Page:The Marquess of Dalhousie.djvu/93

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THE CONQUEST OF THE PUNJAB
85

Lahore, who being deputed by the Government to relieve, at his own request, Díwán Múlráj, Viceroy of Múltán, of the fortress and authority which he held, were attacked and wounded by the garrison, on the 19th April, 1848; and being treacherously deserted by the Sikh escort, were, on the following day, in flagrant breach of national faith and hospitality, barbarously murdered in the Idgah under the walls of Múltán.

'Thus fell these two young public servants, at the age of 25 and 28 years, full of high hopes, rare talents, and promise of future usefulness. Even in their deaths doing their country honour. Wounded and forsaken, they could offer no resistance, but hand in hand calmly awaited the onset of their assailants.

'Nobly they refused to yield, foretelling the day when thousands of Englishmen should come to avenge their death, and destroy Múlráj, his army and fortress.

'History records how this prediction was fulfilled. Borne to the grave by their victorious brother-soldiers and countrymen, they were buried with military honours, on the summit of the captured citadel, on the 26th January, 184–[1].

'The annexation of the Punjab to the British Empire was the result of the war, of which their assassination was the commencement.'

  1. 1849. Alas for the uncompleted inscriptions of our Indian memorials and tombs!