The Mahratta chiefs were presumptuous enough to continue opposing and harassing the English, until such time as the most exalted General Lake, by his prudent strokes of policy, and every sort of kindness and regard, gained over Ranjít Singh to espouse the interests of the British. He restored to Ranjít Singh the forts of Díg and Kishangarh, and then made prepara­tions for the expulsion of the Mahrattas. Ranjít Singh enjoyed a high name in every direction of the world by his attachment to the English. He died in the latter part of the year 1220 A.H. (1806 A.D.), leaving his name immortal in the pages of history.

The English Company.

The Company, or the English merchants, sent their agents in ships laden with the productions of Europe for sale, and also with money in cash to purchase goods in Hindústán. They commenced their business in this country in the time of the Emperor Núru-d dín Jahángír, and obtained from him several houses for the residence of their agents in the port of Surat. Afterwards, by the Emperor's orders, they took several places from the Portuguese. Gradually they established their factories in Bombay, Madras, and other maritime places in Hindústán.

In the reign of Muhammad Aurangzeb 'Álamgír, they ob­tained permission to build a factory in Bengal, and thus they laid the foundation of the city of Calcutta. As long as the rulers of India did not molest them, the agents of the Company paid taxes into the royal treasury, like other merchants; but when they were oppressed by Chandá Sáhib, governor of Arcot, and Siráju-d daula, grandson of Mahábat Jang 'Alíwardí Khán, ruler of Bengal, they submitted their complaints to their King, and being reinforced by a royal army, they took possession of Arcot and Calcutta. By degrees they established their dominion in Bengal and Bihár. By the assistance of Almighty God, and their good fortune, and through the aid of their armies, they achieved, as has been before mentioned in this brief narrative, repeated victories over Shujá'u-d daula, and with great magnani­mity and generosity restored the country to him which they had conquered. But as a measure of precaution, they placed a division of the English army on the frontier of his possessions, the pay of which was to be paid by him, and an intelligent and wise English officer was also appointed to remain with him.

After his death, the English received the districts of Benares, Jaunpúr, Gházípúr, and Chunár, from Ásafu-d daula, in con­sideration of his being confirmed in the masnad, and these places were annexed to the Company's possessions. When Ásafu-d daula expired, after the quelling of the disturbances raised by Wazír 'Alí Khán, and the accession of Nawáb Sa'ádat 'Alí Khán to the masnad, one-half of the Oudh territory was ceded to the Company.

In the end of the year 1217 A.H. (1802 A.D.), Mádhú Ráo left this perishable world, and Bájí Ráo, son of Raghunáth Ráo, succeeded him. Having been defeated by Jaswant Ráo Holkar, in consequence of his minister's defection, he requested assistance from the Lord Marquis, the Governor-General, who sent his brother, General Wellesley, at the head of a formidable army for his succour. Having thus recovered the government of Púna, he was again established firmly upon the masnad. Daulat Ráo Sindhia, Jaswant Ráo Holkar, and Raghújí Ghoslá,* the Mahratta chiefs, having combined together, prepared to fight with the English army. The Governor-General, seeing them hostilely disposed, ordered General Wellesley and other officers at different stations, in 1803 A.D., corresponding with 1218 A.H., to extinguish the fire of their opposition, and wrest from them the forts and the cities which they had conquered. He also sent large supplies of treasure in all directions, and, as has been men­tioned in this work in the history of the Mahrattas, the English forces were everywhere victorious, and all the territory and forts of these rebels fell into the hands of the British warriors. Daulat Ráo, Raghújí Ghoslá, and other chiefs sued for peace, which they obtained, and enjoyed tranquillity and ease. Accord­ing to the Governor-General's orders, some of the conquered cities and forts were restored to them. Jaswant Ráo Holkar, however, continued still to be refractory, and having left the Dakhin, he now kindled the fire of rebellion in Hindústán.

In those days also Ranjít Singh Ját revolted, and began to betray insubordination and insolence. Many English were slain in fighting with him, and on all sides round their camp the forces of Jaswant Ráo commenced plundering. General Lake with great valour and prudence did not move his foot from the field of firmness and perseverance, and with great kindness and favour having restored the forts of Díg, Kishangarh, etc., to Ranjít Singh, and made an alliance with him, directed his whole efforts to the expulsion of Jaswant Ráo, who, in his extreme prudence, always took care to keep himself at a distance from the English artillery, and fought after the Mahratta fashion. He proceeded to the territory of the Panjáb, where the brave General also boldly pursued him to the environs of Láhore.

In the mean time, the Governor-General, the Lord Marquis, having been removed from his office, returned home, and the honourable, the great and noble Lord Cornwallis, the new Gov­ernor-General, the praise of whose excellent character and good conduct is beyond the extent of imagination, and in whose time and by whose sagacity and wisdom the conquest over Típú Sultán was achieved, came from the east towards the western part of the country with the intention of quelling the dis­turbances and tumults which the Mahrattas had raised. But on the 5th of the month of Rajab, 1220 A.H., corresponding with the 10th of October, 1805 A.D., he died of some disease in the vicinity of Gházípúr; and all the English officers, as well as other people of all ranks, were much overwhelmed by sorrow at his death.

General Lake, according to the orders of the Government, purchased peace from Jaswant Ráo Holkar, at the expense of some treasure and the restoration of the conquered territory to him, which belonged to the Rájpútána states; after this, the General returned from the territory of the Panjáb to Dehlí.

In these days, the end of the year 1220 A.H., and the close of the forty-eighth year of Sháh 'Álam Bádsháh's reign (may his dominion and sovereignty be prolonged to eternity!) Mahárája Holkar came from the Panjáb to Rájpútána, and there having raised the standard of triumph and success, established his rule, and is now engaged in exacting contributions from the Rájas and Ráís of that territory. The English retained the districts of Dehlí and Ágra in their own possession. General Lake triumphantly proceeded from the capital to the eastern part of the country, and Mr. Barlow having been appointed to officiate in place of the Governor-General, took the management of the Government affairs into his hands.

In short, all the chiefs and proud rulers of Hindústán, whose heads touched the heavens, and who from their dignity and pomp claimed equality with Saturn, now having considered their safety to lie in repentance and obedience, could not raise their heads from their knees out of respect to this powerful people, and all the rebellious and turbulent characters who always scratched the head of pride and vanity with the nails of tumult and quarrel, put the cap of their obstinacy upon the ground of sub­mission, and did not place their foot beyond the bounds of respect to this body of wise men, who, from their great humanity and liberality, have subdued every one of their enemies. Whoever sought their protection was much honoured, respected, and treated with great kindness, and they fixed an allowance for his mainten­ance. Notwithstanding that the English are few in number, yet, by their prudent measures and superior wisdom and understand­ing, they have introduced such management into the countries conquered by them as never was known in the days of any ancient rulers, although they possessed much greater power and more numerous armies.

For the comfort of their subjects and tranquillity of all the people they have established courts in all their cities and towns, so that, in fact, in apprehension of their equity and justice, the wolf and the lion live in the same den with the goat and the deer; and the wagtail and sparrow sit in the same nest with the falcon and hawk. The powerful fly before the weak, and robbers and highwaymen show the way to benighted travellers. All enjoy rest under their protection, and all are comforted by their justice. If a brief account of the rules and regulations which are made by these great people for the administration of justice were given, it would much lengthen this work. The judges, at the time of hearing complaints, look on all, poor and rich, respectable and mean, with an impartial eye, and punish them according to the law, in proportion to the atrocity of their deeds, so that others may take warning from them, and avoid to commit crime. May Almighty God preserve the shadow of their favour and kindness over the heads of all people, as long as the world exists!