1 The Maharaja is
2 conducted to the
3 palace,
4 Proclamation of 22nd
5 February, 1846,
6 A. grand dinner at
7 Lahore, Sth March,
8 1846,
9 Signing of the treaty,
10 8th March, 1846.
11 The Governor-Gene-
12 rats Daibir for the
13 ratification of the
14 treaty,
15 552 HISTORY OF THE PANJAB,
16 inner door by Réjé Guldb Singh. Mr. Currie then announced to the Maha-
17 réj4, his ministers and sardars that, by order of the Governor-General, the
18 Maharaj, escorted by British troops, had been brought to his palace, which
19 he had left with the view of tendering his submission to the British Govern-
20 ment, and of placing himself, his capital and his country at the mercy of
21 the Governor-General, and that His Excellency had thus restored him to
22 his palace, as a mark of favour which he desired to show to His Highness
23 out of consideration for the memory of the late Mahardjdé Ranjit Singh.
24 As the Mahardjd entered the palace, a salute of 21 guns was fired by the
25 horse artillery.
26 No troops were posted within the precincts of the palace, the residence
27 of the families of the late Mahardj4 Ranjit Singh, but British troops were
28 posted at the gateway of the citadel. Formal possession was also taken by
29 the troops of the Badshdhi Masjid (Royal Mosque) and the Haztiri Bagh.
30 In order that the inhabitants of the city might have time to gain confidence
31 and to understand that the English had no intention of plundering or harm-
32 ing them, strict orders were issued that no European, except of course officials
33 sent on public business, was, until further orders, to go into or near the city.
34 On the 22nd of February, the Governor-General issued a Proclamation review-
35 ing the events that had occurred, and describing the victories gained by the
36 British troops over the enemy; dwelling with proud satisfaction on the fact
37 that, in the short period of sixty days, they had defeated the flower of the
38 Khdélsé army in four battles, and wrested from them 220 pieces of artillery;
39 that of their great army only 14,000 now remained; and that he was now
40 dictating a treaty, the conditions of which would tend to secure the British
41 Provinces from a repetition of a similar outrage to that committed by the
42 Sikhs by their unprovoked-attack on the English.
43 On the 5th of March, the Governor-General gave a grand dinner at Léhore
44 at which all the officers of the army, including the Commander-in-Chief and
45 Sir Charles Napier, were present. Toasts and speeches followed, in which
46 the officers bestowed warm eulogies on on@ another, and on the army at large,
47 for the bravery displayed in the field, Every face flushed with joy, and at
48 the conclusion of the entertainment the outburst of « hip, hip, hip hurrah o
49 was deafening,
50 On the 8th March, the treaty between the British Government and the
51 Léhore Darbdr was signed by the Commissioners, Mr. Currie and Major
52 Lawrence, representing the former, and Rajé Lal Singh, Sardar Téj Singh,
53 Bhdi Ram Singh, Dewdn Dind Nath and Fakir Naév-ud-din the latter. On
54 this occasion the Sikh chiefs produced, on behalf of the Mahardja, a letter
55 addressed to Major Lawrence, acknowledging the consideration, kindness and
56 generosity which the Governor-General had evinced to the Lahore Darbar,
57 and expressing an earnest desire that, as the Government was endeavouring
58 to make a satisfactory settlement of affairs, and as it was necessary that
59 effectual measures should be taken to prevent the recurrence of any disturb-
60 ances, some British regiments with artillery and officers should remain at
61 ee for the protection of the State, the Maharajé and the inhabitants of
62 the city.
63 On the afternoon of the following day, the treaty of peace was ratified
64 by the Governor-General in his State tent, in the presence of the young
65 Mahardjdé, who was attended by Raj& Lal Singh, Rajé Guldb Singh, Sardar
66 Tdj Singh and about thirty other sardars and civil officers, the Commander-
67 in-Chief and staff, the Governor of Sindh (Sir Charles Napier) and staff, the
68 Generals of Divisions, the Brigadiers, the heads of each department, and all
69 officers commanding corps, with one native officer from every British regi-
70 Sri Satguru J agjit Singh Ji eLibrary NamdhariElibrary@ gmail.com