THE FIFTH WAR: IN THE PUNJAUB. II 



of Ibrahim Pacha. Napier distinguished himself on sea and on 

 shore. 



The bombardment and capture of the great fortress St. Jean D'Acre 

 followed, and soon afterwards Mehemet Ali accepted the terms of 

 peace, by which the Turkish fleet was given back to the Sultan, Syria 

 was evacuated by Egyptian forces, and the hereditary Government in 

 Egypt secured. 



THE FIFTH WAR: IN THE PUNJAUB 



1848. 



The War in the Punjaub, in 1848, added another page to the 

 sanguinary records of barbarous ambition, and reckless conquests by 

 England, of territory in Hindostan. 



The Sikhs are the bravest enemies that England ever encountered 

 in India, for they fight with the desperation of men inspired alike by 

 military ardour and religious fanaticism . 



The War in 1848, and subsequent annexation of the Punjaub, arose 

 from our interference in its internal affairs ; and the event which pre- 

 cipitated the struggle was the assassination of two English officers, 

 Vans Agnew and Anderson, at Mooltan, whilst on a mission from the 

 Governor-General of India to Sirdar Khan, the Governor of the city. 



During the time of Maharajah Runjeet-Singh, peace and friendship 

 prevailed between the British Government in India and the Sikhs ; 

 but when he died, and his wisdom no longer guided the counsels of 

 the State, his successor Maharajah Dhuleep-Singh, refused to recognise 

 his allegiance to the Government at Calcutta, violated every compact 

 his predecessor had entered into, repudiated the payment of the 

 annual tribute, and, casting aside the peaceful traditions of his 

 dynasty, the army of Maharajah Dhuleep-Singh, the whole of the 

 Sikh population, joined by many of the Sirdars of the Punjaub, rose 

 in arms, and waged a fierce and bloody War for the purpose of 

 emancipating themselves from the British yoke. 



At Mooltan, Ramnuggur, Ferozepore, Moodkee, and Chillian- 

 wallah, the Sikhs struggled with all the ancient prowess of their race, 

 and poured out their life-blood like water in defence of their territory 

 and independence. The great battle of Goojerat closed the greatest 



