1 Anarchy. 161
2 sona ki kukri, or " the golden hen." To every soldier
3 in the force he promised a gold bangle and twenty-
4 five rupees, and he offered to pay to the state a fine
5 of thirty-five lakhs. Whilst these transactions were
6 in progress, an altercation between his own followers
7 and some of the soldiers of the Khalsa, resulting in
8 the murder of the Sikh chief Fatten Singh Man,
9 who was conducting the negotiations on behalf of
10 Lahore, came very near to ruining all Ghulab's plans.
11 For two days his capital was in imminent danger ;
12 but once more " the jingle of the guinea " saved the
13 situation. This time the Raja took up his abode in
14 the Lahore camp ; and so successful was he in buying
15 over the troops to his interests, that Lai Singh, their
16 commander, fearing a general desertion, suggested the
17 propriety of concluding the negotiations at Lahore.
18 In April this course was adopted. Something like
19 half the Lahore troops had by this time sworn to
20 follow Ghulab Singh ; and the wily Dogra set out for
21 the capital of the Punjab in joint command of the
22 army which, but two months before, had been
23 dispatched for his annihilation.
24 On arrival at the capital, Ghulab Singh was
25 received in audience by the Rani, to whom he
26 tendered his submission, and expiated his sins by
27 yielding up the estates and property of his deceased
28 brothers and nephew, and paying a second indemnity
29 of thirty lakhs of rupees. The Rani treated him
30 with much respect, and bestowed on him many marks
31 of her favour, even to the extent of asking him to
32 accept the office of minister. This dangerous honour
33 he declined, and it was shortly afterwards conferred
34 (1,841) 1 1