Indian Antiquary Vol 23

SR No.: 032515
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 412
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 16 MB

Page 77

MARCII, 1894.7
ANOTICE OF THE 'UMDATU'T-TAWARIKH.
his arrival at Lahor, Bunes and seroral other officers were received by Ranjit Singh, who quostioned Burnos on various snbjects as follows :
Q. - You have no doubt exerted yourself in Kabul for the best P
A. Although I imparted salutary advico to Dost Muhammad Khan with reference to his attitude towards the British and the Sikh governments, telling him that they would support his own if he kept on good terms with them, he disregarded me, saying that his government depended on predestinntion, and that he must carry it on according to his fate, and there was no profit whatever in the amity of the said two powers.
Q. - If, by the vicissitudes of time, and his own ill luck, Dost Muhammad Khân fails to heed your advice, his reign will soon come to end, and his country be trodden under foot by cavalry, as will be demonstrated by the said two governments as soon as the rainy season ceases. It is reported that the QAjárwal430 has abandoned the siege of Hirât and has departed.
A. - It is not likely that he has done so.
Q.- Are there any troops of the Shâh of Rassia with the QâjârwalA to aid him in the contest?
A. - It is quite certain that there are none, although the Russians agree with him and encourage him.
Q. - What is the strength of the army of the QAjârwald P A. - It amounts to about 60,000 cavalry and infantry. Q. - What troops has Dost Muhammad Khan ?
A. He has 12,000 cavalry and infantry, but his army is in a bad condition, unfit for war, and would be unable to offer resistance, if hostilities break out.
Q. - What sum is contained in the treasury of Dost Muhammad Khan P A.-There is not one dam in the treasury, and the revenues are spent daily as they come in. Q. - What is the amount of his artillery ?
He possesses 35 pieces of cannon, and carries four ghubdras in his suite. What kind of man is Harlan 280
He is an ungrateful scoundrel, and will be bronght to judgment by his own misdeeds. Q. - How is Peshawar governed, and what is the condition of the people ?
A. - Pêshû war has been well governed by Avitabile, and the people are grateful for his administration. Allard and Court maintain the troops in prime order. They have so improved the fort of Fatehgarh that there is no other like it in the country, and there is no change in the loyulty and devotednoss of Avitabile.
0. - It has been reported that Avitabile has committed great defalcations in the revenues of Peshawar ?
A. - The Şahibs know nothing about such reports. Q. - What kind of places are Khaibar and 'Ali Masjid P
A. - Khaibar is like a gate with a padlock on it, but the people of Khaibar are greedy of money, and will do anything for ready cash, so that the real key to the padlock is money, on the payment of which the gate becomes passable, either way, with ease.
In a subsequent conversation on the same subject, Barnes again spoke of the weakness of Dôst Muhammad Khan, and of the wise resolution of the British authorities to set up Shah
29 [The ShAh of Persia.-ED.]
[For tho doings of Dr. Harlan, 300 Cunningham's Sikha, p. 212 . -ED.)