Sing ordered prince Khurruck Sing to remove his wife to Umritser, that the heir to the Khalsa empire might be born under the happy influence of the Gooroos.

Nanuck Chund, after punishing the Rajah of Kukka Bumba, rebuilt the fort of Pukhee, and was on his way to Lahore, when he was suddenly taken ill. He rallied after a short though severe indisposition, and returned to Lahore in a delicate state of health. Ramdial having levied tribute on the natives of Bar was on his way to Lahore, when intelligence reached him of the difficulties into which Elli Bux had got himself by undue severity of conduct. Ramdial marched out to Elli Bux's relief, extricated him from the danger, and inflicted such punishment on the rebels, that it was long before they were able again to rise against lawful authority. Jemadar Kooshal Sing having conquered the Dehrah Gazee Khan territory, the whole of the newly acquired province, with that of Mooltan, was leased for twenty-five lacs of rupees to Saduck Khan Daoodpothra.

1820. In the beginning of this year, Dewan Chund received from Nawab Shanemaz Khan two lacs of rupees for his holdings; the other feudatories followed the Nawab's example, and the Lahore exchequer, it is related, was never known to have been richer.

Every part of the Punjab was at peace; once for all the country enjoyed universal quiet, nor did there appear any thing in the political horizon to disturb this calm, unless indeed the sovereign authority resolved to presume too much on human endurance. Runjeet Sing's policy excluded all unnecessary acts of oppression, nor was it in keeping with his usual sagacity to be taken unawares by any political storm. But as ill-luck would have it, his mother-in-law, Ranee Sudda Kour, whose presence in the camp was neither expedient nor political, resolved to try human nature beyond human endurance, and by actual experience to learn the extent to which fortune may be trifled with. Up to this time uniform success had attended all the operations of the Sirdars under Ramdial; they were respected and obeyed by men who were not notorious for their fidelity or submission to lawful authority. While Ramdial was meditating a triumphal entry into Lahore, he was surprised by a rumour that Ranee Sudda Kour had demanded of the natives of Bar, the bodies of all the Sirdars who had fallen. since the Seikhs had entered their country. He was not a little surprised to find that such a demand had been made, and that the natives were already betraying signs of disaffection. No order could be more preposterous. Its absurdity was so obvious, so revoltingly irrational, that though the etiquette of oriental

despotism does not even tolerate an explanation from those who have nothing else to offer but implicit obedience, the natives of Bar presented a remonstrance to the self-willed Ranee. She was impervious to all arguments, and resolved to carry out her suicidal policy; she stuck to her resolution with the pertinacity so common to her sex. As if influenced by a sad presentiment of coming events, Ramdial visited the Ranee and persuaded her to retract her order, but even his powerful influence failed in its attempt to shake her resolution. Nothing could succeed against the temper of this imperious woman, and it is quite a mystery why, with the full confidence of Runjeet Sing's approbation, Ramdial did not take it upon himself to countermand the order. Unfortunately for the Seikh, and more so for Ramdial himself, the general-in-chief gave in, and prepared for the resistance to the Ranee's entreaties which was now inevitable. The Sirdars were simultaneously attacked by the irritated Belochees; the Seikhs suffered dreadfully at different places, and the state of affairs assumed a most melancholy aspect. One day, at about four in the afternoon, while Ramdial was sitting in his tent, a messenger, who even our author believes was an angel, walked up to him and beseeched him to go to the relief of the Khalsas, who were being driven back by the enemy. The plucky young general, unable to bear it any longer, jumped into his saddle, and with a handful of horsemen sallied out against the enemy. At night fall, Ramdial was surrounded by a party of Belochees, and a fierce engagement took place; for almost one full hour the Seikhs fought hand to hand with the enemy, but fresh men coming up continually, the odds against the Seikhs increased. On that day the Khalsa steel told with wonderful effect, but there is a line which even heroes cannot pass, and the day closed on the complete overthrow of the Seikhs. Out of the handful of men whom Ramdial led out, only three or four escaped, and among those who fell was the brave commander-in-chief himself! Thus perished one of the bravest, ablest, and most successful generals that Runjeet Sing ever had. The news of his death travelled like wild-fire. The Seikh camp was at once struck; preparations were immediately set on foot for an ignominious retreat! Runjeet Sing sincerely deplored the loss of his favorite general. "It is a misfortune," said he, "to lose a hero, but to lose one in a petty skirmish is sad indeed. • Had he fallen in a great battle the regret would have been 'less." Dewan Moteeram was overcome with grief; if Runjeet Sing had lost a faithful supporter, the Dewan had lost a promising son; he gave himself up to despair, and against all the persuasions of the Maharajah, he made up his mind

to leave the Punjab, and to husband his last days in the holy city of Benares. Thus ended the unfortunate expedition against Bar, and the Seikh army returned to Lahore in shame and sorrow. It is not known whether Sudda Kour regretted the conduct which heaped such obloquy and disgrace on the Khalsa army, but the most sincere repentance could hardly redeem the effects of one rash act which put a nation in mourning.

The Seikhs returned from Bar, but the infuriated Belochees still continued in open rebellion. They had submitted without much resistance, because they were willing and able to check oppression; the conquerors had presumed too far on their acquiescing temper, and they were ready at any cost to throw off the forced allegiance. Mahomed Khan, the Jemadar of Goldhari, who had some influence among the frontier tribes, volunteered to pacify the justly incensed Belochees, and if possible to bring them back to their allegiance. The offer was gladly received, and Mahomed Khan was asked to intercede without delay. The Jemadar cut his way through them, convened a meeting of their leaders, and nothing else is mentioned of his endeavours in the cause of the Seikhs, besides his success in reducing this people to submission by persuasion and entreaties. Nanuck Chund, who was for a second time ordered against the natives of Kukka Bumba, and the fort of the Durbund, successfully operated against them, and, for future safety, built the fort of Gazhi. Bulloo Sing was first in command of the newly-built stronghold, and Nanuck Chund returned to Lahore. The frontier forts were placed under the command of Nund Sing, a general of little experience but of tried fidelity.

Runjeet Sing marched out of Lahore on a pleasure excursion; he visited Buttala, and passed a few days in the gardens of Shamshere Khan. After celebrating the Dusserah at Buttala, Runjeet Sing marched towards Sealkote, and was delighted with the twin princes Mooltana and Cashmera Sing, who were residing in that city with a small court of their own. The octroi of Umritser was farmed to Ramanund for eightyfive thousand rupees over and above the amount of the last lease. One Moulvie Muzzer Hussain, who possessed a smattering of English, offered his services to Runjeet Sing; the Maharajah appreciated the Moulvie's talents, and put him in charge of the government of Kullanare, where he acquitted himself with general satisfaction.

Moteeram, still suffering from domestic afflictions, resigned the government of Cashmere, and was succeeded by Hurree Sing the future conqueror of Peshawur. Pundit Burbar

Dur visited the new viceroy's camp with presents and tribute, and after receiving kheluts returned back to Cashmere. News having reached Runjeet Sing of a disturbance near the Chenab, the Maharajah marched out in person against the insurgents. The Jageerdars, of the disturbed districts not being ready with their retainers, Runjeet Sing fined them a lac of rupees. Tranquillity was soon restored and Runjeet Sing returned to Lahore. Nund Sing, proving himself incapable of holding the frontier, that important command was made over to Nanuck Chund.

The brother of Dewan Bhowani Das was ordered to Kooloo for the collection of revenue, and Golab Sing-the late protected ruler of Cashmere-was sent against Dadoo Rajputh, a man of considerable genius and immense local influence. Golab Sing engaged him near his head quarters, and after a most desperate fight of some hours, the Rajput and his two sons were left on the field of battle, but his devotion and courage elicited the warmest applause even from his enemies. The youngest son of Dadoo Rajput was taken to Lahore, and his education was entrusted to one of the Sirdars. Golab Sing, after a deal of trouble, succeeded in taking Ugger Khan prisoner to Lahore; he was imprisoned for life, and his son received a small Jageer. On the 24th of Phagun, Prince Naenehal Sing, son of the heir apparent, Prince Khurruck Sing, was born in Umritser. Runjeet Sing celebrated the birth of a grandson with unusual splendour.

The natives of Kukka Bumba again proving turbulent, Dewan Chund Zuffer Jung was sent against them. An Attaree Sirdar, who was appointed his secretary with strict injunctions to obey the general-in-chief in all measures connected with the expedition, took umbrage at the Dewan, and refused to follow the camp beyond Noopoor. Dewan Chund reported the Attaree chief's conduct, and the refractory Sirdar was summoned to Lahore and publicly reprimanded for wilful disobedience; still further to soothe the general's wounded dignity, Runjeet Sing appointed Hurree Sing, the governor of Cashmere, his second in command.

We may again return to the subject of our present article. We shall then close the reign of Runjeet Sing, and for the first time lay before the public a Seikh account of the Sutlej and the Punjab campaigns. The readers of Wade and Prinsep will at once have discovered the marked superiority of Dewan Ummer Nath's narrative over those of our own writers.

ART. II.-1. First, Second, Third, and Fourth Reports from the Select Committee of the House of Commons on Colonization and Settlement in India; with the Minutes

of Evidence taken before them. London, 1858.

2. Papers relating to the Settlement of Europeans in India. Calcutta, Thacker, Spink and Co., 1854.

3. A Further Inquiry into the Expediency of applying the Principles of Colonial Policy to the Government of India, and of effecting an essential change in its Landed Tenures and in the character of its inhabitants. By the AUTHOR OF THE ORIGINAL INQUIRY. London, J. M. Richardson, 23, Cornhill, 1828.

I the NTERLOPER.-The word in its Anglo-Indian sense has always suggested a sense of wrong on the part of one, and a feeling of undue assumption on the part of the other, of the two great classes, official and non-official, into which British-born subjects in India are divided. It suggested likewise a feeling of special antagonism to the East India Company. We confess to having been an Interloper ourselves, and to having strong interloping feelings, but we shall do our best to keep them under, and it will be the more easy to do so, because on the 1st of September we entered upon an era in Anglo-Indian history, wherein the term Interloper will soon be unmeaning and obsolete. Though we cannot at once realise the position, and it is quite possible that at least ten years will elapse before we shall be able to do so; still the fact is consolatory, and will help us in subduing those feelings, to the possession of which we have confessed. In reviewing the career of the Interloper, in tracing him through the transition state, from that of an interloping adventurer to that of an unwelcome, though more independent, settler; in defining his present position, and in speculating on his future, we shall be as little controversial as possible. We propose rather to be narrative and suggestive. The heading of our article may be objected to, as being in itself, by our own confession, of a pugnacious tendency, but as the term Interloper best expresses our meaning, we must use it. Dr. Johnson defines the word "one who runs into business to which he has no right." Now this is exactly what the late "Company" has considered the private trader or settler in India. He was equally disliked when the Company's agents cringed to Nawabs and Subadars, craving their permission to trade, as when its puny settlements were swallowed up in provinces, and when its sway expanded from the boun

DEC., 1858.