Life of Ahmad — Page 19
as AHMAD’S as FOREFATHERS 19 mind the restoration and welfare of your family when a favourable opportunity occurs. ' The impression that the loyal and active aid rendered by the family made on the mind of General Nicholson (of whom Sir John Lawrence writes in his Mutiny Report that 'without General Nicholson, Delhi could not have fallen') may be gathered from the letter which he wrote in August, 1857, only a month before his death. It was addressed to the elder brother of the Promised Messiah as , and ran as follows: 'As you and your family have helped the Government in the suppression of the Mutiny of 1857 at Trimmu Ghat, Mir Thal, and other places with the greatest devotion and loyalty, and have proved yourselves entirely faithful to the British Government, and have also helped the Government at your own expense with 50 sowars and horses, therefore, in recognition of your loyalty and bravery this parwana is addressed to you, which please keep with yourself. The Government and its officials will always have due regard for your services and rights, and for the devotion you have shown to the Government. After the suppression of the insurgents I will look to the welfare of your family. I have also written to Mr. Nisbet, Deputy Commissioner, Gurdaspur, drawing his attention to your services. ' It should be noted here that in their early days the Qadian family could not be expected to show any