From India, the news, though interesting, treats of no event
of firstrate importance. The generally disordered state of some of the disturbed provinces had grown worse since the despatch of the last mail.
An action is recorded in Scinde, in which the British suffered some loss, though they were successful in the issue. On the 20th February, a party under Colonel Wilson attacked a fort occupied by some refractory Kajuks, who refused to pay tribute to Shah Soojah. The British were repulsed : Lieutenant Falconer and Lieutenant Creed were killed on the spot, Colonel Wilson was mortally wounded, and fifty Sepoys were killed. Lieutenant Shaw was also severely wounded. The enemy evacuated the fort in the night.
An engagement had also taken place between the troops of the Bengal establishment, composing Colonel Shelton's brigade, and a tribe of the Khyberries, in which the latter were defeated. The particulars of this affair had not transpired ; but there is no doubt of two European officers having been killed—Captain Douglas by a stray shot, and Lieutenant Pigou, of the Bengal Engineers, from the accidental explosion of some gunpowder.
More troops were on the way to Seinde, but still more were required ; and it is asked, "Whence are they to come."
Herat is again the scene of treachery. It is said that Kamran Shah, instigated by his Vizier, Yar Mahomed, had been intriguing with Persia, in order to procure an invasion of Herat by that power, to expel the British. It was at first reported that Persian forces were approaching the frontier ; hut that turns out to be incorrect. Major Todd, the Political Agent, however, was alarmed, and retreated to Ghirisk ; whence he carried on negotiations with Yar Mahomed. That proceeding had excited Lord Auckland's displeasure ; and Major Todd had been removed from his post, and ordered to join his regiment.
Some accounts represent Shah Soojah as implicated in the intrigues with Persia : letters of his, it is said, have been intercepted, and prove the fact against him. On the other hand, it was reported that the Persians, who already had emissaries in disguise among the Murree and other tribes of Beloochistan, intended to dethrone Shah Soojah.
The British authorities, in the midst of all the turmoil, do not neglect making preparations for the future. Attock will, it is said, be speedily fortified, and also the mountain-passes of Kyher, the Bolan, and Gundawa.
Lahore presents a scene of increased confusion. Shere Singe continues to be the nominal head of the disordered kingdom of the Punjaub. A number of his best troops having mutinied, he has dismissed them, and raised new levies. The disbanded soldiers will in all probability be retained by the discontented chiefs, and thus prove more formidable
enemies than before. Ranee Chnnd %our, the great opponent of the present Rajah, has been severely wounded in attempting to save her paramour ; who was murdered before her face by a band of disorderly soldiers. Large bodies of British troops have been ordered to hold themselves in readiness; and Lord Auckland is evidently preparing to interpose. The Punjanb, says one writer, "would be a most valuable possession to the British Government."
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