to hear no further talk about the matter.
46 The members of the mission had their final interview with the Maharaja
47 on the 18th July, at Lahore. A public darbér was held by the Maharaja
48 on that date in his marble palace in the Haziri Bagh, and each officer of the
49 mission was presented with a dress of honour, consisting of a string of pearls,
50 a chelink of diamonds, six pairs of shawls, several pieces of gold embroidered
51 silk, a pair of diamond armlets, a sword and a horse, with gold and velvet,
52 housings and accoutrements. The men of the escort were presented with
53 twelve hundred rupees, and the servants of the mission with the same
54 amount. The Mahardjé then warmly embraced all the officers, and, wishing
55 them all health and prosperity, retired to the fort.
56 The object of the British mission to the Darbér of Lahore having been
57 gained, Mr. Macnaghten repaired to Ludhidnd, to meet Shah Shujé
58 and announce to him the change which was about to take place in his
59 fortunes with the united help of the English and the Lahore ruler,
60 and to make him a party to the treaty concluded at Lahore between
61 the Mahardjé and the British Government. The result of these nego- .
62 tiations was ‘the conclusion of a triplicate treaty by the British Govern-
63 ment, the Mahardjé and Shah Shujd-ul-Mulk, whereby His Highness
64 was guaranteed in all his possessions. Shah Shujdé was to enter Afghanis-
65 tén supported by his own troops, but was to be aided by a British
66 force and by the Mahardjdé: Independence was guaranteed to the rulers of
67 Sindh, while the integrity of Herat, in possession of Shah Kamran, was to
68 be fully maintained. Ranjit Singh was anxious to secure something sub-
69 stantial and tangible as his share of the gain of the operations in Afghan-
70 istdén. He knew full well the objections of the British Government to his
71 * It is to be observed that Raja Dhién Singh, through his profound respect for his master,
72 never, in his life, satin the presence of the Mahardja, but always stood, while his other
73 grandees and sardars sat on_ the floor. The only person who had_the privilege of sitting
74 Sri SatQuRieuiiesiweh4 peleibrariy was Hird Singl\| aondbfarlBlibva Bi@bg idk COfmhardjé was
75 iva Singh,