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authorities, give a fairer estimate of the system than any single opinion could do[1].
First let us look to the frontier and Pesháwar. Capt. James writes as follows: —
'From 1800 to 1820, Pesháwar remained in a constant state of excitement and confusion, passing from one ruler to another, none of whom could exercise any real control over its wild occupants, and the hill tribes transferring their allegiance to the highest bidders... The periodical visits of the Sikhs were calamitous to the people; their approach was the signal for the removal of property and valuables, and even of the window and door-frames from the houses. Crowds of women and children fled frightened from their houses, and the country presented the appearance of an emigrating colony. As the hated host advanced they overran the neighbourhood, pillaging and destroying whatever came within their reach and laying waste the fields. There is scarce a village from the head of the valley to the Indus which has not been burnt and plundered by the Sikh Commander. His visitations were held in such awe that his name was used by mothers as a term of affright, to hush their unruly children, and at the present day, in travelling through the country, old greybeards, with many scars, point
- ↑ The Punjab Land Revenue Settlement Reports contain a vast amount of interesting information, social, fiscal, and historical, and are and will for ever remain a monument of the industry and ability of English administrative officers. Mr. Barnes' original Report on Kángra is a literary work of great merit; so is the second Report on the same district by Sir J. B. Lyall. The Pesháwar Report by Capt. James is full of valuable information. Nothing that has been done in this direction in the Punjab, or other parts of India, surpasses in living interest, philosophic deduction, industry and literary power, the Reports of some of our younger civilians such as Messrs. Purser, Thorburn, Ibbetson, Wilson, O'Brien, and others.
