1 68 A Short History of the Sikhs.
2 courageous woman, who ruled the misl with tact
3 and ability. In 1780, the year of the birth of
4 Ranjit Singh, Mahan took the power into his own
5 hands, and at once made preparations for carrying
6 on the feud with the Bhangi misl.
7 In the meantime, Raja Ranjit Deo of Jammu
8 had died, and the state was now in the hands of
9 Brij Raj, with whom Mahan Singh had exchanged
10 turbans as a token of everlasting friendship. When
11 the latter assumed control of the Sukarchakias, Brij
12 Raj appealed to him for assistance against the
13 Bhangis who were marching to attack his capital.
14 Mahan Singh eagerly welcomed the chance of a
15 conflict with his hereditary foes, and set out for
16 Jammu with all the troops he could muster. The
17 Kanheyas likewise joined in the struggle ; but, on
18 this occasion, they ranged themselves on the side
19 of the Bhangis. This powerful combination was
20 more than Mahan Singh could withstand : his forces
21 were defeated, while Brij Raj was compelled to
22 pay tribute to the victorious misls.
23 A few months later, the Kanheyas, finding that
24 the stipulated tribute was not forthcoming, invited
25 the Sukarchakias to join them in raiding the capital
26 of Brij Raj. Forgetful of his pledge, Mahan Singh
27 signified his readiness to take part in the expedition.
28 He lost no time in making his preparations ; and
29 such was the speed of his movements that he
30 entered Jammu, sacked the town and the surrounding
31 villages, and departed with his plunder, before the
32 Kanheyas appeared on the scene. Jai Singh, the
33 Kanheya chief, enraged at this breach of faith,