Note 26 — HISTORICAL RECORD (continued 2)

General Avitabile, one of the military instructors of the Sikhs, was a native of Italy, and at the conclusion of Napoleon’s bright, but evanescent career, sought employment in the East. He was handsomely rewarded by the Sovereign of the Punjaub, Runjeet Singh, together with another Italian officer, named Ventura, and two Frenchmen, Allard and Court, for introducing European tactics into the Sikh army. Runjeet Singh also conferred the governorship of Peshawur upon General Avitabile, and by his vigorous administration it was reduced from a state of anarchy to one of comparative security. Peshawur signifies “advanced post,” that name having been conferred upon it by its founder, the Mogul Emperor Akbar, in consequence of its being the frontier town of India towards Affghanistan.

Runjeet Singh died in 1839, and his son and successor, Kurruck Singh, being of weak intellect, was shortly afterwards deposed, when his son, Noo Nehal Singh, assumed the reins of Government. His death, which occurred in returning from his father’s funeral, caused the throne to be again vacant, and the crown was bestowed on Prince Shere Singh, a twin-son of Runjeet Singh. Shere Singh was a firm friend to the English, and by his interference Major-General Pollock was permitted to proceed with his army through the Punjaub to Cabool in 1842, although the Sikh Sirdars were disposed to attack the British troops.