CHAPTER XXXIV.
The first Punjaub War – Description of the Sikhs – They resolve to invade the British Territory – Preparations to repel the Invasion – The Sikhs cross the Sutledge – Battle of Moodkee and Defeat of the Sikhs – Death of Sir Robert Sale – Battle of Ferozeshuhr – Night Engagement – Signal Defeat of the Sikhs – Battle of Aliwal – Glorious Victory over the Sikhs at Sobraon – The British Troops cross the Sutledge – Capture of Lahore – Conclusion of the War.
The stormy events related in the preceding chapters were followed by a perfect calm, and our Eastern possessions enjoyed for some time external and internal peace; but, as the empire which is made by the sword must be maintained with the same weapon, our supremacy was at length challenged by a people with whom we had hitherto maintained the most friendly relations. These were the inhabitants of the Punjaub, or country of the five rivers, where Alexander terminated his Eastern conquests, and expressed his admiration of the martial race who had there ventured to oppose his arms.
Nor have the Sikhs, as the people are now termed, degenerated in this respect from their warlike ancestors. Superior in physical power to the natives of all other parts of India, they also greatly excel them in those soldier-like qualities that are best calculated to conquer other countries or to defend their own. To these are superadded intense bigotry and religious zeal, carefully instilled into them by their priesthood; who, by a pious fraud common to all countries, lead them to fancy themselves the "Khalsa," or chosen people of God. And when it is considered that, for many years past, the great energies and warlike talents of their leader, Runjeet Singh, had been exclusively devoted to the formation of a powerful
