Page:Viscount Hardinge and the Advance of the British Dominions into the Punjab.djvu/162

158 Alí Masjíd overhanging it, left, from an artistic point of view, nothing to be desired.

It cannot be denied that, from the days of Lord Wellesley, maladministration had been more or less chronic in Oudh. Successive Governors-General had placed on record their solemn words of warning — words destined to be disregarded until the last crisis arrived in 1856. One of the first acts of Lord Hardinge on his arrival in India had been to protest against the displacement of the Wazír by a mere upstart, in opposition to the declared wishes of the Resident. Friendly advice was tendered on that occasion, but it remained unheeded. The year 1847 arrived, but with it no manifest improvement. It was under such circumstances that the present visit of remonstrance was undertaken.

To illustrate the unsettled state of affairs, an incident that occurred in April of this very year may be mentioned. The city of Lucknow had been much disturbed, apparently by a bad spirit among the Hindu population directed against the Musalmán authorities, in consequence of some Hindu temples having been thrown down. The King was unpopular, and even his life was in danger. When it was least expected, an armed soldier with two or three followers forced their way into the palace, where they were immediately cut down. On the day following, the Minister was attacked by four men, who struck him to the ground and held daggers at his breast, threatening his life if any attempt were made at a rescue. A