Rajas of the punjab

· 1873 · Public domain (published pre-1930) · archive.org ↗

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2T H E P A T T t.A L A S T A T E .

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4so gross, owing to the growing imbecility of the Raja and

5the rapacity of his advisers, that Colonel Oehterlony was

6compelled to interfere, although the proclamation of the

73d of May 1809 had reserved to the Chiefs the right of

8perfect liberty in their internal affairs. But the other-

9great Chiefs of the Phulkian house, the Rajas of Nabha

10and Jhind and their friend and connection Bhai Lai Singh

11were most anxious that the agent should use his influence

12to restore some order to the administration. The Raja

13was completely in the hands of unworthy favourities,

14whose ascendancy was used to aggrandise and enrich

15themselves. Iiis wife, Rani Aus Kour, was too able and

16independent to be in favour with the Raja's advisers, who

17wished to retain all power themselves, and the Raja had

18been taught to look upon her with suspicion and dislike.

19On the 9th January 1811, at the invitation of Raia TheBri*h

20Sahib Singh and the Rajas of Nabha and Jhind, Colonel tiala' 1811 ■

21Oehterlony visited Pattiala. The Raja appeared most desi

22rous that some satisfactory arrangement should be made

23by which order might be restored. He wished, however,

24to place the administration in the hands of Rani Khem

25Kour, Iris step-mother, whose interests were distinct from

26his own and from those of the heir to the throne, and

27whose rapacity was as great as that of any of the minis

28ters. Although Colonel Oehterlony would have desired

29to see Rani Aus Kour at the head of affairs, a wish

30that was shared by the. Rajas of Jhind and Nabha,

31he would not consent that any one should be appointed

32in opposition to the wish of the Raja ; at any rate, till

33such time as the instructions of the Governor-General

34should be received.

35It was agreed by the Rajas and Bhai Lai Singh that

36certain reforms should be made without delay; that the an<* cU