Page images
PDF
EPUB

many less important provisions. And thus, this second, and in every way most important, Mahratta war was terminated, to the very great advantage of the English. Still, there was no rest for British arms. The great chief, Holkar, the victor of Poonah, it will be remembered, had taken no part in the struggles of his countrymen against their English adversaries. Indeed, there is little doubt but that he had in secret gloated over the humiliation of his old rival; and, it is certain, that he intended to profit by it; for no sooner were the English out of the field, than he invaded the dominions of Scindia, and committed many and grievous depredations therein. If, however, he had had no affection for his compatriot, he had still less for his English conquerors; and he now made no secret of his wish to measure swords with them. In all his dealings with our countrymen, he conducted himself with the most studied arrogance; and matters at length wore such a complexion, that there was no avoiding hostilities. They began somewhat unpropitiously for the English. The monsoon interfered with the movements of the troops; and Colonel Monson, who had advanced into the enemy's territory, was compelled to beat a hasty retreat.

This retrograde movement was conducted in a masterly manner; but, although disaster was averted by the skill of the commander, the moral effect was considerable; for it rallied many hitherto wavering chieftains to Holkar's standard, and inspired him with the confidence which is so often the parent of success. With an army of 80,000 men at his back, he followed his retiring enemy to Muttra, and then laid siege to Delhi. This fortress gallantly held out until relieved by General Lake, when the besiegers withdrew to the Bhurtpoor district, plundering and devastating the Doab, and committing the most unheard-of barbarities on their way. At Deeg he was brought to bay; and there suffered a signal defeat at the hands of Colonel Monson. The siege of Bhurtpoor was now unadvisedly commenced by General Lake. It was strongly fortified, and resolutely defended by an exceedingly

numerous garrison; and, moreover, a portion of Holkar's forces, whose retreat from Deeg had never been properly followed up, hovered about the lines of the besiegers and harassed them flank and rear.

Three times the assault was made; and as many times had our countrymen to retire before the desperate valour of the defenders; and when, at length, it gave signs of submission, it was because the decisive overthrow of Holkar's army by Captain Royal had cut the garrison off from all hope of relief. Lake was glad enough to listen to the overtures of the rajah of the place; for it had been found necessary to follow Holkar, whose junction with his enemy Scindia was a probable circumstance. Ghatgay had already joined, and was exerting himself in his usual crafty manner in his behalf. A treaty was therefore concluded with Holkar. The siege of Bhurtpoor was raised, and preparations made for another campaign against Scindia, Ghatgay, and the confederates. The direction of affairs, however, was left to other hands than those of the present governor-general.

Lord Wellesley had tendered his resignation so early as the year 1803. His administration had been a highly successful one in every way. He had overthrown, in Tippoo Sahib, one of the most formidable adversaries that English arms had had to contend with in India. He had brought order out of the chaotic condition of the government of Tanjore and the Carnatic; had settled the affairs of Oude; and, with a promptitude deserving of the highest credit, had despatched a British corps across the Arabian desert to co-operate with our countrymen under Abercrombie in Egypt. Beyond this, he had introduced many and important reforms into the civil administration of the country. On the other hand, he had, by his encouragement of a private Indian trade, given grave offence to the company; and their displeasure found expression in a severe vote of censure. This action of the Court of Directors and Proprietors was met by the governorgeneral in the manner referred to. It did not, however, suit the Company's purpose to lose the services of one,

who, with all his shortcomings, had greatly furthered their interests; and he was, to his manifest surprise, entreated to retain his office. So long as success attended his operations his administration was not interrupted; when, however, his ancient good fortune seemed likely to desert him, the representations of his enemies began anew to receive attention; and his supercession followed.

His successor was the veteran Lord Cornwallis, who landed at Calcutta in July 1805. He was by this time a prematurely old man, in feeble health, and his second administration lasted for a few months only. It was an unfortunate circumstance, as it put an end to those hopes of peace which his known pacific tendencies had portended. He was succeeded in office by Sir George Barlow. A treaty, set on foot by his predecessor, was concluded with Scindia; and Holkar was thus deprived of his rival's assistance. Nevertheless, he resolved to pursue the struggle without it. He had hopes of being joined by the Sikhs; but in this he was disappointed. Their chief, Runjeet Singh, however, offered his services as mediator; and an accommodation was effected by which he himself was an unexpected gainer. The Mahratta strife closes with this treaty with Holkar.

A new policy of absolute non-interference was initiated with the retirement of Lord Wellesley from the arena, the effects of which were at once apparent in the operations of Holkar, who, safe in the passive attitude of the English, ravaged the territories of those chiefs who opposed him, committed the most atrocious acts, and again assumed an attitude which was a menace to the peace of the Indian peninsula. Happily, his career was cut short by an attack of insanity, which caused him to be placed under restraint. He died in 1811, six years after the execution of the treaty which had endowed him with a despot's licence.

CHAPTER XVIII.

ADMINISTRATION OF LORD MINTO.

Mutiny and Massacre at Vellore

Arrival of Lord Minto England's Mission-The Sikhs-Treaty made with Runjeet Singh at Amritsur Mission to Persia-To the Afghan Court -The Pindarees-Insurrection of Vailoo Tumbee-Revolt of British Officers-Capture of Mauritius-Operations in Java -The Island taken from the Dutch-Close of Lord Minto's Administration.

THE administration of Sir George Barlow was but a temporary arrangement; and his term of office did not last two years. His brief reign is marked by the introduction of financial reforms, which led to a reduction of the Company's expenditure. One stirring event occurred during the period, namely, a mutiny of sepoys, which was attended with a frightful massacre of European soldiers at Vellore (1806). The revolt was speedily suppressed by Colonel Gillespie from Arcot; and the family of Tippoo, who, since the fall of Seringapatam, had been located there, was removed to Calcutta. The effect of this movement, which is supposed to have been instigated by the resident family, but which was in reality the exponent of a widespread disaffection throughout Madras, was to cause the recall of Lord Bentinck from the government of that province, Sir George Barlow being appointed in his place. Lord Minto, the appointed successor of Lord Cornwallis, arrived in 1807.

Lord Minto had been warned, like his predecessors, against an aggressive policy; his reign, nevertheless, commenced with warlike operations. The truth is, that in the present agitated condition of the peninsula, it was found impossible to maintain such an attitude. England had by this time acquired such a footing in India, as to have become not only its leading, but likewise its controlling power.

As such, she was, in a measure, respon

sible for the peace of the land, and the protection of its people against the violence of wayward and ambitious chieftains, and especially in those portions of it wherein her power was feared and respected. It was this consideration alone that could justify her title to a footing, other than a commercial one, in this eastern land; and, failing in the execution of this obligation, her duty was to withdraw from a position in which she could only appear to the eyes of civilization in the barbarous aspect

of a mere conqueror.

It is to the credit of the new governor that he recognised this fact; and in the true interests of peace, reversed his predecessor's policy by despatching an expedition against the enemies of order who had by this time made Bundelkund a theatre of anarchy and bloodshed.

Lord Minto had scarcely restored order in Bundelkund than he was called upon to face a question of great delicacy and perplexity. The people called Sikhs, once a despised Hindu race, and long the objects of Mohammedan persecution, had, in the process of years, developed into a populous and warlike nation. At this period of the history they occupied the Punjaub and the district lying to the east of it, between the Sutlej and Jumna. From being a mere aggregate of petty tribes, the Punjaub Sikhs had at length, under the benign rule of Runjeet Singh, settled down into a homogeneous nation; while their compatriots of the east, who chose to retain their pristine condition of independence, were under the protection of the English. Runjeet Singh had long had an eye upon their province, and he now threatened to force them into the confederation of which he was head. The Sikh states forthwith appealed for aid to the English. The governor would fain have guaranteed their integrity; but he was in this dilemma:-He could not well abandon faithful allies, for such these cis-Sutlej Sikhs really were; neither, on the other hand, had he any desire to offend a powerful chieftain, whose alliance, considering the aspect European affairs had assumed, might by-and-bye prove to be of inestimable value. Moreover, his instructions, as

« PreviousContinue »