1 A. D. 1820. INTRIGUES AGAINST SUDA KOONWUR. 127
2 After October the muster of the Sikh army was taken
3 at Seeal-kot, whither RuNJEET Singh proceeded by
4 the route of Buttala. Thence, skirting the hills, and
5 sending detachments against the turbulent Chib-Bhao
6 tribe to ravage their possessions ; he proceeded to Rawul
7 Pindee, and dispossessing the chief, NUND Singh,
8 annexed it to the Khaisa. Rl'NJEET Singh returned to
9 Labor on the 13th December, and for the rest of the sea-
10 son was occupied chiefly in domestic arrangements.
11 Sheer Singh, the eldest of the children brought
12 forward by Suda Koonwur, had been adopted, and
13 brought up by her with great expectations. He was now
14 approaching man's estate, and began to be clamorous for a
15 Jageer, and separate establishment. Runjeet Singh
16 himself encouraged him in this, hoping that the Ranee
17 would make a provision suitable, from the possessions
18 of the Ghunee Sirdaree in her management. She, how-
19 ever, desired to force the recognition of the young man,
20 and the making provision for him, on Runjeet, who
21 was obstinate in refusing. The wily Sikh fomented the
22 dispute between Sheer Singh and his adoptive mother,
23 and gained over Bysakh Singh, an old and highly
24 confidential retainer of the Ghunees, who was in great
25 trust with Suda Koonwur. After this intrigue had
26 been carrying on for some time, and Sheer Singh's
27 complaints had made their impression, unfavorable to
28 Suda Koonwur, Runjeet Singh thought matters
29 ripe for an authoritative act of interference on his part.
30 He accordingly sent to his mother-in-law an order, in
31 October J 820, to set apart half of her own Jageer for the
32 suitable maintenance of the two youths Sheer Singh
33 and Tara Singh, whom she had brought up with such