Page:Viscount Hardinge and the Advance of the British Dominions into the Punjab.djvu/77

Rh Ghuláb again appeared, in a white sheet, expressing sorrow for what had taken place. He threw himself on the mercy of the Pancháyats, who in consequence of his promises of higher pay swore allegiance to him as Minister. Meanwhile, the Rání had caused Peshora Singh to be murdered at Lahore, through the agency of her favourite Lál Singh and her brother Jowahir Singh, the latter of whom was appointed Minister. But he did not long hold that office. Having been called to account by the delegates of the army for the murder of Peshora Singh, he was shot down on his elephant, after the infant Mahárájá had been torn from his side and conveyed to a place of safety. Four of Jowahir Singh's widows were burnt on the funeral pile, whilst the Rání prostrated herself before them.

The army was now divided in allegiance between Lál Singh and another Sardár named Tej Singh; while Ghuláb Singh hung back as usual, waiting on events. On the 4th of December, 1845, affairs became critical. The Rání, foreseeing that another revolution would be fatal to her, ordered the army to march to the Sutlej, which then formed the British boundary. When they asked, 'What had the English done, that their territory was to be invaded?' she replied that the whole of the English Sepoys would join them at once. Then followed the usual recriminations, with mutual accusations of treachery. But the end was at hand. In a few days the first shot had been fired, and this unprovoked aggression startled even those who had long looked upon it as inevitable.