Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: 86 CHAP. VI. FROM UMBALLA TO LOODIANAH, THROUGH THE PROTECTED SIKH STATES. On the evening of a bright day in April we commenced our march towards Sirhind, and arrived there early the following morning. Our tent was pitched under a grove of beautiful trees, and some pleasant hours were passed in exploring the fine ruins in the neighbourhood. The country around Sirhind is very pretty, and well cultivated. A pundit was brought to the tent in the evening, who examined the lines of destiny on the palms of our hands with the greatest solemnity ; predicted an accession of rank, wealth, and honour; mingled a due portion of clouds with sunshine; and, after gazing intently on a mysterious and dimly visible line on the thumb, pronounced the writer of this journal a very grave thinker, with a profound love of all serious subjects and pursuits. One shadow has already fallen as predicted, and succeeding years will re- UMBALLA TO LOODIANAH. 87 veal how far the gift of second sight was possessed by this ebony seer. The next halting-place in our march bore the melodious name of Kunha he Serai, where there is a travellers' bungalow, possessing the usual amount of luxurious furniture and extensive accommodation. The morning air was fresh and exhilarating, and our early walk delightful On the fourth day's journey we reached Loodianah, our ultimate destination. Hamilton thus describes the origin of Loodianah as a military station : — " In consequence of the extension of the British possessions, in 1803, to the banks of the Sutlej, the line of defence against the Sikhs became much narrowed, and Lord Lake foretold that a small corps well-stationed in that quarter would effectually protect the Doab and adjoining provinces, against the incursions of that tribe. Loodianah was accord...