1 84 A Short History of the Sikhs.
2 For a long time Ranjit Singh declined to accept
3 an alliance based on such terms. He even made
4 preparations for war; and a force under Colonel
5 Ochterlony was sent across the Jumna to hold him
6 in check. In the end, however, wiser considerations
7 prevailed. The approach of Colonel Ochterlony con-
8 vinced him that the British were in earnest, and
9 he was growing apprehensive lest the unsubdued
10 chiefs of the Punjab should follow the example
11 of those of Malwa, and seek British protection.
12 At the same time an incident took place in the
13 envoy's camp which still further inclined him to
14 a peaceable settlement. It was the month of
15 Muharram, and the Muhammadan retainers of the
16 envoy were engaged in celebrating the festival with
17 the customary procession, when they were attacked
18 by a large body of Akalis. Mr. Metcalfe was forced
19 to call out his escort, which, though it consisted only
20 of two companies of native infantry and sixteen
21 troopers, completely routed the Akalis, who out-
22 numbered them by ten to one. The Maharaja pro-
23 fusely apologized for the outrage, complimented Mr.
24 Metcalfe on the bravery of his soldiers, and sent
25 a detachment of his own troops to guard the envoy's
26 camp. The affair made a' deep impression on Ranjit
27 Singh, and convinced him of the unfitness of his own
28 ill-organized levies to oppose the disciplined armies
29 of the British.
30 Having once made up his mind to comply with
31 the terms offered him, Ranjit Singh lost no time
32 in recalling his troops to the Punjab, and on April
33 25, 1809, the treaty was signed. It was by