Tempo:
HISTORY OF THE SIKHS
194 1837.
The Sikh military Order of the Star.
Ranjit Singh's object the gratifica-
tion of his guests and allies.
Anecdotes showing a similar
purpose.
CHAP. VII
be entertained by a guest. Sir Henry Fane, therefore, entered heartily into the marriage festivities of Lahore, and his active mind was amused with giving shape to a scheme, which the intuitive sagacity of Ranjit Singh had acquiesced in as pleasing to the just pride or useful vanity of English soldiers. The project of establishing an Order of merit similar to those dying exponents of warlike skill and chivalrous fraternity among European nations, had been for some time entertained, and although such a system of distinction can be adapted to the genius of any people, the object of the Maharaja was simply to gratify his English neighbours, and advantage was accordingly taken of Sir Henry Fane's presence to establish the 'Order of the auspicious Star of the Punjab' on a purely British model.^ This method of pleasing, or occupying the attention of the English authorities, was not unusual with Ranjit Singh, and he was always ready to inquire concerning matters which interested them, or which might be turned to account by himself. He would ask for specimens of, and for information about, the manufacture of Sambhar salt and Malwa opium.- So early as 1812 he had made trial of the sincerity of his new allies, or had shown his admiration of their skill, by asking for five hundred muskets. These were at once furnished to him, but a subsequent request for a supply of fifty thousand such
weapons excited a passing suspicion."^ He readily entered into a scheme of freighting a number of boats with merchandise for Bombay, and he was praised for the interest he took in commerce, until it was known that he wished the return cargo to consist of arms for his infantry.^ He would have his artillerymen learn gunnery at Ludhiana,^ and he would send shells of zinc to be inspected in the hope that he might receive some hints about the manufacture of iron shrapnels.*' 1 Capt. Wade to Government, 7th April 1837. [On the occasion of this visit the Maharaja displayed considerable interest in the great wars of Europe. He was particularlyinterested in the career of Napoleon. Col. Wallis, one of Sir Henry's staff, had fortunately been at Waterloo, and the Maharaja asked him many questions concerning the battle.
—Ed.] 2 Capt. Wade to the Resident at Delhi, 2nd Jan. 1831, and to Government, 25th Dec. 1835. 3 Capt. Wade to Government, 22nd July 1836. 4 Cf. Government to Capt. Wade, 11th Sept. 1837. Capt. Wade to Government, 7th Dec. 1831. When the restoration of Shah Shuja was resolved on, Ranjit Singh sent shells to Ludhiana to be looked at and commented on, as if, being engaged in one political cause, there should not be any reserve about military secrets! •'"'
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194 1837.
The Sikh military Order of the Star.
Ranjit Singh's object the gratifica-
tion of his guests and allies.
Anecdotes showing a similar
purpose.
CHAP. VII
be entertained by a guest. Sir Henry Fane, therefore, entered heartily into the marriage festivities of Lahore, and his active mind was amused with giving shape to a scheme, which the intuitive sagacity of Ranjit Singh had acquiesced in as pleasing to the just pride or useful vanity of English soldiers. The project of establishing an Order of merit similar to those dying exponents of warlike skill and chivalrous fraternity among European nations, had been for some time entertained, and although such a system of distinction can be adapted to the genius of any people, the object of the Maharaja was simply to gratify his English neighbours, and advantage was accordingly taken of Sir Henry Fane's presence to establish the 'Order of the auspicious Star of the Punjab' on a purely British model.^ This method of pleasing, or occupying the attention of the English authorities, was not unusual with Ranjit Singh, and he was always ready to inquire concerning matters which interested them, or which might be turned to account by himself. He would ask for specimens of, and for information about, the manufacture of Sambhar salt and Malwa opium.- So early as 1812 he had made trial of the sincerity of his new allies, or had shown his admiration of their skill, by asking for five hundred muskets. These were at once furnished to him, but a subsequent request for a supply of fifty thousand such
weapons excited a passing suspicion."^ He readily entered into a scheme of freighting a number of boats with merchandise for Bombay, and he was praised for the interest he took in commerce, until it was known that he wished the return cargo to consist of arms for his infantry.^ He would have his artillerymen learn gunnery at Ludhiana,^ and he would send shells of zinc to be inspected in the hope that he might receive some hints about the manufacture of iron shrapnels.*' 1 Capt. Wade to Government, 7th April 1837. [On the occasion of this visit the Maharaja displayed considerable interest in the great wars of Europe. He was particularlyinterested in the career of Napoleon. Col. Wallis, one of Sir Henry's staff, had fortunately been at Waterloo, and the Maharaja asked him many questions concerning the battle.
—Ed.] 2 Capt. Wade to the Resident at Delhi, 2nd Jan. 1831, and to Government, 25th Dec. 1835. 3 Capt. Wade to Government, 22nd July 1836. 4 Cf. Government to Capt. Wade, 11th Sept. 1837. Capt. Wade to Government, 7th Dec. 1831. When the restoration of Shah Shuja was resolved on, Ranjit Singh sent shells to Ludhiana to be looked at and commented on, as if, being engaged in one political cause, there should not be any reserve about military secrets! •'"'
fi
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