Tempo:
268
Punjab Monarchy and Imperialism
time his mission was to cover the tribal areas of Afghanistan. In order to allay suspicion, Burnes divested himselfof his official status and gave out that he was taking the overland route to return home to England. He therefore took the liberty of asking the Maharajah 'as an old friend' for permission to travel through the Punjab. The permission was readily granted. The subject of the opening up of the Indus was again mentioned. The Maharajah conceded that, although some benefits might accrue to the Punjab, 'he did not relish the idea of vessels navigating all parts of his territories.' He feared collision with the British govemment. 14 While Burnes went north-west to prepare the ground in Afghanistan, Wade visited Lahore to 'persuade' the Maharajah to put his signature to the commercial treaty. The Amirs of Hyderabad and Khairpur signed in April: there was not much the Durbar could now do. On 26 December 1832, the Maharajah affixed his seal to the treaty and so renounced the Punjab's ambition to extend its empire to the sea.
14 Burnes, Travels i11to Bokhara, n, 28.
Punjab Monarchy and Imperialism
time his mission was to cover the tribal areas of Afghanistan. In order to allay suspicion, Burnes divested himselfof his official status and gave out that he was taking the overland route to return home to England. He therefore took the liberty of asking the Maharajah 'as an old friend' for permission to travel through the Punjab. The permission was readily granted. The subject of the opening up of the Indus was again mentioned. The Maharajah conceded that, although some benefits might accrue to the Punjab, 'he did not relish the idea of vessels navigating all parts of his territories.' He feared collision with the British govemment. 14 While Burnes went north-west to prepare the ground in Afghanistan, Wade visited Lahore to 'persuade' the Maharajah to put his signature to the commercial treaty. The Amirs of Hyderabad and Khairpur signed in April: there was not much the Durbar could now do. On 26 December 1832, the Maharajah affixed his seal to the treaty and so renounced the Punjab's ambition to extend its empire to the sea.
14 Burnes, Travels i11to Bokhara, n, 28.
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