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SIR HENRY LAWRENCE

existed in the Cis-Sutlej Sikh States. There the heads of the Phulkian and other Misls and organizations had by degrees, and especially latterly under British protection, increased in status, position and power; and such men as the Rájás of Patiála and of Jind materially influenced, guided, and ruled the people. If Sir Henry could have had his way, he would have created and fostered a similar aristocracy from among the chiefs and influential men in the several Trans-Sutlej districts. But this was not to be. Lord Dalhousie would have none of it. The people were to be brought to lean only on the benefits and guidance of the Administration; and, consequently, there was to be no retention, beyond what was unavoidable, of any recognized body of men of position who could claim, or who were likely to possess, any real influence or hold over the people, except by personal weight and force of character.

But mark the results when the Mutiny broke out. On comparing the action of the Sikh community in the Cis-Sutlej States and those in the Punjab, it will be seen that the Cis-Sutlej men, under the specific guidance and orders of their chiefs, at once declared for the British, kept open the road to Delhi, furnished valuable contingents, and gave important aid throughout the siege. In the Jálandhar Doáb, also, the Kapúrthala Rájá held the district for the Government; but no other Trans-Sutlej Sikhs thus voluntarily came forward to aid the State; and when at length John Lawrence called on the Sikh chiefs of