Indian Antiquary Vol 19

SR No.: 032511
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: John Faithfull Fleet, Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 510
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 21 MB

Page 318

292
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[OCTOBER, 1890.
.
Fath Khan Barukzdi in A. H. 1228,19 which corresponds to the Vikramaditya year 1868,20 promised to pay annually eight lákhs of tribute to the government of the Mabârâjâ Ranjit Singh, if the latter would assist him with an army to subjugate Kasmír. The offer was accepted and the Diwan Muḥkam Chand despatched with numerous forces. The Diwan succeeded in removing 'Ata Muhammad who had governed Kaśmir on behalf of the sovereign of Afghanistan, and demanded the promised tribute from Fath Khân, who at first demurred, but afterwards paid it on compulsion, and leaving his own brother Muhammad 'Azim in charge of Kaśmîr, departed to Kabul, During this march Fath Khan attempted to obtain possession of the Fort of A$ak, but as soon as his intentions became known to the Diwan Muhkam Chapd, he attacked him, Gulab Siugh distinguished himself by his bravery in the action which ensued, but his father Keswar Singh was wounded. Fath Khân was put to flight, and the Sikh army started to march back to LÂhôr, when Gulab Singh heard that Mian Mota Singh had been assassinated at the instigation of the Rani Bundrål, by two miscreants named Taphdû and Satrü,
When Muhammad Azim became established in Kaśmir, he delayed payment of tribute, so the army of the Panjab ruler marched in St. 187322 to attack him.23 The Pir Pañjal Pass was crossed, and Kaśmir entered by the army under the command of the Diwan Ramdial and Dal Singh, when RAJA 'Az Khan,24 governor of Rajâori, who had merely pretended to be friendly to the Maharaja Ranjit Singh, not only failed in his promise to supply grain, but went so far as to intercept couriers and to send false nossages to Ranjit Singh, that the army, after crossing the Pîr Pañjal, had been destroyed by the enemy, Gulab Singh, who was stationed in Mandi, took this information to be true, and retreated in the direction of Bashahir, whereon his troops became so demoralised that they began to flee bastily, The adjacent zamindára, observing this, commenced to obstruct further progress, and forced on a battle in which, however, Gulab Singh defeated them. When the army arrived in LA hôr, Galab Singh was rewarded for his bravery by the gift of a jáyér and other honours. On that occasion also Amir Chend, the grandfather of the author, was elevated to the position of Diwân.
After this the Maharaja Ranjit Singh went to the JAlandhar Doab for the purpose of conquering the Fort of Gaph Danâlâ. Gulab Singh happened just then to be living in retirement at Jammun, and finding that this displeased the Mahârâjâ be determined to join him, and made his appearance in the camp just as arrangements were being made for the siege of the place. In the final attack Gulab Singh again displayed much 'bravery, and was in addition to his other jagirs rewarded with that of Ramgarh, which he had, however, to take by force! In fact, it appears to have been the custom of Ranjit Singh to shew his liberality in this manner, without reference to the population or to the rights of the previous incumbent, so that taking ponsession of a jágîr was generally beset with difficulties and preceded by hostilities. During the same year Ranjit Singh undertook also a campaign to Multán for the purpose of reducing the Nawab Muzaffar Khan to obedience. In an engagement which took place during the seige, a high officer happened to be slain, and orders having been issued for the recovery of the body, no one ventured to execute them except Gulab Singh, who, undaunted by a shower of bullets, rushed in among the combatants, and returned to the amazement of everyone with the corpse of the Sardar. After Ranjit Singh had obtained the required nazarána from the Nawab he marched back to Lähôr, and Gulâb Singh returned to Jammlli.
In St. 187435 Bhagwan Singh, an official of Ranjit Singh, brought a deed of gift from the latter to Galâb Singh, presenting him with the jáger of Riasi, hitherto in possession of Diwan
1 Began 4th January 1818.
► Ought to be 1870. 21 A somewhat different account of this affair is given in the first half of Ch. 25 of the Zafarndma or Book of the c'onquests of Ranjit Singh, which see ante, Vol. XVI. pp. 389 ff.
23 A. D. 1816. 95 This is alluded to in Ch. 26 of the Zafarnama, but there the date in St. 1871 [A.D. 1814).
4 [Muhammadan Rajput Obiefs frequently bave Hindu titles tacked on to their Musalman names. R.C.T.] » A. D. 1817