1 HISTORY OF THE SIKHS. 7
2 with all possible expedition. On receiving. her
3 order, Uttur Singh hurried back by forced marches
4 and soon reached Lahore. Chund Koonwur, thus
5 strengthened, distributed alms to the Brahmins,
6 and was proclaimed Ranee or queen. Uttur Singh
7 was instulled as the chief adviser, and by his advice
8 and counsel, as well as that of other Sirdars favour-
9 able to her cause, she expelled Shere Singh, and shere singh
10 shut the gates of Lahore. Shere Singh was inclined expelled from
11 to offer resistance, but Dhyan Singh, who from the
12 first espoused his cayise, dissuaded him from making
13 any hostile attempt, promising, at the same time,
14 that he would establish him on the throne - of
15 Lahore. Shere Singh accordingly returned to Muk- returns to
16 herya, where he employed himself in his favourite™“""*
17 pursuits of hunting and shooting until he should
18 receive further advice from the Rajah regarding his
19 future steps. In the meantime, the Ranee ap-
20 pointed Uttur Singh her prime minister, and urtur singh
21 Dhyan Singh remained unemployed. The affairs $e Minis.
22 of the state were conducted by the advice of the ‘™
23 prime minister, assisted by a council of four others. council of
24 It was soon apparent, that, with the Ranee at the oat:
25 head of affairs, the government could not be
26 earried on in an efficient manner, and Dhyan
27 Singh embraced every opportunity of rendering phyan singh
28 her unpopular among the Sirdars and the soldiers. sadesvoue
29 At length, he persuaded them that a woman should S°°™"
30 no longer be allowed to rule them, but that a man
31 of energy and talent was required for this purpose,