1 Jawahir Singh and
2 Lal Singh attain power.
3 Bonntiful rewards to
4 the Sikh soldiers,
5 The army moves
6 to Jammu, 1844,
7 The Dogras slay
8 Sardar Fatteh Singh,
9 Mian,
10 QGul&b Singh is
11 brought to Lihore,
12 1845,
13 Formal investment
14 of Jawahir Singh as
15 wazir, 1815,
16 5382 HISTORY OF THE. PANJAB.
17 strength and honour to it, But, as affairs stood, the fate of the Panjéb was
18 sealed, True is the saying, “ Quem Deus Vult perdere prius dementat.”
19 THE WAZIRAT OF JAWAHIR SINGH.
20 The worthies who now appear on the stage of the Léhore drama. are,
21 Sardar Jawdhir Singh, brother of Rani Jindan, the queen of the great Maha-
22 _r4j4, and her favourite Lal Singh, the Brahmin. One of their first acts was
23 to increase their popularity among the Jthdlsé, conscious as they were of their
24 unlimited power in the politics of the country. The golden utensils of the
25 Royal Toshakhdnd, were all melted down and given to the goldsmiths for
26 the preparation of golden kanthds, or bracelets, to be given to each soldier,
27 The preparation of these kanthds occupied fully two months, and the Ahdl-
28 sé on receiving these golden prizes were elated with pleasure and pride. The
29 soldiers now possessed immense riches. The anarchy which had prevailed
30 during the last four years, and which had literally drained the resources of
31 the country, was all to their advantage, since whatever faction came into
32 power, owed its rise and strength to them: alone, and gained the point with
33 their countenance and support.
34 The Khdlsd, elated with their successes, marched to Jammit, several
35 thousand strong, under the command of Shdm Singh, Attariwdld, General
36 Mewd Singh, Majithia, Sultén Mahmud Khan and Fatteh Singh, Mén, to
37 reduce Rdj4 Guldb Singh. The darbdér demanded of Guldb Singh three
38 crores of rupees, as a fine, and the restoration of all the property belonging
39 to the late Rajds Suchet Singh and Hird Singh. In a fight which ensued
40 ap Jammi, Fatteh Singh, Mdn, fell by the hands of the Dogrds. He was
41 a brave old chief of Ranjit Singh’s time, and a great favourite with the
42 Khdlsé troops. His murder greatly incensed the Khélsé, who now pushed
43 forward to Tavi, the river ranning below the walls of Jammu. The astute °
44 chief of Jammi, fully knowing the inferiority of his own troops, and dreading
45 the excitement caused among the Khédlsé by the murder of the Man Sardar,
46 brought all his arts into play.
47 He expressed his grief at the death of the old sardar and disclaimed
48 all participation in it. Taking with him his nephew Mido Jawéhir
49 Singh, who was a great favourite with the Ahdlsé, he went to the troops
50 himself, and, prostrating himself before the panches, declared that he and
51 his family were, as they had ever been, their devoted servants, and that all
52 the wealth which he had amassed was theirs. He distributed his money
53 freely among the soldiery and sent three lakhs of rupees, laden on camels
54 and elephants, as a nazar for the Lahore Darbar. His personal exertions
55 and attention to the members of the panchayats averted the catastrophe
56 which threatened. him, of a sack of Jammt, and was so far successful that
57 he partially gained over some of the brigades; but he was nevertheless
58 carried to Léhore, under military surveillance, in April, 1845. Arrived at
59 the capital, he was placed on an elephant and conveyed under a strong escort
60 to the Summan Burj, to meet the Rdni. He was honourably received by
61 her, and so well satisfied her with the accounts-given by him, that she
62 offered him the office of wazir, which had not yet been formally bestowed
63 on Jawahir Singh, her brother. This greatly excited the jealousy of the
64 latter, whose will prevailed, and he was formally installed as wazir on 14th
65 May, 1845, Lal Singh receiving at the same time the title of rdjd. Gulab
66 Singh was present at this ceremony. He subsequently took part in the
67 betrothal of the young Mahardja to a daughter of Chatter Singh, Chief of
68 Sri Satguits Sant SMT AIRC Om FO ay aE HB Sty SCAR REH, I Power,