Tempo:
HISTORY OF THE SIKHS
•210
CHAP, DC
the English race, and the political supremacy of three generations. All longed for retribution, and all were cheered amid their difficulties by the genial temper and lofty bearing of one chief; and by the systematic industry and full knowledge of military requirements possessed by the other. But joy and gratitude were yet uppermost for the moment; the hope of revenge was disturbed by the remembrance of danger; and, unmindful of the rebuke of the wise Ulysses, a partial Divinity was praised by proclamation, for the delive-
1843-6.
rance he had vouchsafed to his votaries. Unholy is the voice Of loud thanksgiving over slaughtered men.' The Sikhs recross the Sutlej,
and
threaten Ludhiana, Jan. 1846.
The British army was gradually reinforced, and it took up a position stretching from Ferozepore towards Hariki, and parallel to that held by the Sikhs on the right bank of the Sutlej. But the want of ammunition and heavy guns reduced the English to inactivity, and delay produced negligence on their part and emboldened the enemy to fresh acts of daring. The Cis-Sutlej feudatories kept aloof from their new masters, or they excited disturbances; and the Raja of Ladwa, a petty prince dependent on the English, but who had been denounced as a traitor for a year past,- openly proOdyssey, xxii. 25th December
1
the
The Governor-General's notification of calls upon the troops to render
1845
acknowledgements to God, and the ecclesiastical authorities in Calcutta subsequently circulated a form of thanksgiving. The anxiety of the Governor-General may be further inferred from his proclamation, encouraging desertion from the Sikh ranks, with the assurance of present rewards and future pensions, and the immediate decision of any lawsuits in which the deserters Tuight be engaged in the British provinces! (Major Smith, Reigyiing Family of Lahore, Introduction, p. xxvi n.) The feeling which prompted the troops of Cromwell or Gustavus to kneel and return thanks to God on the field of victory must ever be admired and honoured; for it was genuine, and pervaded all ranks, from the leader downwards, and it would equally have moved the soldiers to reproaches and humiliation had they been beaten. But such tokens of reverence and abasement come coldly and without a. vital meaning in the guise of a 'general order' or 'circular memorandum'; and perhaps a civilized and intelligent government might with advantage refrain from such tame and passionless assurances of devotion and gratitude, while it gave more attention to religious exercises in its regimental regulations. God should rather be kept ever present to the minds of the armed servants of the state by daily worship and instruction, than ostentatiously lauded on the rare occasion of a victory.
Major Broadfoot to Government, 13th Dec. 1844. This from Lord Auckland, partly as a compliment to Ranjit Singh, to whom he was related, and 2
chief received the title of Raja
•210
CHAP, DC
the English race, and the political supremacy of three generations. All longed for retribution, and all were cheered amid their difficulties by the genial temper and lofty bearing of one chief; and by the systematic industry and full knowledge of military requirements possessed by the other. But joy and gratitude were yet uppermost for the moment; the hope of revenge was disturbed by the remembrance of danger; and, unmindful of the rebuke of the wise Ulysses, a partial Divinity was praised by proclamation, for the delive-
1843-6.
rance he had vouchsafed to his votaries. Unholy is the voice Of loud thanksgiving over slaughtered men.' The Sikhs recross the Sutlej,
and
threaten Ludhiana, Jan. 1846.
The British army was gradually reinforced, and it took up a position stretching from Ferozepore towards Hariki, and parallel to that held by the Sikhs on the right bank of the Sutlej. But the want of ammunition and heavy guns reduced the English to inactivity, and delay produced negligence on their part and emboldened the enemy to fresh acts of daring. The Cis-Sutlej feudatories kept aloof from their new masters, or they excited disturbances; and the Raja of Ladwa, a petty prince dependent on the English, but who had been denounced as a traitor for a year past,- openly proOdyssey, xxii. 25th December
1
the
The Governor-General's notification of calls upon the troops to render
1845
acknowledgements to God, and the ecclesiastical authorities in Calcutta subsequently circulated a form of thanksgiving. The anxiety of the Governor-General may be further inferred from his proclamation, encouraging desertion from the Sikh ranks, with the assurance of present rewards and future pensions, and the immediate decision of any lawsuits in which the deserters Tuight be engaged in the British provinces! (Major Smith, Reigyiing Family of Lahore, Introduction, p. xxvi n.) The feeling which prompted the troops of Cromwell or Gustavus to kneel and return thanks to God on the field of victory must ever be admired and honoured; for it was genuine, and pervaded all ranks, from the leader downwards, and it would equally have moved the soldiers to reproaches and humiliation had they been beaten. But such tokens of reverence and abasement come coldly and without a. vital meaning in the guise of a 'general order' or 'circular memorandum'; and perhaps a civilized and intelligent government might with advantage refrain from such tame and passionless assurances of devotion and gratitude, while it gave more attention to religious exercises in its regimental regulations. God should rather be kept ever present to the minds of the armed servants of the state by daily worship and instruction, than ostentatiously lauded on the rare occasion of a victory.
Major Broadfoot to Government, 13th Dec. 1844. This from Lord Auckland, partly as a compliment to Ranjit Singh, to whom he was related, and 2
chief received the title of Raja
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