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96 the Sikh, and the Persian was a long way off. Captain Burnes had that which, though not his to give, the Amír thought that it was in his power to obtain. Although Pesháwar belonged not to the East India Company but to Ranjít Singh, and had never belonged to Dost Muhammad, the Company could, if it chose, cajole or force the Sikhs into parting with it. Unless Pesháwar were placed by Lord Auckland in the hollow of Dost Muhammad's hand, it very soon became evident that Captain Burnes might retrace his steps to India. The Amír would, if desired, pay a tribute for Pesháwar to the Mahárájá. He would hold it, if need be, conjointly with his brother, its late ruler, Sultán Muhammad Khán. But if Lord Auckland desired his alliance, in one or another fashion Pesháwar must be 'conveyed' to him. It was on that account that he had addressed himself to Lord Auckland, to Persia, and the Czar. Pesháwar must be his. That was his ultimatum. There was no getting behind it. On that rock the negotiation split. Dost Muhammad Khán would not even leave the matter of Pesháwar to the friendly discretion of the Governor-General. He would make it a sine quâ non of his good understanding, whether with Ranjít Singh or Lord Auckland.

Ranjít Singh is believed to have been willing to make over Pesháwar, on terms, to Sultán Muhammad Khán, the Amír's brother, who alone had been its ruler before the Sikhs obtained possession of it. But this