1 328 HISTORY OF THE PANJAB.
2 fight of four months, and gave Sukh Chen, the chief of the territory,
3 His death, 1781. twelve villages as maintenance. The rajé died in February, 1781, of dropsy,
4 brought on by excessive drinking, in the thirty-fifth year of his age.
5 Succession of Sahib Amar Singh was succeeded by his son, Sahib Singh, a child six years of
6 Singh Raid age, and he by Karam Singh. Patidla was ravaged by the English adven-
7 nd of Raj4 Karram “o™?) * ers . . M
8 Singh. : turer, George Thomas, originally in the service of the famous Zebul Nissa,
9 gate naventuren commonly called the Begum Samru; but a peace was concluded between
10 him and the Sikhs, in A.D, 1801, the adventurer retiring to his fort in
11 Fminent womencon- Hansi. Jor many years Patidlé was under the influence of women of
12 nected with the Patiélé oourage, wisdom and activity, such as Réni Hukma, Rani Khem Kour, Bibi
13 Pardhan, the grand-aunt of Sahib Singh, and Réni Rajandar of Phagwara,
14 a first cousin of Raj4 Amar Singh, who, at the head of a considerable
15 force, marched to Patial4, and, releasing Nannu Mal, reinstated him in his
16 The gallantry of Rant Office of minister. Rani Sahib Kour, sister of Sahib Singh, fought heroically
17 Sahib Kour. against the Mahrattas under Abta Rao and Lachman Rao, when those
18 chiefs crossed the Jamna, and invaded Patidlé. In a brisk engagement
19 which took place between the two armies, near Mardanpur, a few miles
20 from Ambala, the Sikhs, who were no match for the disciplined troops of
21 the enemy, began to give way before superior numbers. The Rani,
22 seeing that retreat would be disastrous to their cause, at once jumped
23 out of her chariot, and, drawing her sword, exclaimed to the soldiery:
24 “ Soldiers! I have resolved not to retreat. It would be ashame for the
25 Sikh nation, if, at this moment, they left a woman, the sister of their
26 sovereign, to be slain by their enemies.” The gallantry displayed by this
27 extraordinary woman put the Sikhs to so much shame, that they resolved to
28 conquer or die. They attacked the Mahrattas furiously, but were _replused.
29 she detents the At length a night attack was resolved upon, and this threw the Mahrattas
30 Mahrattas. into such a state of consternation that they retired precipitately, and in
31 great disorder, towards Karnal. .
32 Sanente Karam Singh died, in December 1845, and was succeeded by his son,
33 Singh, 1815.“ Nirandar Singh, then twenty-three years of age. Nirandar Singh rendered
34 encooean andar Singh Valuable service to the British Government during the war with the Lahore
35 the wactyioes during State, and his services were duly acknowledged in a sanad granted him by the
36 Léhore State, 147, Governor-General, in September 1847. Renewed assurances of protection,
37 and a guarantee f’ his rights in his former possessions, were given to the
38 Bis rewara. raja, who, on his part, bound himself to the suppression of sattz, infanticide
39 and dealings in slaves within his territories.
40 Re a tone ae During the great Mutiny of 1857-58, no prince in India stood so boldly
41 in 1857-58. and heartily on the side of the British Government as the Mahardajé of
42 Patiala, who was the most conspicuous for his loyalty and attachment to the
43 paramount power. He acted with a resolution, courage and devotion
44 worthy of the name of his illustrious ancestors, which has endeared his
45 memory, not only to all Englishmen, but also to all those Indian$ who
46 appreciate loyalty to a Government under whom they enjoy the blessings of
47 peace, prosperity and freedom. During the darkest days of the Mutiny,
48 when less sincere friends shrank back, he came forward with redoubled zeal,
49 and put all his resources, unreservedly, at the disposal of the British
50 authorities. The king of Delhi sent him a letter, asking his aid against
51 the British Government, and promising rewards; but the Mahardja for-
52 * George Thomas came to India in 1781. For several years he was in the service of the
53 Begum Samrti, but was reduced in rank for some misconduct. He took service under Apa
54 Khandi Rao, a Mahratta chief, and instructed the Mahratta troops in the European system of
55 drill, The district of Jhajjar was assigaed to him in jagir, but Thomas soon afterwards be-
56 orig independent and rose to power. He ruled the country about Hansi and Hissar. For his
57 military adventures, see the Afemoirs of George Thomas, by W. Franklin, Calentta, 1803.
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