1 AND OF HIS GOVERNMENT. 183
2 juncture. Runjeet Singh, though the most iafluential
3 chief, pretended not then to any supremacy of dominion,
4 and the question was one, which, as it concerned the whole
5 body of the Sikhs, required that all should have a voice
6 in determining. At present the Government appears to
7 be a pure despotism, the standing army, ever ready for
8 active service, and eager to be employed where plunder
9 and exaction are the objects, forms the whole machinery
10 of administration. By it only the treasury is filled, and
11 control exercised over state officers, powerful subjects, and
12 indeed over every class of the population. The personal
13 influence, and verbal orders of the head of the state, form
14 again the exclusive hold upon the discipline and affec-
15 tions of the troops. Thus the whole power and authority
16 centres in the single individual, whom fortune, and his
17 own abilities have placed at the head of affairs; and,
18 upon his being removed from the scene, unless there be
19 another to fill his place, with equal energy, and command
20 over the attachment and affections of his dependents,
21 which, it is to be feared, is not the character of Khu-
22 RUK Singh, every thing must necessarily fall into con-
23 fusion.
24 The territorial possessions of Runjeet Singh, com-
25 prize now the entire fork of the Punjab, as bounded by
26 the Indus and Sutlej, the two extreme rivers. He holds
27 besides Kashmeer, and the entire hill country to the
28 snowy range, and even Ludak beyond the Heemalaya : for
29 though many of the Rajas of this tract still remain in their
30 possessions, they have been reduced to the character of
31 subjects, paying tribute equal to their utmost means, and
32 contributing men to the armies of Labor, whenever called
33 upon. Besides this extensive territory, Runjeet Singh