Lehal Library

— INTRODUCTORY ix No man tells the truth or cares for justice, Telling what is untrue has become the practice in the world. With violence men commit flagrant iniquity. In the hands of tyrants there is a sharp sword. There is no Governor, Ruler, or Emperor. The country and all the people in it have been made desolate. Great confusion has fallen on the country. There is a sword in every man's hand. The purdah of shame and modesty has been lifted And all the world goes naked in the open bazaar. Thieves have become leaders of men. Harlots have become mistresses of the household. The company of devils has multiplied exceedingly. The state of the noble is pitiable. Men of menial birth flourish and the peasants are in great prosperity. The Jats have become masters of our country. Everywhere there is a new Government, i The Sikhs had become a nation and, in theory, a united nation, but in actual fact such was far from being the case. The new State was composed of a number — twelve is the usually recognized total of leagues or 'Misals'. Instead of uniting and forming a solid State, these 'Misals' were almost constantly engaged in civil war, grouping and regrouping in the struggle for preeminence. It needed a strong hand to check these internecine disputes, and, fortunately for the Punjab, Ranjit Singh appeared on the scene. The career of the one-eyed Lion of the Punjab is fully described in the text and needs but little reference at this point. The Maharaja's real career commences with his acquisition of Lahore in 1799. From that date he steadily extend* ed his sway over the whole Punjab. Many books have been written on the career of this remarkable man and upon the system of comparatively orderly government which he introduced. There exist in the Secre tariat at Lahore a number of manuscript records (accounts, muster rolls, pay sheets, &c.) of his government. These are now under examination, and it is hoped that a great deal of additional light will be thrown upon his system of government as a result. The 1 [I am indebted to Mr. C. F. Usborne, C.S., for the above translation.]