Page:Earl Canning.djvu/188

182 tomb of so many departed dynasties — its famous story now enriched by another episode, stranger than any yet enacted on that well-trodden stage.

Marching across the watershed which separates the waters of the Ganges Valley from those of the Indus system, the Viceroy reached Ambála, received the Cis-Sutlej Chieftains in Darbár, and conferred a well-earned reward on their conspicuous loyalty by announcing that the right of adopting an heir to their rights of sovereignty — not recognised by previous rulers of the Punjab — was henceforth to form part of their prerogative. Towards the close of February 1860, the Viceroy reached Pesháwar, rode into the famous Kháibar Pass, held a Darbár for the wild Chieftains of the Indus frontier, and discussed with the officials certain questions of local policy which could be best decided on the spot. On his return, he took the opportunity for a hurried glance at the far-famed Kángra Valley — one of the loveliest gems of Himálayan scenery — and brought his long and fatiguing journey to a close at Simla on April 10th.

Lord Canning was not, however, destined to enjoy repose. Matters were going badly in Calcutta. The new Finance Minister's projects for restoring the shattered finances of the country had not been favourably viewed. His proposal for an income tax was especially disliked. Sir Charles Trevelyan, the Governor of Madras, had raised the standard of revolt and declared against the impost. The crisis demanded the Viceroy's presence at Calcutta.