Tempo:
HISTORY OF THE SIKHS
184
CHAP. VII
1835-6.
ed that the English looked to them to restrain the Mazaris, so as to deprive Ranjit Singh of all pretext
The Mahai
for interference.^ The aggressions nevertheless continued, or were alleged to be continued; and in August 1836, the Multan Governor took formal possession of Rdjhan.- In the October following the Mazaris were brought to action and defeated, and the Sikhs occupied a fort called Ken, to the south of Rojhan, and beyond the proper limit of that tribe.^
raja nevertheless
keeps in
view his plans of aggrandize-
ment.
The objects of the English become
Thus was Ranjit Singh gradually feeling his way by force; but the English had, in the meantime, resolved to go far beyond him in diplomacy. It had been political as well as com- determined that Capt. Burnes should proceed on a mercial, commercial mission to the countries bordering on the 1836. Indus, with the view of completing the reopening of that river to the traffic of the world.'* But the Mahait was said, should understand that their objects were purely mercantile, and that, indeed, his aid was looked for in establishing somewhere a great entrepot of trade, such as, it had once been hoped, might have been commenced at Mithankot."^ Yet the views of the British authorities with regard to Sind were inevitably becoming political as well as commercial. The condition of that country, said the Governor-General, had been much thought about, and the result was a conviction that the connexion with it should be drawn closer.® The Amirs, he continued, might desire the protection of the English against Ranjit Singh, and previous negotiations, which their fears or- their hostility had broken off, might be renewed with a view to giving them assistance; and, finally, it was determined that the English Government should mediate between Ranjit Singh and the Sindians, and afterwards adjust the other external relations of the Amirs when a Resident
raja,
and they resolve on niediating
between Ranjit
Singh and the Sindians.
should be stationed at Hyderabad.
The EngUsh
With regard to Ranjit Singh, the English rulers observed that they were bound by the strongest considerations of political interest to prevent the extension of the Sikh power along the course of the Indus, and that, although they would respect the acknowledged territories of the Maharaja, they desired that his existing relations of peace should not be disturbed; for, if
desire to restrain
Ranjit
Singh without threatening him.
1
1836;
Government to Capt. Wade, 27th May 1835, and 5th Sept. and Government to Col: Pottinger, 19th Sept. 1836.
2 Capt. 3 Capt.
Wade to Government, 29th Aug. 1836. Wade to Government, 2nd Nov. 1836.
* Government to Capt. 5 Government to * Government to
Wade, 5th Sept. 1836. Capt. Wade, 5th Sept. 1836. Col. Pottinger, 26th Sept. 1836.
184
CHAP. VII
1835-6.
ed that the English looked to them to restrain the Mazaris, so as to deprive Ranjit Singh of all pretext
The Mahai
for interference.^ The aggressions nevertheless continued, or were alleged to be continued; and in August 1836, the Multan Governor took formal possession of Rdjhan.- In the October following the Mazaris were brought to action and defeated, and the Sikhs occupied a fort called Ken, to the south of Rojhan, and beyond the proper limit of that tribe.^
raja nevertheless
keeps in
view his plans of aggrandize-
ment.
The objects of the English become
Thus was Ranjit Singh gradually feeling his way by force; but the English had, in the meantime, resolved to go far beyond him in diplomacy. It had been political as well as com- determined that Capt. Burnes should proceed on a mercial, commercial mission to the countries bordering on the 1836. Indus, with the view of completing the reopening of that river to the traffic of the world.'* But the Mahait was said, should understand that their objects were purely mercantile, and that, indeed, his aid was looked for in establishing somewhere a great entrepot of trade, such as, it had once been hoped, might have been commenced at Mithankot."^ Yet the views of the British authorities with regard to Sind were inevitably becoming political as well as commercial. The condition of that country, said the Governor-General, had been much thought about, and the result was a conviction that the connexion with it should be drawn closer.® The Amirs, he continued, might desire the protection of the English against Ranjit Singh, and previous negotiations, which their fears or- their hostility had broken off, might be renewed with a view to giving them assistance; and, finally, it was determined that the English Government should mediate between Ranjit Singh and the Sindians, and afterwards adjust the other external relations of the Amirs when a Resident
raja,
and they resolve on niediating
between Ranjit
Singh and the Sindians.
should be stationed at Hyderabad.
The EngUsh
With regard to Ranjit Singh, the English rulers observed that they were bound by the strongest considerations of political interest to prevent the extension of the Sikh power along the course of the Indus, and that, although they would respect the acknowledged territories of the Maharaja, they desired that his existing relations of peace should not be disturbed; for, if
desire to restrain
Ranjit
Singh without threatening him.
1
1836;
Government to Capt. Wade, 27th May 1835, and 5th Sept. and Government to Col: Pottinger, 19th Sept. 1836.
2 Capt. 3 Capt.
Wade to Government, 29th Aug. 1836. Wade to Government, 2nd Nov. 1836.
* Government to Capt. 5 Government to * Government to
Wade, 5th Sept. 1836. Capt. Wade, 5th Sept. 1836. Col. Pottinger, 26th Sept. 1836.
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