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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[JUNE, 1891.
would spare the lives of the garrison, but treacherously attacked and slew it, as soon as it came out from the fort. The ring leader of the rebellion was one Gauhar Raḥman who had conquered Gilgit and sold his captives into slavery. He was ultimately subdued.
Jast at this period, when Gulîb Singh's troops were fully occupied at home, Colonel Lawrence sent him a kharita to the effect, that as the rebels of the Hazara district were again disturbing it, he ought as quickly as possible to despatch some forces there. Hesent four regiments which acquitted themselves so well that they earned the approbation of the British government. Meanwhile Jawahir Singh, who was of an ambitious turn of mind, had been reminded by some of his turbulent friends, that when the English authorities settled the government they had not increased his jdgir by adding to it Jasrote with other estates that had belonged to the late Raja Hira Singh, and that his journey to Lähôr had remained fruitless. Maulavi Mazbar 'Ali, who was in the service of Gulîb Singh and had become intimate with Jawahir Singh through 'Abdullah Khân the Afghån, also persuaded him that he might obtain one-half of the dominions of Gulab Singh. This man's intrigues, however, ended in his captare by the English when he was in Peshwar for the purpose of enlisting men in the Swat district and his deportation to the Pañjab, where he was imprisoned. Jawahir Singh then went again to LÂhôr in the hope of inducing Sir John Lawrence to make him independent of Gulab Singh, whose vassal he was, but could not succeed, and so he at last made preparations for hostilities which proved to be of no avail in consequence of the precautions taken by Galab Singh.
The Maharaja Gulab Singh had, on a former occasion, when suffering from his chronic malady, informed Colonel Lawrence of his wish to entrust Ranbir Singh with the entire administration of the government, and had met with the Colonel's acquiescence. Accordingly he placed, on the 6th of the month Phagun, St. 1912, his adopted son Ranbir Singh upon the throne of dominion, and pat with his own hand the saffron-mark on his forehead. The same day also the author of this book was elevated to the rank of Diwin, received a costly dress of honour, and a handsome inkstand from the Mahârâjâ Gulab Singh. The ceremony of installation, to which also the officers of the cantonment of Sialkot had been invited, took place at Mandi, where a darbár was hold, in which all the notables were present, and the father of the author delivered a speech, reminding the young sovereign of his duties towards his subjects, and recommending him to be loyal to the British government. After that day the Mahârâjâ Gulab Singh altogether retired from public affairs, and abandoning all worldly pursuits prepared himself for death. He departed to the delightful abode of Kasmir, and being troubled also by gout in the hip, fainted one day from weakness whilst bathing. Ranbir Singb, having been apprized of his condition, at once hastened from Jammun to pay him a visit. Just then the Parbia troops in the service of the English burnt the cantonments of Mérath10 (Meerut) and Dehli, killed their officers, and mutinies were spreading all over India. The Maharaja Gulab Singh immediately despatched his Diwân to Råwal Pindi, where Sir John Lawrence, the Chief Commissioner of the Pañjab, happened to be at that time, in order to place the whole of his army and treasure at the disposal of the British government as a proof of his loyalty. He also placed the forts in his possession, but more especially the stronghold of Mangala at the disposal of the English troops, and promised to give & cordial welcome to the ladies sojourning in the mountain retreat of Mahî (Murree), who were invited to Kaśmir to remain there in safety. Sir John Lawrence accepted the offer, desired the Diwan Hari Chand to tako command of the troops, and to send ten ldkhs of Srinagari rapees.
When the Maharaja Gulab Singh felt his end approaching, he one day gave instructions to the Paņdit Sib Sankar for the arrangements to be made for his funeral. He also reminded the author of this book that he had been ordered to write a biography of the Maharaja, but had not yet found time for the work, and hod that he would not fail to execute it after his demise. The condition of the Mahåråjâ gradually became worse, and a burning fever attacked
A. D. 1855.
1. On the 11th May 1867.
