Tempo:
Dreams of Sindh and the Sea
263
The Indian crusaders were joined by the Pathan tribesmen,
mainly the Yusufzais, who were always on the lookout for an excuse to loot the Punjab. Syed Akbar Shah of Buner (a Yusufzai pir) gave his blessings to the venture. Yar Mohammed, true to his fickle nature, decided to throw in his lot with what he believed would be the winning side, and evacuated Peshawar. The Durbar sent Budh Singh Sandhawalia ('one of the ablest and most intelligent commanders in the Raja's service') 4 along with Ventura and Allard to retake Peshawar. Syed Ahmed met Sandhawalia's forces at Shaidu5 near Attock. Religious fervour proved a poor match for discipline; the crusaders were pushed aside and Peshawar re-occupied. Yar Mohammed was on his knees again, craving pardon. He sent his brother as hostage to the Durbar and promised to be faithfi.11. Once again he was pardoned by the Maharajah. The crusaders explained away the defeat as a reverse for Yar Mohammed, whom they branded as a collaborator. Syed Ahmed started harassing stray columns of Punjabi troops. These skirmishes were magnified into victories and the whole of Muslim India was kept in a state of jubilation.6 Syed Ahmed's tactics soon put the Punjabis on the defensive. The crusaders swarmed all over the country around Peshawar. The lieutenant governor wrote back 10 him in reply lhat as long as the peace of their territories was not disturbed. they had nothing to say, nor had they any objection lo such preparation. (Ganda Singh. Privnt, Corrnpondmre &wring lo the Ang{Nilth Wars, p. 30.) 4 Wade to Metcalfe, PC 5 of 20.4.1827. 5 Budh Singh Sandhawalia was killed in the baule. 6 Metcalfe reported the reperrussions in India Lo the governor general in the following words: 'Syed Ahmed, Mauhi Ismail, and their colleagues have established a very extensive, if nOI uni\'ersal, influence over the minds of our Mohammedan subjects. During the period of their recent auack on Ranjit Singh's territories, the most fervent anxiety for their success pervaded the Mohammedan population of Delhi. Numbers quitted their homes and marched to join them, u,cJuding some who resigned their employmems in the Company's senice, both the military and the civil branches, for tliat purpose. It is said that the King of Delhi encouraged this spirit.' (PC 38 of 22.6.1827.)
263
The Indian crusaders were joined by the Pathan tribesmen,
mainly the Yusufzais, who were always on the lookout for an excuse to loot the Punjab. Syed Akbar Shah of Buner (a Yusufzai pir) gave his blessings to the venture. Yar Mohammed, true to his fickle nature, decided to throw in his lot with what he believed would be the winning side, and evacuated Peshawar. The Durbar sent Budh Singh Sandhawalia ('one of the ablest and most intelligent commanders in the Raja's service') 4 along with Ventura and Allard to retake Peshawar. Syed Ahmed met Sandhawalia's forces at Shaidu5 near Attock. Religious fervour proved a poor match for discipline; the crusaders were pushed aside and Peshawar re-occupied. Yar Mohammed was on his knees again, craving pardon. He sent his brother as hostage to the Durbar and promised to be faithfi.11. Once again he was pardoned by the Maharajah. The crusaders explained away the defeat as a reverse for Yar Mohammed, whom they branded as a collaborator. Syed Ahmed started harassing stray columns of Punjabi troops. These skirmishes were magnified into victories and the whole of Muslim India was kept in a state of jubilation.6 Syed Ahmed's tactics soon put the Punjabis on the defensive. The crusaders swarmed all over the country around Peshawar. The lieutenant governor wrote back 10 him in reply lhat as long as the peace of their territories was not disturbed. they had nothing to say, nor had they any objection lo such preparation. (Ganda Singh. Privnt, Corrnpondmre &wring lo the Ang{Nilth Wars, p. 30.) 4 Wade to Metcalfe, PC 5 of 20.4.1827. 5 Budh Singh Sandhawalia was killed in the baule. 6 Metcalfe reported the reperrussions in India Lo the governor general in the following words: 'Syed Ahmed, Mauhi Ismail, and their colleagues have established a very extensive, if nOI uni\'ersal, influence over the minds of our Mohammedan subjects. During the period of their recent auack on Ranjit Singh's territories, the most fervent anxiety for their success pervaded the Mohammedan population of Delhi. Numbers quitted their homes and marched to join them, u,cJuding some who resigned their employmems in the Company's senice, both the military and the civil branches, for tliat purpose. It is said that the King of Delhi encouraged this spirit.' (PC 38 of 22.6.1827.)
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