Indian Antiquary Vol 17

Author(s): John Faithfull Fleet, Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 93

MARCH, 1888.)
ZAFARNAMA-I-RANJIT SINGH.
83
towards him, and the artillery fired a salute. other medical men from the Pañjab, from The interview took place with the usual Multan and from Kaśmír, but all to no solemnity, and at the end of it the Gover- purpose; and when a celebrated English doctor, nor-General offered presents to the Maharaja, whom the Governor-General had sent, arrived, the principal of which were & beautiful the Mahârâjâ absolutely refused to be treated portrait of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, by him. He continued, however, to swallow which was much admired and saluted by the the medicines of his own physicians, who rising and bowing of the whole assembly, administered to him oranges, which augmented whereon the artillery boomed a grand salute, his jaundice, sandal, which increased his and the Maharaja took his departare. The headache, and almonds, which intensified bis next day the Governor-General returned the thirst, whilst musk and ambergris produced visit, and the day afterwards the Maharaja fainting, exhilarant drugs made the heart gave a grand banquet to the Governor-General, palpitate, and strengthening potions caused a and they dined together. On the third day the restless liver! Seeing his end close at hand, latter returned the same hospitality to the the Mahârâjâ now summoned his heir appsMahârâjâ, and at the last interview at Firozpur, ront to his bedside, and, appointing him his which took place on the fourth day, the Maha- successor, surrendered the government to him, råjå invited His Excellency to accompany and made Dhyan Singh his wazir. After that, him to Amritsar and to Lahôr. The invitation great numbers of courtiers and servants were having been accepted, they both marched with admitted, to whom alms were distributed, which their armies, first to the sacred city and then were, however, bestowed uot only upon persons to the capital, but wbilst sleeping one night connected with the service of the court, but in the latter, the Maharaja was suddenly included also the poor of the town, and even
thanked hva fit of the disease called laqwa. of one place where Nának had first seen the The Governor-General manifested for him the light of day, and of another where the remains greatest sympathy whilst in Lahor, and the of the founders of the Sikh religion had found Maharaja, recovered sufficiently. to make ar- their last resting place." After having thus rangements for the departure of six thousand | given away twenty five lakhs of rupees in troops, one-half consisting of cavalry and the alms, Ranjit Singh desired to crown his beneother of infantry, with six pieces of artillery, fioence by bestowing the priceless diamond and commanded by Ventura, to Pêshâwar. Koh-i-Nur as a gift upon the temple of RÂm This force was accompanied by Mr. Wade, who Dås, but his heir apparent absolutely refused had some two hundred men, and four pieces to permit such prodigality. The condition of English artillery with ammunition. When of the Maharajâ now became even worse, his the Governor-General, who, as already stated, mind began to wander, his fainting fits was much affected by the calamity of the Maha- became more frequent, his breathing more rája, had been these arrangements executed, he difficult, and he sometimes closed his eyes and left LÅhôr, and returned to Firozpur.
sometimes wept bitterly. 40. The disease, which lasted several months, When the heir-apparent saw that the last had now so enfeebled Ranjit Singh, that only moment had approached, he spread out a a spark of life remained in his body. His com- carpet of Indian khinkhab (or goldcloth) plexion was changed to yellow, his tongue had and of Chinese brocade with ten lúkhs of become mute, his once powerful strength had rupees for alms, and made other arrangements 80 vanished that he was unable to turn from necessary for the impending death-scene. Restone side to the other : he had no appetite, ing upon this carpet the Mahârâjâ expired, his body was emaciated, the laqwa afflicted whereon the whole of the Pañjîb went into him with intense pain, and paralysis de- mourning, and lamentations resounded in the prived him of motion. His court physicians, palace. Some persons wept aloud, some si* Inayat Shah, Nuru'ddin, and Aziza'uddin lently, others struck their breasts, and Dhyan tried their best to cure him, as well as Singh, the wazir of the deceased Maharaja, + Distortion of the mouth and convulsions.
"The two places are Gurdwara-Nankind and Naakt. I Dêra.