1 THE WAZiRAT OF JAWAHIR SINGH: 535
2 being produced as authority for this); and that he should make his trium-
3 phant entry into the capital, escorted by his own troops. He was treated
4 with the greatest cordiality and apparent respect. Having thus been put
5 off bis guard, he was treacherously made prisoner and thrown into a dark
6 dungeon, or low tower, called Kélé Burj, in the fort of Atok, where he was
7 strangled at night and his body thrown into the Indus. The day following
8 this tragedy, the treacherous chiefs, not daring to go to L&hore to announce
9 their success to the minister, through dread of the Khdlsd, repaired to their
10 respective destinations.
11 The news of the death of Peshora Singh was recéived by the Léhore
12 minister with profound joy. The ramparts of the fort thundered forth a
13 royal salute, and the city was illuminated at night. In vain did Bawa,
14 Rattan Singh, and Bhai Chattu, the principal advisers of the minister,
15 remonstrate with him for so indiscreet and dangerous an act. ~°
16 The fury and indignation of the Khdlsd, on hearing of the tragical end
17 of the prince, and still more on seeing the demonstrations made to cele-
18 brate the event, passed all bounds. The whole of the Khdlsé troops made
19 common cause, and swore to take vengeance on Jawdhir Singh, as the sole
20 author of the horrible crime. The Dogré element was busily at work
21 exciting the wrath of the Sikh soldiery at thisjuncture. Pirthi Singh, son
22 of Mién Arbela Singh, and his party, were at the capital, and played their
23 part with the troops so well that several divisions of the army withdrew to
24 a place three or four miles from the city, on the road to Midn Mir, to
25 concentrate the rest of their body there with the object of eventually seizing
26 the person of Jawdhir Singh, or acting in any way which the urgency of,
27 the case might require. They were joined by the whole of the Khdlsé
28 troops, with the exception of the two battalions of Jawdhir Singh’s bodyguard,
29 stationed in the fort. The panches of the army now sent messages to
30 Jawadhir Singh, demanding his presence before the Khdlsd, but the sardar
31 paid no attention to their demand, still hoping to win over the soldiery
32 to his side by bribes and promises. Both he and his sister exerted all
33 their energies to persuade the deputies of the troops to let the matter drop.
34 They even gave written agreements, promising the troops an increase of
35 pay in the event of Jawdhir Singh’s offence being forgiven, but all their
36 promises and declarations were ineffectual. The deputies had been bribed
37 with ready money to a large amount by the Dogrd faction, and would
38 yield to no promises, however liberal, and to no entreaties, however humi-
39 liating. A part of the impatient and furious soldiery set itself in motion
40 and took up its station opposite the Dehli gate. Another portion of the
41 army marched to attack the fort. The sound of their drums and bugles
42 startled the obnoxious minister from his slumbers. Jawdéhir Singh now
43 saw the danger of his position, and immediately proceeded to consult
44 with his sister upon the matter. Taking her and her son, the young Maha-
45 réjé, with him, he left the fort at noon on the 21st September, 1845,
46 escorted by about 1,000 men, and repaired to the spot where the main
47 army was encamped, He had the young Mahardjd with him on his lap on
48 the same elephant, while his sister, the queen-mother, followed on another,
49 with the slave-girl Mangela, and other members of the zendnd and slave-
50 girls followed on elephants. As the sardar advanced, with his party, he
51 was everywhere saluted, the Rdni at the same time being most lavish in
52 her promises of rewards to the troops, which she now made personally, as
53 she advanced, in the hope that her brother’s life would be spared. Jawdhir
54 Singh, on his part, entertained hopes of forgiveness after he had made his
55 personal appearance before the soldiery, shielded, as he thought, he was, by
56 The Prince {s seized
57 and put to death, 1845,
58 The Khdisd soldiery
59 become disgusted with
60 Jaw4hir Singh,
61 The deputies of the
62 army demand his
63 presence before them.
64 The perplezity of the
65 minister, os y
66 Sri Satguru J agjit Singh Ji eLibrary NamdhariElibrary@ gmail.com