1 The Black Mountain
2 Expedition, 1888.
3 &
4 Lord Dufferin’s visit
5 to Lahore, 1888.
6 610 HISTORY OF THE PANJAB.
7 Colleges, and local bodies were authorized to award similar scholarships
8 tenable in Middle Schools. Under the able guidance of Sir James Lyall, an
9 expedition against the Black Mountain tribes on the north-western border,
10 was brought to a successful termination. These tribes had, on various occa-
11 sions, made raids on British territory, burning the villages on the border and
12 murdering British subjects. For their hostile conduct they were adequately
13 punished and made to feel that, though slow to avenge, the power of the
14 British Government to inflict punishment was great. heir principal tower
15 was blown up, and Pokal, their chief village, with many other villages, was set
16 on fire. At Pokdl there were about sixty houses substantially built, many of
17 them with carved doorposts. All these were destroyed, and the troops burnt
18 the outlying houses, together with stacks of corn belonging to the villagers,
19 as they retired up the hills. Very little plunder of any value was obtained
20 from the sacked villages, the principal thing being honey, of which a large
21 quantity was found everywhere. A number of chairs, with carved wooden
22 backs were carried off as trophies. The tribes were compelled to submit, and
23 sued for mercy ; and it is hoped that the lesson given them will prove a
24 sufficient guarantee for the security and future tranquillity of the border.
25 Towards the middle of November, 1888, the capital of the Panjdéb was
26 honoured by the presence of His Excellency Lord Dufferin and Ava. His
27 " Excellency was greeted at the railway station by the chiefs of the Panjab
28 Address of the Anju-
29 man-i-Lsldinid.
30 Lady Aitchison Hos-
31 pital opened,
32 Lady Dufferin’s visit
33 to zendna ladies,
34 and the Municipality, to the addross of which body he replied in befitting
35 terms. A splendid evening party was given at Government House, at which
36 some of the ruling chiefs of the Panj&b were present, besides a large number of
37 leading notables. The following morning (15th November), His Excellency
38 received deputations from various public bodies at Lahore, and, with a cour-
39 tesy and kindness which will never be forgotten by those who had the honour
40 of seeing him that day, he replied to each separately. The addresses presented
41 referred, in an extremely loyal tone, to the various measures of reform passed
42 during His Lordship’s tenure of office, His Excellency’s reply to the address
43 of the Anjuman-r-Islémié of Léhore was clearly delivered in Persian, and
44 was highly appreciated by the members of the deputation. The same day
45 the Lady Aitchison Hospital for native women was formally opened by Lady
46 Dufferin. After the address from the Managing Committee of the Institution
47 had been read, the Marchioness rose and said: “I declare the Hospital
48 open, and may God’s blessing rest upon it.” Lord Dufferin and Sir Charles
49 Aitchison made speeches, which were most enthusiastically received by the
50 chiefs and nobles who were interested in the Institution.
51 Her-Excellency visited the zendnd ladies assembled in the room set apart
52 for them, where some very interesting ceremonies took place. A native
53 lady * read Hindi verses which she had composed for the occasion. Her
54 Excellency and suite were decorated with garlands of flowers, which they
55 wore throughout the ceremony. Some choice articles of female industry,
56 such as baskets, hair chains, &., were laid before Her Iixcellency. The
57 Marchioness and party, on taking their leave, shook hands with the native
58 ladies, expressing a hope that they would continue to sympathise with a work
59 which was for the good of their own sex.
60 Brief as was the stay of Lord Dufferin at Lahore, His Excellency’s
61 courteous demeanour, and the gracious and affable way in which he received
62 the several deputations of public bodies there, won all hearts. His words
63 had a charming effect and impresssed his hearers. His final words to the
64 deputations were deeply touching and produced genuine regret at the
65 departure from the country of a ruler possessed of so high a spirit, and of
66 Sri Satguru J agjit Sisga whekilarane of our fellow-cibvaln) GaashliQray 5B) gmail.com