1 544, HISTORY OF THE PANJAB. .
2 killed were Major Broadfoot, Political Officer, D'Arcy Todd, of Herat fame,
3 and Brigadier Wallace. The whole staff of the Governor-General was dis-
4 abled, the only exception being his son, Captain Hardinge. The loss of the
5 Sikhs was estimated at 8,000; 73 fine guns and many standards fell into the
6 hands of the victors. The victory of Ferozshahr was of great importance,
7 inasmuch as it not only had the effect of completely disheartening the
8 Khdlsé army, but also deprived it of nearly all its artillery. Indeed, had
9 the British chiefs known or credited, on the night of the 21st, the incapacity
10 of Lal Singh, or the treason of Téj Singh, the thought of retiring upon
11 Ferozepur could have never occurred to any one that night. After these
12 transactions, T'éj Singh, the Sikh commander, visited the British camp, and
13 tried to open negotiations with the Governor-General, but His Lordship
14 refused to transact any business with him until the British troops should
15 reach the walls of the capital of the Panjab.
16 The Governor-Gene- On the 31st of December 1845, the Governor-General issued a proclama-
17 al’ C 7 § 7 7 ; 7, 7 J
18 Daeomheey 18k. tion from his camp at Ferozepur, declaring that the Léhore Government had,
19 without any provocation, ora declaration of war, commenced hostilities
20 against the British; that a large Sikh army, which had invaded the British
21 territories, had been repulsed and driven across the Sutlej; and that it had
22 become necessary for the British Government to take measures for punishing
23 this unprovoked aggression, and for preventing similar acts of treachery in
24 future by the Government and army of the Panjab. It called upon all
25 natives of Hindostén who had taken service under the Léhore Government
26 to quit their service at once, and place themselves under the orders of the
27 Governor-General of India. They were ordered to repair to the British side
28 of the Sutlej, and to report themselves to the British authorities, If they
29 failed to comply with this order, they were to be considered as having for-:
30 feited all claim to British protection, and to be. treated as traitors to their
31 country and enemies of the British Government.
32 While the British were reduced to a state of inactivity for want of heavy
33 guns, ammunition, and stores, which were daily expected from Delhi, the
34 enemy, towards the middle of January, made a further effort upon the upper
35 Ranjir Singh crosses Gutlej. A strong body of the Sikhs under Ranjir Singh, I/ajzthia (brother
36 teaiwlel and vamua, of Sardar Lahnd Singh), crossed the Sutlej at Phillour, with a train of seventy
37 January, 1816. pieces of artillery, and threatened the' frontier station of Ludhidnd, then
38 weakly garrisoned. He was joined by the Rajd of Lddwd, a petty chief,
39 dependent on the English, who had proved a traitor to them. Sir Harry
40 Smith was detached to the relief of Ludhidnd, at the head of a body of
41 The skirmish of cavalry and eighteen guns. The fort of Baddowdl into which Ranjir Singh
42 Cree aac had thrown a small garrison, lay on his route, but before the British General
43 _— could reach it, it had been reinforced by ten thousand Sikh troops. Sir
44 Harry Smith tried to avoid the unequal combat, and continued his march
45 to Ludhidnd4, inclining to remain at a distance from the position occupied by
46 the Sikhs; but the latter were resolved on fighting, and, as soon as the British
47 troops came in sight, opened fire on them with their artillery. A sharp
48 skirmish ensued, terminating in the defeat of the British, a portion of their-
49 baggage, and a number of beasts of burden falling into the hands of the
50 Sikhs, Indeed, had it not been for the opportune help rendered by the
51 cavalry under Brigadier Cureton, which was advancing from Dharmkot, and
52 the dashing charges made by it on the enemy, the loss on the side of the
53 British would in all probability have been far more severe than it actually
54 was. Sir Harry Smith now effected a communication with Ludhidnd, whiclt
55 _._,Was relieved. The skirmish of Baddowdl, took, place on 21st January
56 Sri Satgny) agi Ginahdi likbaeide of the Shamobet blaine Gmal\Ceine ‘Killed,