of British Representative at Cairo, amid the universal regret
of the Indian people.
In 1882, a contingent of Indian Native troops was sent to take part with the British forces in the successful occupation of Egypt. They displayed conspicuous powers of endurance in the campaign, and of gallantry in the field. A chosen band of the Indian officers and men were afterwards sent to England, and received an enthusiastic welcome from all classes of the people. Early in his rule Lord Ripon had re-established the Department of Agriculture; and he took measures to guard the country against famine. In 1884 he deputed officers to England, to give evidence before the Parliamentary Committee, with a view to the extension of Indian railways. Lord Ripon retired at the end of 1884. Some of his measures for the promotion of local self-government, and especially his proposal to give to the higher class of Native judges a larger amount of jurisdiction in the case of offences committed by British-born subjects, were considered by the European community to be unsuited to the actual condition of India. But whether or not in advance of the time, it is now realized that they point out the directions in which progress must sooner or later take place. Lord Ripon loved the people, and was greatly beloved by them.
Marquess of Dufferin, 1884-88.—The Earl of Dufferin succeeded as Viceroy, 1884. In the spring of 1885, Lord Dufferin held a magnificent Darbár at Ráwal Pindi for the reception of the Amír of Afghánistán, and strengthened our friendly relations with that ruler. In the summer, a war with Russia seemed imminent, and the Native States came forward with loyal offers of their armies and resources to the British government. Towards the end of 1885 the persistent misconduct of King Thebau in Upper Burma, his ill-treatment of British subjects, and his rejection of all conciliatory offers, led to an army being sent against him, under General Preridergast. The King was dethroned and removed to India. On the 1st January, 1886, his territories were annexed, and soon afterwards were constituted a British province together with Lower Burma under a Chief Commissioner. Early in 1886, also, a great camp of exercise was held on the memorable battle-plain of Panipat
