1 Rise to Power of Ranjit Singh. 81
2 particularly those relating to native states and their
3 rulers, on whose aid Napoleon was said to be
4 counting for the success of his enterprise.
5 In these circumstances, the request of the Cis-
6 Sutlej deputation caused the British Government
7 no little embarrassment. Ranjit Singh's ambition
8 to extend his authority over the entire Sikh com-
9 munity was well known. To thwart this ambition
10 would be to make an enemy of one whose friend-
11 ship was, at this juncture, of paramount importance.
12 On the other hand, to refuse the protection asked
13 for would mean abandoning a number of friendly
14 states to a neighbouring power whose disposition
15 had yet to be tested. The reply to the deputation,
16 though straightforward, was cautious and vague.
17 It practically amounted to this : We can promise
18 nothing definite ; but you have our sympathy, and
19 we will do what we can.
20 To Ranjit Singh the tactics of Napoleon were
21 of no great concern, except in so far as they en-
22 hanced the value of his friendship in the eyes of
23 the English. His main desire at this time was
24 to extend his dominion to the banks of the Jumna.
25 He knew that the British Government viewed his
26 project with strong disfavour, and that they were
27 well able to prevent its accomplishment. But he
28 hoped to obtain by diplomacy what he was too weak
29 to take by force ; and the prospect, remote or other-
30 wise, of a French invasion added considerably to
31 his chances of success. He had, himself, no desire
32 to see the French enter India, nor any intention
33 of taking sides with them if they did. But these
34 (1,841) 6