THE MAHARAJAH OF PUTTIALLA.

Waikato Times, Volume 2507, Issue XXXI, 4 August 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE MAHARAJAH OF PUTTIALLA.

(From the Aberdeen Free Press, June 3rd, 1888.) Sir, —The account of the brilliant pageant and ceremony in celebration of the marriage of the talented young Maharajah of Puttialla, which you have quoted from the Indian papers, has a special interest for your obedient servants. I know better than the majority of your readers how to fill in the many magnificent and interesting details of the pictures outlined by the correspondents. " The Maharajah enthroned on a beautiful vehicle specially constructed, and drawn by two elephants ; Sir Dewa Sing (the Maharajah's Chief Minister) riding alongside the weddingcar, on a splendid horse richly caparisoned ; and the great procession of noblemen and State officials mounted on elephants and horses, etc. In my mind's eye I cau see the milliou brilliant rays of varied light which flash and scintillate from the diamond aigrette and other historical jewels with which the young Maharajah's noble person was decorated, and note the priceless sehra of pearls dangling from his turban as he goes in pomp and splendour to meet his bride. But, of all the excellent description you gave of the magnificent scene, the incident which touched me moat effectually was the mention of tho " regimental band of pipers, who played on their instruments music adapted for the native ear." And, sir, as I have the honour to be the founder and first instructor of that " band of pipers," perhaps you will allow an old fogey like myself to explain how my heart; " warms to the tartans" suggested by the bagpipes, even when they skirl in that far-distant spot of the north-west Provinces of India, and I hope there are still not a few of my old comrades of "Tho Sutherlands " of ray time who will read and be interested in my " scrape of tho peu." Let me say in a word that I was one of those who shared the fortunes —my old Boldierly pride bids me say tho glories—of the 93rd Highlanders in the Crimean War and the Indian Mutiny, and that I was with my corps when it formed "The Thin Red Line," and with it also at the relief and capture of Lucknow. It was after the mutiny that I crossed the patli of His Highness the Maharajah of Puttialla—not the noble youth whose wedding has just been referred to, but his father, one of the most cultured, powerful, brave, and enlightened of ludian princes, and the loyalty of whose house to the British throughout the Rebellion was as staunch and true as steel. The then Maharajah (grandfather of the present prince) sent, at his own cost, a large contingent of troops who fought by the side of the Queen's forces, and the only reward he would allow his soldiers to receive at the hands of the British was the Mutiny Medal. The first time I saw the Maharajah was when, in November, 1566, the regiment was on the long march from Sealkote to Jhansi. While passing through the Puttialla territory we halted for a day near the Royal residence. His Highness, on being made aware of our presence, sent his vakeel to invite the officers to an afternoon's entertainment, with a request that the regimental band should accompany them. The incident is recorded by Surgeon-General Munro, formerly surgeon of my old corps, in his interesting "Reminiscences of Military Service with the 93rd Sutherland Highlanders." Dr. Munro says : — "The Maharajah received us with the politeness which Oriental princes understand so well, and conversed with us in English. He paid little, if any, attention to the music of the hand, but when the twelve pipers struck up a real and strathspey his eyes sparkled. He listened with evident pleasure, and when they ceased to play, exclaimed—' Beautiful ! 7hat is the music for me. Can I get such a band? Can I buy it?' He was informed that it might be possible to pur- ' chase the discharge of one of the pipers and engage him to instruct his own men." The colonel placed the effer in my hands, and I accepted it. I had eighteen sets of bagpipes, and fix drums forwarded by Glen, of Edinburgh, and instructed natives in the une of these instruments. Some time after I had joined the Maharajah's service our band of pipers accompanied our Royal Master to the i durbar at Umballa, at which Lord Mayo, ! the Governor.General, received tha Ameer ! Shcre Ali Khan and the Maharajah's , troops chanced to be encamped near the ! honse in which Dr. Munro was living j at the time. I took the opportunity of j visiting him, aud that visit he also records in hia volume. The Maharajah wished | to dress his pipes in full Highland 1 coetnme, but I couldn't stand seeing a ■ native dressed up in a kilt, and got i trows instead. I remained nearly five years in the Maharajah's service (leaving on ' account of ill-health), and although far removed during that time from any other , Europeans. I experienced the greatest kindness and generosity from his Highness ' and all his people. I learned during my sojourn in Puttialla to form a high opinion j' of this great prince personally, and was s deeply impressed with his enlightened , efforts to promote education, sanitation, and all that tended to the health and |. physical and social wellbeing of his people. r I could not imagine that his Son, the pre- , sent Maharajah, would do other than . tread in the footsteps of his eminent [ father, and if so, he will be a benefactor of his race, and his wedding will undoubtedly be a source of happiness Should j this letter meot the eye of any old Sutherf land of my time, I doubt not that it will j recall a kindly whiff of auld lang syne, as 1 it offers mo an opportunity of saluting comrades everywhere, j Henry M'Kay, Late Pipe-Major 93rd Highlanders, j Put' i:ilI;i Cottacre, a 39 Charles Street, Aberdeen.