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and defences, with an enemy's frigate, the Caroline, and ultimately retakes two Indiamen, with a part of their valuable cargoes-troops afterwards re-embarked, but relanded on a demonstration of an attack by a new body of the enemy-the public works destroyed, and stores quietly removed under a capitulation to that effect-expedition returns to Rodriguez-capture of the Indiamen Streatham, Europe, Charlton, and United Kingdom Asia founders in the Kooghley-loss of the Ardaseer by fire-numerous captures by the pirates and by the enemy in the Persian gulf-some particulars attending the capture of the Indiamen-conclusion of the detail of occurrences in Bengal and Bombay.

In the year, now coming under review, the public were taught, by official pron.ises and prognostications, in every possible form, to anticipate a period of profound peace; while they, more immediately interested in the welfare of British India, had reason to expect some remission of expense, and a seasonable recruit of the exhausted finances of an almost inexhaustible dominion. But there is a feverish condition of things, not absolutely partaking of the character of war, that may involve and waste the resources of a state as effectually as that determined and positive evil, and without any of those brilliant events, that reconcile it to individual ambition or national pride. Such may not improperly be considered that state, in which our eastern possessions recently stood.

In selecting the events worthy of historical notice, which have occurred during the period comprised in this volume, the attention is first attracted by military transactions. The work of destruction has, by a strange perverseness, so long occupied the first place in human estimation, that precedence is granted to it as a matter almost of course. But how different the military transactions of the present times, when compared with the wars of former, but not distant periods, in which we contended at once for empire and for existence.

The enterprizes and actions of the present time appear much of the same description as those of the early times of our Indian achievements, but far different in their circumstances and magnitude. In those times, with forces few in number, but generally comprizing the whole or the greater part of our military power, we fought in stations not distant from the coast, with a valor unparalleled in its charac

ter and in its consequences, for the maintenance of the precarious footing from which the present vast territory, population, revenue, and trade, have been ultimately attained. Now we fight far in the interior, at stations to which the founders of our original settlement never thought of penetrating, even in commercial expeditions, to repress the insurrections of subjugated Chieftains, or repel the incursions of predatory borderers upon the frontiers of the vast peninsula, the whole of which recognizes our sway, either in direct sovereignty, or under the qualified form of protecting alliance.

Thus the importance, perhaps, of the military operations which are about to be related, should not be estimated by the numerical amount of the forces engaged, nor by the extent of territory actually acquired: but by the dangers which would have resulted to the British dominions in India if these last struggles of indigenous hostility had not been successfully resisted.

Such are the reflections that most promptly present themselves on such comparison of the early stages and progress of British power in India, with the more recent periods where we had to contend with and for all the strength and resources of the vast territory we now possess under the guidance of a Hastings, a Cornwallis, and a Wellesley, against those formidable potentates Hyder Ali, Tippoo Saib, Jeswunt Rao Holkar, and Dowlut Rao Scindia.

After these preliminary observations, we may proceed to make use of the slight and scanty materials which the local publications furnish for the current history of an empire, now as important to Britain as the oldest and nearest of her colonies.

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Of the expeditions fitted out from the three presidencies of Bengal, Madras, and Bombay, those from the first and the last do not appear to possess the extent and importance attached to regular war, though they gave rise to many particular exploits worthy of record. The expeditions from Bengal were, in the first place, directed against the chieftain of Adjyghur Lutchmun Dowah, in the province of Bundlecund; under the command of lieutenant-colonel Martindell. The object of this enterprize was, (for what provocation is not explained, but for what object and intent is sufficiently obvious) to expel the chief from his dominions. With a view to this end, the operations of colonel Martindell commenced against the fortified hill of Regowley. This post, forming a most important defence of the fortress of Adjyghur, was most gallantly attacked, and carried by assault on the 22d January.

The force with which the enemy occupied the hill, consisted of 500 chosen men, under the command of Sirdar Sing, Kass Kullam, and Ajadeo Purshaud, a near relative to Lutchmun Dowah, regarded as the bravest and most attached of his adherents. The British camp was about two miles from the hill which lay a little to the right of the way from the camp to Adjyghur. Colonel Martindell, and Major Grant, took the command of the troops destined for the enterprize, and proceeded to the attack a little after noon. The enemy, sheltered behind rocks and breastworks, added to the strength of their position a resistance dictated by despair. But the persevering valour of our troops pre, vailed, and the enemy were driven from the post with the loss of 60 killed, and about 160 wounded. Three British officers only were wounded, 28 rank and file killed, and 126 wounded. The assailing force consisted of the 18th regt. 4th light infantry batt. 2d batt. 1st Native infantry, and 3d regiment Native cavalry. The Native troops and officers distinguished themselves so as to merit the marked approbation of the command

ing officer; and the promptitude with which the whole of the troops proceeded to the attack, the persevering toil with which they encountered all obstacles, the intrepidity with which they ascended the bill under a most galling fire, and the steady courage they displayed in the assault of a position so strong, and so obstinately defended, were all distinctly noticed in general orders, issued by the commander, as circumstances calling for "the most unqualified admiration and praise."

From the nature of the ground, the cavalry could not take any part in the action; but it did considerable service by covering the assailing force, Among the killed was the chief Sirdar Adjudeo Purshaud, and twenty other sirdars of inferior note.

The hill of Behontah, which commands the fortress of Adjyghur, was, with a like vigorous effort, afterwards carried by storm. The capture of this post enabled Colonel Martindell to form the siege of the fortress without interruption. Accordingly, having on the 9th of February offered terms which were rejected, he caused batteries to be formed on the summit, and in different places on the sides of the hill, whither the guns were dragged with great labour, but with such zeal and dispatch, that the whole were ready to open on the 11th, and so well directed a fire was kept p, that on the 13th three of the gates, with their defences, were laid in ruins, and there was a probability that the upper gate, against which the fire was then principally directed, would soon be in the same condition. Lutchmun now signified his readiness to accept the terms rejected on the 9th,-a capitulation was entered into, according to which the fortress was surrendered, and ceded to the company in consideration of a jagheer, or indemnity, as it is called in European diplomacy, to be assigned to him in some other quarter. Lutchmun and his garrison withdrew.

The judgment and military skill of Colonel Martindell in effecting this service, as well as the courage and

exertions of the detachment he commanded, deserved, and obtained the highest testimony of approbation from the governor-general in council.

When the British first entered the fort, they were particularly struck with the objects that presented themselves. Here were seen three large reservoirs, of very fine fresh water, cut with wonderful labour out of a solid rock there the ruins of three most magnificent Hindoo temples, built of stones, laid without cement, but most nicely fitted to each other, and adorned within and without with sculpture of chaste design, and the most exquisite workmanship.

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The era of the erection of these venerable buildings is lost in antiquity -but they are evidently much older than the fortress, which was built by an ancient rajah, called Ajygopaul, and after him called Adjyghur; the latter adjunct signifying a fortress."

Ajygopaul himself lived beyond the reach of any known record. The temples have two large tables with inscriptions; but the language and characters are unknown. The letters are in relief, the stone being cut away from them according to the frequent custom of antiquity.

At a remote period Adjyghur was reduced, after a siege of ten months, by famine, the only means by which it could be taken before artillery was introduced Alie Behauder who took it, in conjunction with Himmat Behauder, defeated the Boondelahs close to the town, and slew their chief, Lui Arjun Sing, a famous warrior, who is the theme of many national songs.

In our own times, Shumshir Behauder confined in this fort his cousin, Gunnee Behauder, who, after the British forces defeated Shumshir at Rospah, on the 12th of October, 1803, was poisoned by the Mabratta kiledar, in consequence of an order from Shumshir.

This kiledar subsequently sold the fort to Lutchmun Dowah for 15000 rupees; but from some valuable jewels, and particularly a diamond necklace, formerly the property of Gunnee Behauder, seen in the pos

session of Lutchmun, it is probable, that he more than repaid himself the expense of his purchase by plundering the Mahrattas when they marched out.

A spring, situated on the north side of the Bihontah hill, and within the defences of the lowest of the gates of Adjyghur, of which there are five, produces a fine stream of water, and is asserted, by the Biraggies, to be the source of the Jumna and the Ganges; but the Biraggies of a neighbouring hill of stupendous height, called Dio Gong, dispute that honour for a spring in their region.

Adjyghur is about five miles distant from the foot of the Paunah Ghauts, and fourteen from Callingu. The country altogether is the strongest in the world-every hill is a fortress, and all, from their great height and steepness, extremely difficult of access. From this description it may be inferred of how much importance it was to dispossess a bold chieftain of a fortress of such strength, and in a country so difficult.

A horrid transaction which took place at Adjyghur, a few months subsequent to its surrender, serves strongly to mark the extraordinary character of the native people, and to evince the firmness of their invincible prejudices.

About the commencement of the month of June, 1809, Lutchmun Dowah suddenly disappeared from the place of his residence near that fortress; and no traces of him being found for several days after, apprehensions were entertained that he had gone off in pursuance of some hostile design. As a security against any enterprize of this kind, the representative of the government in the province of Bundlecund, sent instructions to major Cuppage, commanding in Adjyghur, to place in safe custody Lutchmun's family, left behind in the village of Tirawaney, just under the fort. party was accordingly sent to the house for this purpose, and a few males were removed to the fort. An old man, the father-in-law of Lutchmun, was the only male left behind, and he was directed to prepare the women and children for their remo

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val. Having entered the apartment of the women, in conformity with the instruction, the door was closed on him; and after he had remained a considerable time within, those in waiting proposed to open it and quicken his proceedings; but the door was found firmly fastened, and though repeated calls were made, no answer was given, no sound was heard. Upon this attempts were made to force open the door, but without success. It was then thought right to uncover a part of the roof, and a man was let down through the aperture, who opened the door. Upon the entrance of the party, a most tragical sight presented itself. The entire family, including the women, children, and the old man himself, were found weltering in their blood! It appeared that the old man had first cut the throats of the women and children, and afterwards his own; and from the perfect quiet and silence with which the slaughter was executed, it could not otherwise have been done than with the consent of all. The women themselves must have supplied the instrument of death, (a talwar) for the old man was perfectly unprovided with any when he entered. From these circumstances it was at first conjectured that Lutchmun, previous to his departure on his presumed enterprize, had given in structions to put these unfortunate persons to death, in order to save them from the pollution which, according to the Hindoo doctrine, is necessarily consequent upon their falling into the power of an European enemy. It was inferred also that the women, from a principle of pride and faith, which imposed the sacrifice upon them as a duty, had submitted to the order, according to their custom in such cases, with promptitude and cheerfulness.

A nephew of Lutchmun, who was brought into the fort, also attempted suicide; but the accomplishment of his object was prevented, thoughnot till he had given himself a severe wound. The most lamentable part of this shocking relation still remains to be told; all these tragic deeds, and the calculations and reasonings, thus connected with

them, were soon proved to have their foundation in error.-For Lutchmun Dowah, far from absconding for any hostile purpose, had merely repaired in private to Calcutta, with the intention of complaining to the supreme government of some harsh treatment, which he conceived that he had suffered ; and there is every reason to think, that he was entirely ignorant of the dreadful stroke, till it was communicated to him, on his arrival at the seat of government! The only measure of reparation, in the sad consequences of his disappearance, which it was in the power of the government to make, was the immediate liberation of that part of his family which was still kept in custody. Lutchmun himself, after the surrender of Adjyghur, had taken up his residence at Bandah, under the protection of the British government, receiving a liberal maintenance, till a convenient jahghire could be allotted to him, conformably to the terms agreed upon, in lieu of the possessions ceded to the company by the previous capitulation. His departure from Bandah without any notice or explanation, and the measure of common precaution adopted in consequence, involved him in calamities as lamentable as unforeseen.

From the private interest excited by this sad catastrophe, the mind is glad to relieve itself by the contemplation of a public and more general scene. The next and important expedition in Bengal had the district of Sirhind, inhabited by the Seiks, for the theatre of operations, situated between the provinces of Delhi and Lahor, and separated from Cashmire by the mountains.

There was not in this case, any more than in the preceding, a formal declaration of war,-nor any very observable cause of hostility; though it would appear from the terms and quality of the peace, which succeeded, that it had been undertaken at the request of some neigbouring chieftains, under the protection of the British government. But definitive treaties, and more espe cially in India, though they afford very satisfactory evidence of the ultimate state of things, are not always the

purest sources to which we may look for genuine information of the causes that led to it. But from the force that was employed, as well as from the regular treaty with which the history of the expedition closes, there is reason to infer that Runjeit was a prince of high and established authority, as well as of great power.

The forces employed on this expedition were commanded by general St. Leger, and under him by colonel Ochterlony. The troops acted in two seperate bodies. The first and principal body, under general St. Leger, consisted of his majesty's 24th regiment of light dragoons, the 17th regiment of foot, the 6th and 8th regiments of Native cavalry, the second and third light infantry battalions; and a strong detachment both of heavy and light artillery. The division under colonel Ochterlony, consisted of the 4th regiment of Native cavalry, 1st battalion of the 10th, 1st battalion of the 23d, and 1st battalion of the 27th Native infantry. Colonel Ochterlony's division took post on the 11th February at Loodehannah; and general St. Leger's corps was stationed about eigh icen mes eastward of that place. Whether the magnitude of the force 1 against him terrified Runjeit into concession, or that he yielded tial reflection, or from the influence of an event, about to be described, is difficult to be decided. b Crever ay have been his mothe, he greed, without conflict, to the terms proposed to him, and relinguished his claims to the chi's who had solicited the compaI protection. At the time when the proposal was made for the adjustment differences, the forces on both

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ther it be attributed to politeness towards the British commanders, with whom he was in treaty; or to a general condemnation of the system of Buonaparte, was felt equally agreeable. As a preliminary step to the proposed pacific arrangement, the forts of Keire and Feride Koti, on the left bank of the Sutledge, were demanded of Runjeit Sing, and were immediately given up and taken into possession by British troops about the middle of March. On our side preparations were made for withdrawing the army, with the exception of a corps of eight thousand men, which was to remain in Ludehauna under colonel Ochterlony.

Mr. Metcalfe, the British negotiator, met Runjeit at Imrutsir, and the ceremonious exchange of visits having been immediately made, the treaty was expedited with equal promptitude. The provinces subject to the chiefs of Suhrund and Malwa were by this treatyceded to the English company by Runjeit; and, by a subsequent article, these chiefs were restored to the exercise of their former independent authority, exempted from tribute, and all other vexatious impositions. The advantages stipulated for the company, were a free passage for British merchants and their goods, the liberty of purchasing stores for the use of the army, and certain facilities in procuring forage and provisions in the event of the protecting forces being called again into this country.

By the 4th of April, the stipulations agreed upon were completed, with the formal delivery of such other forts and grounds, as were required of Runjeit Sing, in addition to the two forts already mentioned. These forts and 'territories, it was at first supposed, would be permanently garrisoned by British troops, under cover of some of those pretexts in the invention of which ambition is so fertile, but with a moderation, and a sense of justice of which it is to be lamented there are so few examples, it was declared, that the inten ion of holding them had never been entertained, that they had been forcibly seized by Runjeit Sing, and that the object of dispossessing that

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