1 SHER SINGH. 507
2 R4ja Guldb Singh carried off the accumulated treasures of Ranjit Singh
3 which were in the fort, Sixteen carts were filled with rupees and other
4 silver coins, while 500 horsemen were each entrusted with a bag of gold
5 mohurs, and his orderlies were also entrusted with jewellery and other valu-
6 able articles. The costly pashménds, and rich wardrobes, and the best horses
7 in Ranjit Singh’s stables, were all purloined by Guldb Singh on the occasion of
8 his evacuating Lahore, an event which took place on the night following
9 the cessation of hostilities. Before leaving for his native land, he paid his
10 respects to the new Maharajdé, whom he assured that all that had been done
11 by him had been done in perfect good faith, and as the oldservant of the
12 old Maharaja; that it was, moreover, his duty to save the honour of the
13 great Mahardja’s daughter-in-law, who had entrusted herself to his care,
14 SHER SINGH. :
15 On the 18th of January, 1841 (1892 Samat), Shér Singh was seated
16 on the throne of Léhore. All the sardars, with the exception of the '
17 Sindhianwalds, paid homage to him. Dhian Singh was again installed in
18 the office of wazir, and a rich Ahilat was conferred on him by the new
19 Maharaja. The pay of the soldiery was permanently raised by one rupee
20 per mensem. All the jagirs aud territories belonging to the powerful family
21 of Sindhianwalé were confiscated to the State, and orders were issued for the
22 arrest of Attar Singh, Sindhianwald, aud his younger brother, Lahnd Singh.
23 Attar Singh, with his nephew, Ajit Singh, escaped across the Sutlej
24 to British territory, while Lahnd Singh, another principal member, who had
25 till now remained with his division of troops, was made a State prisoner
26 and conveyed in chainsto Léhore. The soldiery, who had chiefly contri-
27 buted to the rise of Shér Singh to power, now became intolerant and un-
28 controllable. They began to wreak their vengeance upon such of their officers
29 as had in any way molested them, or defrauded them of their pay or prizes.
30 The houses of several of these officers were burnt, and men suspected of any
31 ill-feeling towards the soldiery were seized and put to death. The Europeans
32 then living at Ldhore in the employ of the Darbdr were terror-stricken
33 at the sight of the atrocities committed by the furious Khélsé soldiery.
34 General Court, an officer of much distinction and reputation in the darbdr,
35 effected his escape, but a brave young Englishman, named Foulkes, was
36 murdered in cold blood. Regimental Paymasters and Ministers living in
37 the town were plundered in broad daylight, nor was the discontent of the
38 soldiery confined to the capital. In Kashmir, General Mdhdn Singh was
39 plundered and slain, while at Peshdwar General Avitabile was so hard
40 pressed that he abandoned that town, to take safety in Jalldldbdd. The
41 turbulence of the Khdlsé army gradually subsided; but not until British
42 intervention had been threatened.
43 Shér Singh was addicted to pleasure, and had been in the habit of
44 indulging in the use of spirituous liquors to an immoderate extent before
45 he assumed the reins of Government. Firmly established in his kingdom,
46 he gave himself up to his favourite pursuits, hunting and wrestling, paying
47 but little attention to affairs of State, which were left entircly in the
48 hands of his prudent Minister, Rdéj& Dhidn Singh. He was brave, and
49 of a mild and affable disposition. He, however, sometime after, became
50 a complete libertine and an open drunkard, indulging especially in cham-
51 pagne. The marble palace garden, opposite the royal mosque of Aurangzeb,
52 was his favourite resort of pleasure; and here he used to sit on his
53 bed of roses, with wreaths of flowers hanging over the beautiful marble
54 Sher Singh succeeds,
55 Sil.
56 Dhidn Singh appoint-
57 ed Prime Minister,
58 The Sindhianwala
59 possessions seized.
60 The solidiery becomes
61 uncontrollable.
62 The character of
63 Sher Singh,
64 rches, and rose a usk > sprinkled the or il
65 ca Sri Satguru. Faas \Pelbrary Beene Asa taneteea ge ainsi com