As soon as they were alone, he addressed the Maharaja thus: 'Maharaja _sahib_, answer me one question: Are you for us, or against us ?' The Maharaja's reply was very hearty: 'As long as I live I am yours, but you know I have enemies in my own country; some of my relations are against me--my brother for one.

What do you want done ?' Forsyth then asked the Maharaja to send some of his troops towards Kurnal to keep open the Grand Trunk Road.

The Maharaja agreed on the understanding that Europeans should soon be sent to support them--a very necessary condition, for he knew that his men could only be trusted so long as there was no doubt of our ultimate success.
Patiala was true to his word, and throughout the Mutiny the Phulkian Chiefs remained perfectly loyal, and performed the important service of keeping open communication between Delhi and the Punjab.[10] On the 19th May General Anson was cheered by hearing from John Lawrence that the Corps of Guides and four trusty Punjab regiments were proceeding by forced marches to join him.

On the 21st he received a message from the Governor-General informing him that European troops were coming from Madras, Bombay, and Ceylon.

He also heard of the arrival of the siege-train at Umballa, and he had the satisfaction of telegraphing to the Chief Commissioner that the first detachment of the column destined for Delhi had started.
On the 23rd the Commander-in-Chief communicated his plan of operations to General Hewitt.