1 THE FIRST SIKH WAR. 551
2 restored to the favour of the British Government, which cxtended its
3 clemency to a prince the descendant of one who for many long years had been
4 the faithful friend and ally of the British Power, as the representative of
5 the Sikh nation, selected by the chiefs and the people to be their ruler, on
6 the condition that all the terms imposed by the British Government, and
7 previously explained to His Highness’s ministers and sardars, should be
8 faithfully executed. Some observations having been then made regarding
9 the bearing of the tate Mahardjdé Ranjit Singh towards the English, and a
10 hope expressed that the young Mahardja would follow in the footsteps of
11 his father, the meeting broke up. It was further settled that the Mahardjé
12 should not return to the Réniat Léhore forthwith, but should remain with
13 the camp of the Governor-General and accompany His Excellency to the
14 Sikh capital.
15 While friendly negotiations were going on between the Governor- atria thecities
16 General and the young Maharajé at Lulidni, the greatest alarm and {i )‘heresud Amu
17 consternation prevailed in the cities of Lahore and Amritsar. The
18 calamities experienced by the people in past times on the approach
19 ofa victorious army from a foreign country and State were remembered,
20 and it was gravely apprehended that the British conquerors would form
21 no exception to the rule. On this the Governor-General issued a Proclama-
22 tion on the 18th February, from his camp at Luligni, to the chiefs, merchants, The Governor-Gene-
23 traders, rayats.and other inhabitants of Léhore and Amritsar, informing ™*™mlste
24 them that Mahardj&é Dulip Singh had, on that day, waited on His Excel-
25 lency and expressed the contrition of himself and the Sikh Government
26 for their late hostile proceedings; that the Governor-General had evory
27 hope that relations of friendship would speedily be re-established between
28 the two Governments ; and that the inhabitants of Lahore and Amritsar had
29 nothing to fear from the British army. The Governor-General assured the
30 inhabitants of the Panjab, that if the Lékore Darbdr acted in good faith, and
31 no further hostile opposition was offered by the Khdlsé army, they would be
32 perfectly safe in person and property from any molestation by the British
33 troops, They were therefore called upon to dismiss all apprehensions, and
34 to resume their respective callings with all confidence. Gee
35 In the meantime Rajé Gulab Singh gave positive orders that the troops — arrangements mads—
36 which had encamped at Raiwind, 18 miles east of Lihore, after their defeat phir ipsngree?-
37 at Sobraon, should remain stationary.. [he numberof these troops was sy.
38 estimated at from 14,000 to 20,000 horse and foot, with about 85 guns, and
39 they were undcr Sardar Téj Singh and Rajd Ldl Singh, At Lahore the
40 Mahomedan and Najib battalions of the British army were placed in the
41 fort and at the gates of the city, with strict orders that no armed Sikh soldier
42 should be permitted to enter.
43 Having advanced by easy marches, the British army appeared in sight
44 of the ancient city of Léhore on the morning of the 20th February, and by — ranore reached and
45 moon its tents were pitched on the plain of Midn Mir, whence the Khelsd coompins 20th Pebrun
46 army had so lately issued on their rash expedition, boasting that they would " *
47 conquer the countries between the Jamna and the Ganges, and hoping to
48 enrich themselves with the spoils of Delhi, Mathra and Benares. The
49 Mahardjé was conducted to the citadel, his residence, the same afternoon,
50 escorted by two regiments of European cavalry, two regiments of native
51 cavalry, and two troops of horse artillery, all under the command of Briga-
52 dier Cureton. His Highness was accompanied by Mr. Currie, Chief Secre-
53 tary to Government, Major Lawrence, Political Agent, Mr. C. Hardinge,
54 Private Secretary, and other functionaries. On reaching the gateway of 3
55 the palace, the escors withdrew, and the Mahardj4 was conducted to the
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