The actual state of affairs, above referred to, was briefly this:--The young Maharajah, known as “Ali Jah Jyajee Scindia,” owed his selection to the widow of the deceased monarch of the same name, who died childless, she a girl aged thirteen, named Tara Bye. To the post of Regent, Mama Sahib, an uncle of the deceased monarch, was acknowledged by Lord Ellenborough through the Resident, against the wishes of the Maharanee; Dada Khasjee, steward of the Household, by the Maharanee. Thereupon, the Resident was ordered by His Excellency to quit Gwalior, and the Dada prepared his troops to oppose forces of the Company, if sent against him; hence the campaign now about to take place. In the Punjab, conditions were at the same time most serious, giving rise to expectations of armed intervention there. For example:--On the 15th of September, 1843, was perpetrated the double murder of the Maharajah Shere Singh[30] and his son Pertab, at the northern gate of Lahore, the conspiracy which led up to that deed having been formed by Dyhan Singh.[31] Next day Ajeet Singh, by whose hand the crime was committed, together with his followers, were attacked and put to death by Heera Singh, son of the deceased vizier, and his party. For a time a state of anarchy, with its attendant slaughter and rapine, prevailed within the capital. These having run their course, Dhuleep Singh, only surviving son of Runjeet, was placed upon the throne of his father, Heera Singh making himself vizier. Meanwhile, the Sikh or Khalasa army had become formidable under Lal Singh, a favourite of the Ranee;[32] as an outcome of a conspiracy among them, Heera was murdered, his place taken by Lal.[33] Nothing could then restrain their ardour but an expedition into British territory, for which it was well understood that preparations were in progress. The proceedings thus alluded to supplied ample subject for comment in the papers, and talk at social gatherings. CHAPTER IV _1843-1844. CAMPAIGN IN GWALIOR. HURDWAR_ 16th Lancers--Delhi--The city--Kutub--Feroze’s Lath--Divers-- Muttra--Affairs in Gwalior--Army of Exercise--Halt--City of Krishna--River Chumbul--Across--Sehoree--Before the battle-- Battle of Maharajpore--The 16th--“The Brigadier”--Search for wounded--General Churchill--Lieutenant Cavanagh--The muster-roll-- Next night--The killed and wounded--Resume the advance--News of Punniar--Queen Regent--Around our camp--Gwalior--The fort-- Disarming the conquered--Breaking up--Repassing the field of battle--Meerut--The welcome--Writing to the papers--Native troops-- Hurdwar--Religious festival--The Dhoon--Return--Batta--A native regiment disbanded--Unrest in Punjab--Rejoin the Buffs.