The Message or A Cry of Anguish — Page 89
THE MESSAGE OR A CRY OF ANGUISH 89 calamities we [erstwhile] faced during Sikh rule. Our attachment to the homeland did us no good and we were exiled from our land and our ancestors were left homeless, for they were coerced and forcibly separated from their age-fellows. So they took leave of the capital of their state and of all the villages belonging to them. They sped away on the mounts of the night and traversed barren lands on their way. They forsook peace and happiness and weakened their well-bred horses of little hair by running them incessantly. They travelled on day and night until they entered into the safety of a state that took upon itself to protect them. So their sense of apprehension and danger was dispelled after a long time and they finally saw the buds and blooms of peace after so many sorrows. Then the sun of the British Government rose upon them and the blessings of the Gracious God began to rain down upon them. Thus, we donned the garment of peace after such horrific days and became happy and prosperous. Therefore, we along with our fore- fathers returned to our native lands and came back to our abodes from a foreign wilderness. We celebrated and congratulated our- selves. We are obliged by justice to testify that this Government has restored to us the days of Islam and opened the doors for us to defend the faith of the Best of Creationsas. Whereas during Sikh rule, we were tormented by swords and spears and were not allowed to offer Prayers in the prescribed manner and to openly raise the Call to Prayer, as enjoined by our religion. We had no other option but to keep silent in the face of persecution and we could not find our way out of their tyranny. With the arrival of this Government, we returned to a state of peace and security; only the impudence of Christian priests remained. The freedom