1 84 KHOOSHHAL SINGH's RISE TO FAVOR. A. D. 1811.
2 present march; whereupon Runjeet Singh, being
3 relieved from his apprehensions, waited upon the Shah, and
4 after a friendly interview, both returned to their respec-
5 tive capitals. Runjeet Singh found at Labor, a car-
6 riage from Calcutta, which had been forwarded as a
7 present from the Governor General, Lord MiNTO. This
8 being the first vehicle on springs, in which he had ever
9 sat, the novelty and ease of motion were highly gratify-
10 ing to him, and an agent was deputed to Calcutta to
11 make suitable acknowledgments for the present. The
12 Chief, however, was too wily to adopt generally this mode
13 of conveyance, which would have imposed the necessity
14 of first making roads.
15 In April and May, Runjeet Singh had armies in
16 three directions, one about Kangra, collecting tributes,
17 a second acting against Bhimbhur and Rajaoree, and the
18 third, under his son Khuruk Singh, accompanied by
19 Dewan Mohkum Chund, resuming the possessions of
20 the Nukee Chiefs. Runjeet Singh remained in per-
21 son at his capital, directing the whole, and this period of
22 his life is marked by the sudden rise to favor of a young
23 Gour Brahmin, named Khooshhal Singh, upon whom
24 the most extravagant gifts were daily lavished, and who
25 was raised to the important and lucrative ofTice of Deohree
26 Wala, or Lord Chamberlain, with the rank of Raja,
27 and vested besides with extensive Jageers. Runjeet
28 Singh had ever led a most dissolute life; his debauch-
29 eries, particularly during the Iloolee and Dussera, were
30 shameless, and the scenes exhibited on such occasions
31 openly before the Court, and even in the streets of Lah6r,
32 were the conversation of Hindoostnn, and rival the
33 worst that is reported in history of the profligacies of