Tempo:
222 1841.
The Insurrection at Kabul, Nov. 1841.
HISTORY OF THE SIKHS
chap, viii
the veto of the English agent was put upon Raja Gulab Singh's nomination to Peshawar.^ About two months afterwards, or on the 2nd November (1841), that insurrection broke out in Kabul which forms so painful a passage in British history. No valiant youth arose superior to the fatal influence of military subordination, to render illustrious the retreat of a handful of Englishmen, or, more illustrious the successful defence of their position.- The brave spirit of Sir William Macnaghten laboured perseveringly, but in vain, against the unworthy fear which possessed the highest officers of the army; and the dismay of the distant commanders imparted some of its poison to the supreme authorities in India, who were weary of the useless and burdensome occupation of Khorasan. The first generous impulse was awed into a desire of annulling the Durrani alliance, and of collecting a force on the Indus, or even so far back as the Sutlej, there to fight for the empire of Hindustan with the torrents of exulting Afghans which the startled imaginations of Englishmen readily conjured up.-"* No confidence was placed in the efficiency or the friendship of the Sikhs; and although their aid was always considered of importance, the mode in which still,
"*
1 Government to Mr. Clerk, 2nd Aug., and Mr. Clerk to Government, 20th Aug. .1841. - There was no want of gallant and capable men in the subordinate ranks of the army, and it is known that the lamented Major Pottinger recorded his disapprobation of the retreat so fatuously commenced and so fatally ended,' although, to give validity to documents, or an appearance of unanimity to counsels, he unfortunately put his name to the orders requiring the surrender of Kandahar and Jalalabad. Cf. Government to the Commander-in-Chief, 2nd Dec. 1841, and 10th Feb. 1842; Government to Mr. Clerk, 10th Feb. 1842; and Government to General Pollock, 24th Feb. 1842. Of •'
those who recorded their opinions about the policy to be followed at the moment, it may be mentioned that Mr. Robertson, the Lieutenant-Governor of Agra, and Sir Herbert Maddock, the Political Secretary, advised a stand at Peshawar; and that Mr. Prinsep, a member of council, and Mr. Colvin, the Governor-General's private secretary, recommended a withdrawal to the Sutlej. All, however, contemplated ulterior operations. The Commander-in-Chief, it is well known, thought the rneans of the English for defending India itself somewhat scanty, and Mr. Clerk thought the Sikhs would be unable to check the invasion of mountaineers, which would assuredly take place were Jalalabad to fall. (Mr. Clerk to Government, 15th Jan. 1842.) Government to the Commander-in-Chief, 15th March •*
1842.
The Insurrection at Kabul, Nov. 1841.
HISTORY OF THE SIKHS
chap, viii
the veto of the English agent was put upon Raja Gulab Singh's nomination to Peshawar.^ About two months afterwards, or on the 2nd November (1841), that insurrection broke out in Kabul which forms so painful a passage in British history. No valiant youth arose superior to the fatal influence of military subordination, to render illustrious the retreat of a handful of Englishmen, or, more illustrious the successful defence of their position.- The brave spirit of Sir William Macnaghten laboured perseveringly, but in vain, against the unworthy fear which possessed the highest officers of the army; and the dismay of the distant commanders imparted some of its poison to the supreme authorities in India, who were weary of the useless and burdensome occupation of Khorasan. The first generous impulse was awed into a desire of annulling the Durrani alliance, and of collecting a force on the Indus, or even so far back as the Sutlej, there to fight for the empire of Hindustan with the torrents of exulting Afghans which the startled imaginations of Englishmen readily conjured up.-"* No confidence was placed in the efficiency or the friendship of the Sikhs; and although their aid was always considered of importance, the mode in which still,
"*
1 Government to Mr. Clerk, 2nd Aug., and Mr. Clerk to Government, 20th Aug. .1841. - There was no want of gallant and capable men in the subordinate ranks of the army, and it is known that the lamented Major Pottinger recorded his disapprobation of the retreat so fatuously commenced and so fatally ended,' although, to give validity to documents, or an appearance of unanimity to counsels, he unfortunately put his name to the orders requiring the surrender of Kandahar and Jalalabad. Cf. Government to the Commander-in-Chief, 2nd Dec. 1841, and 10th Feb. 1842; Government to Mr. Clerk, 10th Feb. 1842; and Government to General Pollock, 24th Feb. 1842. Of •'
those who recorded their opinions about the policy to be followed at the moment, it may be mentioned that Mr. Robertson, the Lieutenant-Governor of Agra, and Sir Herbert Maddock, the Political Secretary, advised a stand at Peshawar; and that Mr. Prinsep, a member of council, and Mr. Colvin, the Governor-General's private secretary, recommended a withdrawal to the Sutlej. All, however, contemplated ulterior operations. The Commander-in-Chief, it is well known, thought the rneans of the English for defending India itself somewhat scanty, and Mr. Clerk thought the Sikhs would be unable to check the invasion of mountaineers, which would assuredly take place were Jalalabad to fall. (Mr. Clerk to Government, 15th Jan. 1842.) Government to the Commander-in-Chief, 15th March •*
1842.
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