Tempo:
British Annexation of Malwa
217
Bahawalpur and Multan. Second, that Ranjit Singh's suzerainty over the whole of the Sikh nation should be recognized; the British were not to entertain any disaffected Sikh chiefs or meddle with the traditions of the Khfilsaji; and, third, that the alliance should be in perpetuity. Metcalfe forwarded the counterproposals to the governor general. After a fortnight in Faridkot, the Maharajah proceeded to Malerkotla, where Metcalfe followed him. The Pathan ruler of Malerkotla submitted to Ranjit Singh. (Metcalfe had to ignore the Nawab's plea to intercede on his behalf and have the levy imposed on him reduced.)~ From Malerkotla, Ranjit Singh went to Ambala and then to Shahabad. The Maharajah continued on his triumphant march through the regfon and was welcomed by the people wherever he went. At Patiala, the petrified Sahib Singh asked to be forgiven. Ranjit Singh overlooked his past conduct, embraced him, and exchanged turbans with him. The Maharajah thus gave a clear proof, if proof were needed, that most of the land between the Jumna and the Sutlej was under his control and that almost all the chieftains of the area acknowledged him as suzerain. But the British government had now decided to take the doab between theJumna and the Sutlej under its protection and began to move its troops northwards. Metcalfe was instructed that, although the alliance with the Durbar was no longed considered necessary, he should 'spin things out' until Colonel Ochterlony had assembled his forces and was ready to take the field. 8 Metcalfe commilled many of his Lboughts to paper. It is clear from whal he wrote that. he had come around to the view thal Ranjit's suzerainty over the Cis-Sutlej states was an accomplished fact and, if his government really desired Ranjil's friendship, they should recognize that sovereignly. The only Lhing that bothered him was the position of the few chiefs of the region who had not yet submiLted to Ranjit's overlordship. If his government gave Ranjit unconditional recognition it would be forcing some unwilling people into his arms. If it made recognition conditional on bis ability Lo bring them into his fold, il would be encouraging him to commit aggression. Metcalfe's mind was obsessed with the ex.act wording of the recognition. not with its substance.
217
Bahawalpur and Multan. Second, that Ranjit Singh's suzerainty over the whole of the Sikh nation should be recognized; the British were not to entertain any disaffected Sikh chiefs or meddle with the traditions of the Khfilsaji; and, third, that the alliance should be in perpetuity. Metcalfe forwarded the counterproposals to the governor general. After a fortnight in Faridkot, the Maharajah proceeded to Malerkotla, where Metcalfe followed him. The Pathan ruler of Malerkotla submitted to Ranjit Singh. (Metcalfe had to ignore the Nawab's plea to intercede on his behalf and have the levy imposed on him reduced.)~ From Malerkotla, Ranjit Singh went to Ambala and then to Shahabad. The Maharajah continued on his triumphant march through the regfon and was welcomed by the people wherever he went. At Patiala, the petrified Sahib Singh asked to be forgiven. Ranjit Singh overlooked his past conduct, embraced him, and exchanged turbans with him. The Maharajah thus gave a clear proof, if proof were needed, that most of the land between the Jumna and the Sutlej was under his control and that almost all the chieftains of the area acknowledged him as suzerain. But the British government had now decided to take the doab between theJumna and the Sutlej under its protection and began to move its troops northwards. Metcalfe was instructed that, although the alliance with the Durbar was no longed considered necessary, he should 'spin things out' until Colonel Ochterlony had assembled his forces and was ready to take the field. 8 Metcalfe commilled many of his Lboughts to paper. It is clear from whal he wrote that. he had come around to the view thal Ranjit's suzerainty over the Cis-Sutlej states was an accomplished fact and, if his government really desired Ranjil's friendship, they should recognize that sovereignly. The only Lhing that bothered him was the position of the few chiefs of the region who had not yet submiLted to Ranjit's overlordship. If his government gave Ranjit unconditional recognition it would be forcing some unwilling people into his arms. If it made recognition conditional on bis ability Lo bring them into his fold, il would be encouraging him to commit aggression. Metcalfe's mind was obsessed with the ex.act wording of the recognition. not with its substance.
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