of Tej Singh. In fact, however, the outbreak seems to have been due to a purely local intrigue and not to the instigation of the Khálsa or the Sikh community or leaders. Nor could any part of the Punjab be named which was so out of touch with the Khálsa and their aspirations as Múltán. The local rabble seemed to be more involved than any particular party, and they were not Sikhs at all.
Sir F. Currie at once made the Darbár send off some of their troops towards Múltán, but Lord Gough objected to the movement of any British troops for such a business and at such a season.
The response of Lord Dalhousie to the challenge given by Mulráj was, in his minute of May 11, in these words: —
'We are fully sensible how important it is that this rebellion against the State of Lahore should forthwith be repressed, and that the insult offered and foul treachery shown to the British power should be followed by early and signal punishment. But however imminent may be the risk that, if the British troops do not now move, insurrection, apparently successful for a time at Múltán, may extend its influence over the Punjab, and may cause disturbance and revolt throughout its bounds, we yet think that the dangers which would thence arise to the British interests in India are far less than those which would be created by our being compelled to discontinue operations once begun before they had been brought to a successful termination, and by the fearful loss among the troops which is anticipated as the consequence of entering on military operations on the scale required in such a district as Múltán, at such a season of the year as this.
