1 SECRET HISTORY OF THE LAHORE DURBAR. 31
2 No Nehal Sing soon became elated with the success he
3 had attained. Brahmins, fakeers, &c. were brought forward
4 to prophecy the endurance of his rule and the success of
5 his arms, which they declared would shortly conquer Delhi
6 and extend even as far as Benares itself. To flatter his
7 credulity and to humour his ambition some of these Brah-
8 mins requested and absolutely got from him promissory
9 bills of the right and title to large sums of money and pre-
10 sents of jaghires and land, about Benares, Delhi, &c. — all to
11 come into force when lus empire extended so far. Thus
12 governed by the craft and wily machinations of his tutors
13 he sincerely believed in all; and his ambition soon led him
14 to consent to the imprisonment of his father. By this low yet
15 deep policy a most rancorous enmity was established between
16 the father and the son. Of the former king, No Nehal Sing
17 never spoke but in terms of contumely and reproach. He
18 would see him but seldom, and when he did it was only to abuse
19 him for his supposed unmanly conduct and pusillanimity.
20 Thus was Kurruck Sing's spirit and constitution broken
21 down. Shortly afterwards he was reported to be sick, and
22 by the help of his doctors, who had their part appointed
23 them, was in a very short time beyond all hopes of recovery.
24 His son however was taught to believe that he was only
25 feigning to be ill, with the hope of being able to effect his
26 escape and make his way over to the British.* For this
27 reason Kurruck Sing was but little noticed by his son
28 during his illness; in fact he never saw him but once, and
29 then but a short time before his death, — on which occasion
30 the father was treated by his only son in a manner revolting,
31 even to the natives around. There is nothing at all astonish-
32 ing in this when we remember the shameful proceedings adopted
33 • To give this the semblance of probability and truth strong guards were placed
34 over the person of the deposed monarch.