1 498 HISTORY OF THE PANJAB,
2 brothers,Guléb Singh and Suchet Singh, the Sindhianwald Sardars and others,
3 went to the fort, two hours before sunrise, and entered the sleeping apartment
4 of Kharak Singh with drawn swords. On their way, they were met by
5 two Bhdis, whom they cut down; further on they met Kharak Singh’s
6 gadwat, or water-carrier, who was just returning after assisting his master
7 in performing his ablutions, as Kharak Singh was in the habit of retiring for
8 prayers at that early hour.
9 Seeing the armed ruffians, the gadwat, terror-stricken, ran in the direc-
10 tion of his master’s apartment, but he was waylaid by Dhidn Singh, who
11 shot him dead with an English rifle with which he was armed. The party
12 then advanced to the king’s sleeping apartment. Chet Singh now perceived
13 the danger with which he was threatened, and hastily concealed himself in
14 the khdbgah, a long dark room close to the royal apartment. Here the
15 conspirators met the king’s guards and two armed companies, who at firsb
16 offered some slight resistance ; but, when the brothers, Dhidn Singh and Gulab
17 Singh, shewed their faces, they were so much awed that they laid down their
18 arms and allowed the party free admission to the king’s retiring room. The
19 conspirators were so infuriated that they would have put an end to the life
20 of the monarch but for the timely presence of Nau Nehal Singh and his
21 mother, Chand Kour, who both had enjoined on the party not to injure the
22 _ Kharak Singh ispat person of Kharak Singh. The king was surprised and placed in custody.
23 sont Search was then made for his favorite, Chet Singh, who was at last discov-
24 ered concealed in the dark chamber of the khébgah, crouching in a corner
25 of the room and grasping a drawn sword with both hands, but trembling the
26 while with fear. On being discovered, he craved for pardon and wept like
27 a child; notwithstanding which he was dragged into the presence of Dhidn
28 Singh, who, having identified him, stabbed him twice through the stomach
29 with a long knife. Thus ended the life of this notorious intriguer. Chet
30 Singh’s relations and partisans were instantly searched for by the infuriated
31 assassins, and, on being discovered, shared the same fate. This occurred on
32 Assassination of Ohet. the 8th of October, 1839, and was the beginning of those numerous scenes
33 Singh, 8th October = gf bloodshed and horror which have left an ineffaceable blot on the history
34 ; of the Sikh regimé in the Panjab. :
35 Kharak Singh Subsequently to these horrible transactions Kharak Singh was permitted
36 a to abdicate and retire to his city mansion. He had reigned for a brief
37 period of about three months.
38 NAU NEHAL SINGH,
39 Prince Nau Neha The Royal Prince Nau Nehal Singh, the only son and real offspring of the
40 Singh succeeds, titular sovereign, was proclaimed ruler of the Panjab, and assumed the reins
41 of Government at the early age of 18. His features and disposition bore a
42 striking resemblance to those of his illustrious grandfather, and he was
43 exceedingly popular with the army in consequence of his having chosen the
44 ptofession of arms ata very tender age. He possessed an ambitious and
45 warlike spirit, which, combined with consummate forethought, a keen judg-
46 ment, and a, clear insight into business matters, qualified him thoroughly for
47 the position to which he aspired. The great Ranjit Singh was dotingly fond
48 of his grandson, and justly cherished the hope that he would one day rule
49 the destinies of the vast kingdom founded by himself. He, too, had his
50 weak points,, He almost believed in the infallibility of his spiritual precep-
51 tors. He was entirely under the influence of the Brahmins, and placed
52 Higwhie aad implicit’ faith in all that they told him. The Brahmins, Bawés, and Fakirs
53 es persuaded him that he would sway the sceptre from the borders of A fghani-
54 stan to Pragia, the most sacred ‘city of the Hindus (now known as Benares),
55 Sri Satguru J agjit Singh J i eLibrary NamdhariElibrary@ gmail.com
56 q