Page:The People of India — a series of photographic illustrations, with descriptive letterpress, of the races and tribes of Hindustan Vol 6.djvu/19

INTRODUCTORY SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF SIND. On the 4th December the new treaty was formally delivered to the Ameers of Upper Sind, and on the 5th to those of Lower Sind; but while they appeared willing to accept its provisions, they were assembilng retainers and feudatories, inviting others, raising money, and, in short, preparing for war. The sequel may be foreseen. On the one hand a stern English general, prepared to exact the hardest terms, and who would brook no control for a day; on the other, the common Oriental duplicity with rancour at heart, and the violent and turbulent Beloch tribes, hitherto never checked, thirsting, on religious as well as political grounds, for combat with "the infidel English." Before the treaty was signed by any of the Ameers, Sir Charles Napier had taken possession of the districts for whose cession the treaty provided, and was marching on Hyderabad. On the 12th February, 1843, the treaty was signed by the Ameers of Lower Sind, in presence of Major Outram; but he had no hope that it would be observed or war avoided, and the continued march of Sir Charles Napier, who wrote that he would not stop, gave, as it were, the last impetus to the violence of the Belochees. The British residency at Hyderabad was attacked by a large body of them on the 15th, and Major Outram and its garrison, who had bravely defended it, were obliged to withdraw. On the 17th, as Napier's army was on its march, the Ameers' forces were discovered strongly posted at Meeanee to cover the capital, and drawn up in order of battle. They were variously estimated to have been from 30,000 to 40,000 men with fifteen guns, brave, and confident of victory. To oppose them there were barely 2,400 British troops in all, with only one English regiment, the 22nd foot; and, leaving; a strong guard for the baggage and stores, the battle which ensued was fought with less than 2,000 men and twelve guns. It was a fierce contest, one of the very fiercest that had ever been fought by British troops in India, for the Belochees were men of high valour; but discipline prevailed over numbers, and when the action ceased the Belochees had left 6,000 men dead on the field—for no quarter was asked or given—of whom 1,000 were counted in the dry bed of the water-course which had protected their position. On the side of the British there were 250 rank and file killed and wounded.

Early the next morning—for the action had continued most part of the day—Sir Charles Napier wrote to the Ameers that he would storm Hyderabad if it were not surrendered; and by noon six of the Ameers presented themselves in his camp, and gave up their wvords, and with them the treasures of their kingdom. One of the Ameers, however, Shere Mahomed, was by no means disposed to relinquish the contest. All the money, jewels, and property of the state had fallen into Sir Charles Napier's hands; but the Belochees were still faithful and unbroken, and burning to avenge their defeat. On the 24th March, Napier and Shere Mahomed met at Dubha. Napier on this occasion had 5,000 men and nineteen guns, Shere Mahomed about 25,000 men with fifteen guns. The result was the