1 CHAPTER XI.
2 THE FIRST SIKH WAR.
3 Though nothing could exceed the patriotic fervour
4 of the Sikhs, every one of whom was ready to
5 give up his life for the Khalsa, their community
6 was now divided into three distinct and mutually
7 antagonistic parties — the court, the sirdars, and
8 the army. The court regarded every sirdar as
9 a potential enemy, and the sirdars despised and
10 distrusted the court, while the army was equally
11 dreaded by both. The judicial murder of Jowahir
12 Singh left the administration once more in the
13 hands of the army, and the Panches met in daily
14 council to dictate the policy of the state. The Rani
15 and the officers of her government were completely
16 at the mercy of this armed parliament, and the
17 sirdars, who were robbed to satisfy its cupidity,
18 looked in vain for a ruler strong enough to break
19 its power and to establish a government under which
20 they could once more enjoy some semblance of
21 security. A second Ranjit Singh might have been
22 able to give them what they desired ; but, alas ! no
23 second Ranjit Singh was forthcoming.
24 But the very omnipotence of the army of the
25 Khalsa was the cause which led to its destruction.