1 SECRET HISTORY OF THE LAHORE DURBAR. 25
2 in fact it will readily be acknowledged by all who knew any
3 thing* of Kumick Sing, that in the early part of his life he gave
4 the promise of, or in reality possessed, all the abilities requi-
5 site for a sovereign of the Pnnjaub ; with perhaps one excep-
6 tion, viz. that while not so crafty as the minister, he was more
7 religiously and peacefully inclined, and far less ambitious. Yet
8 though peaceful, he proved when roused to energy that he
9 possessed no small share of personal bravery, activity, and
10 determination. It must however be owned, that during the
11 latter years of Runjeet's life, when through the intrigues of
12 the wily minister, Kurruck Sing was treated even by his own
13 father as imbecile and unworthy either of power or confi-
14 dence, and when all hopes of returning favor were des-
15 troyed, his mind gradually assumed a dark and gloomy aspect.
16 This was instantly regarded as a corroborating proof of his being
17 dull and possessed of no abilities; spite of air however, he
18 seemed to bear the whole with a religious meekness and
19 silent acquiescence.
20 Shere Sing again, was from the first, or not long after
21 his birth, disowned by the king as not being his lawful son,
22 and was only treated nominally as such, being allowed cer-
23 tain jaghires and lands to live on, sometimes commanded to
24 do duty, and to go on campaigns and expeditions with the
25 same order and in the same manner as other Sirdars.
26 About this time too, Kurruck Sing and Shere Sing, but
27 more particularly the former, were but seldom allowed to
28 remain at or near the Court, being generally sent away and
29 kept at a distance on the frontiers, on some foolish or triflino-
30 excuse. And while the heir to the throne was being thus treated,
31 Rajah Heera Sing, the minister's eldest son was by the instru-
32 mentality of female intrigue and Dehan Sing's craft, so brought
33 up and cherished as to be considered the favorite and adopted
34 child. The king's mind was so worked on that he could nei-
35 ther sleep nor rest without having him at his side. — It was he
36 E