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496 tinued their flight, without interruption, to Meshid, in Persia.

On the 8th of May, 1839, Shah Sujah was solemnly enthroned. The united British army of Bengal and Bombay was drawn up in line in front of the city; and a platform being erected to answer the purpose of a musnud, the Shah proceeded to it on horseback, through a line of troops of his own contingent. When he approached the British lines, a salute of twenty-one guns was fired; and on his passing down the line there was a general salute, accompanied by the lowering of colours, in honour of his Majesty. On his ascending the throne, a salvo was discharged from a hundred and one pieces of artillery. Sir John Keane and the other principal authorities then offered nuzzurs; care being taken that the number of coins presented should in every case be an uneven one, this circumstance being an omen of good luck. Finally, the "Army of the Indus" marched round in review order in front of the throne, and thus the ceremony concluded.

At Candahar the army enjoyed a brief interval of comparative rest; but, beyond this, little cessation of its difficulties was experienced. Provisions still continued scarce, robberies were as frequent as before, and the march towards Cabul was commenced under circumstances not the most auspicious. A large convoy of grain furnished by the Lohani merchants had been brought in safety; and this would have enabled the army to march with full rations. But the Lohanis refused to accompany the army; and no means for the conveyance of the grain could be obtained. The consequence was, that this supply had to be left in Candahar; and the troops and followers were obliged to march on half rations.

By the 1st of July, the whole army had quitted Candahar; and was in full march upon Ghuznee, the celebrated capital of Mahmoud, and still esteemed by the Asiatics an impregnable fortress. The route was through the valley of Tuvnuk, and the distance about