1 156 SECRET HISTORY OF THE LAHORE DURBAR.
2 quered in different parts of the Punjaub. It was only after
3 his first attempt to subdue Cashmere, that Runjeet formed any-
4 kind of a regular treasury. About that time Bustee Ram died,
5 and Misser Belee Ram, his nephew, who stood high in the
6 favour and confidence of Runjeet, was appointed chief manager
7 and controllor of the Toshakhana. Jessa Misser was still
8 only a petty writer or moonshee under Belee Ram, but on
9 Rajah Dehan Sing becoming minister, that chief, who was
10 on bad terms with Belee Ram, persuaded Runjeet to appoint
11 Jessa Misser, whom he represented as a most upright man
12 of great abilities, to the charge of all the money and valuables
13 received from Cashmere, then newly conquered. Thus Jessa
14 Misser became a protege of the Dogra party, whom he
15 thenceforth acknowledged as his patrons and benefactors.
16 In 1829 Jessa Misser died, leaving his son, the present Rajah
17 Lall Sing, to the care of the Rajahs Dehan Sing and Goolaub
18 Sing, enjoining the boy on his death-bed ever to remember
19 that he had owed his rise and fortunes to the favour and patron-
20 age of the Dogra chiefs. He particularly recommended his
21 son to consider the Rajahs Dehan Sing and Goolaub Sing as his
22 patrons and protectors, and himself as their humble servant and
23 slave all the days of his life. After Jessa Misser's death,
24 Rajah Dehan Sing gave Lall Sing the appointment held by
25 his father ; but as the boy was too young to discharge the
26 duties of the office, business was transacted in his name by
27 his elder brother, the present Misser Ameer Chund, now
28 Kardar of a large district beyond the Jhelum, and in charge
29 of the Salt mines. Another and a younger brother, Bug-
30 wan Sing, was also ordered by the Rajah to attend at the
31 Toshakhana for the purpose of learning the business of the
32 office. Dehan Sing's intention was to displace Misser Belee
33 Ram and to put this youth Bugwan Sing in his place. How-
34 ever the Rajah did not live to consummate his plans. Still
35 Misser Lall Sing was acknowledged as the keeper and manager