1 126 SECRET HISTORY OF THE LAHORE DURBAR.
2 Maharajh's mother. This worthy had for some time back
3 been living at Umritsir, apparently and according- to common
4 report absorbed in revelling* and drunkenness. Rajah Heera
5 Sing had several times ordered him to present himself at
6 Lahore, but to no purpose, he continued at Umritsir seeming-
7 ly given up to his debasing pleasures and careless of the
8 affairs of state. It is however suspected that his devotion to
9 pleasure and indifference to political matters were in a great
10 measure assumed for the purpose of hiding the real designs
11 of an ambitious man. It is thought that Jewahir Sing em-
12 ployed the opportunity afforded by his residence at Umritsir
13 in successful efforts to sow the seeds of disaffection and revo-
14 lution among the Seiks, Akalees, Biis, Gooroos, and other
15 fanatics who dwelt at or resorted to the holy city, or who
16 were scattered throughout the Manjh districts in the neighbour-
17 hood. In time his plans received the support and countenance
18 of many of the Seik sirdars, most of whom had become tired
19 of the Dogra ascendancy. He had also brought over to
20 his party many of the regular Khalsa troops, their officers and
21 deputies. He now, therefore, returned to Lahore to complete
22 his plans and to carry them into effect.
23 Then ensued one of those ominous calms which to those
24 well read in the signs of the times foretold a coming storm.
25 The approach of some appalling event might always be pretty
26 surely predicted from the perfect silence preserved alike by
27 the army and the court on political matters. This porten-
28 tous silence was styled by the Seiks a hurra clwop. During
29 this choop neither sirdars, chiefs, officers, or soldiers seemed in-
30 clined to speak on matters which they were inwardly revolving.
31 No visits were paid, every man keeping at home secretly pre-
32 paring for the approaching convulsion. The chiefs, both of the
33 court and the army, were privately engaged in drawing armed
34 men around them and sending out spies in every direction.
35 Each battalion of the army quietly made arrangements to