Indian Antiquary Vol 20

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

Page 83

FEBRUARY, 1891.)
NOTICE OF THE GULABNAMA.
(L. 15) - Having fearlessly offered his body to the flames; having behaved with the resignation of a most profound ascetic ; (and) having meditated on (the gud) Mabêávara; Sambu attained union with the nymphs of heaven, and became content.
A NOTICE OF THE GULABNAMA.
BY E. REHATSEK.
(Continued from Vol. XIX. p. 303.) The Rajas Suchet Singh and Hira Singh, who worked in perfect unison in punishing the rebels, now raised Dalip Singh to the throne, with Hira Singh for his prime minister, but in a few days the old discord between uncle and nephew broke out again. Their quarrel had originally arisen thua. The Raja Suchết Singh rented the 'ilága of Jasrôtå from the government, while the Raja Hîrå Singh had been presented with it as a jdgir. The late Dhyan Singh had, however, succeeded in keeping peace between them, but they now came to open hostilities and bloodsbed, the chief reason for which was, that the Raja Hira Singh had entrusted Pandit Jalle with the administration of most of the political and financial affairs and the pandit had demurred to the wish of the Raja Suchêt Siógh to increase Rai Kéári Singh's jájir. The Râjâ Suchet Singh was further displeased because Paņdit Jalla had captured and slain Bhai Gurmukha Singh and Misr Beli Râm, the accomplices of Ajit Singh in the murder of the Raja Dhyan Singh, as he foresaw the danger entailed by such an act. He, however, strangely enough, pat aside all the ill-feeling he entertained towards the adherents of the Sardar Lahna Singh and associated with them, which behaviour disgusted Hîrê Singh.
Galáb Singh, informed of this discord, left Jammuó, and started for Lahôr. When he arrived and balted near Shahdara, the Rajâs Hira Singh and Suchết Singh, and all the notable Sardars came from the city to meet him. In Lâhôr he attempted to effect the supersession of Hira Singh, by inducing the Sardårs and Rájás to entrust Suchet Singh with the administration of the government, but they almost unanimously, although politely, refused to comply. He then departed with Suchết Siigh to Jammun, having no dopbt during his brief sojourn in Lahôr become folly acquainted with the critical state of affairs, and prognosticated therefrom that new contests imight soon arise from which it would be best to keep aloof. Having no offspring, and no hopes of obtaining any, Gulab Singh adopted shortly after his return to Jammún, Ranbir Singh as his son. Meanwhile the Raja Bira Singh not only refrained from allowing the young Maharaja Dalip Singh to acquire any influence whatever, but made Pandit Jallá his chief counsellor. This man incurred great hatred by his tyrannical measures, in consequence of which two of the chief officials of the administration, who foresaw that disturbances would arise, retired from it. These were Faqir 'Azizu'ddin, who, leading the life of a recluse, ceased to associate with any one, and Sardar Lahna Singh, who abandoned his position and departed to Benares.
Meanwhile the troops of Gulab Singh, commanded by Diwan Hari Chand, remained encamped in Shahdara, to be employed in case of need by the Râjâ Hirå Singh. But as Peshore Singh, son of Ranjit Singh, entertained rebellious designs and had occupied the fort of Sialkot, Gulab Singh besieged it, with the aid of the Diwan Hari Chand, and the prince fell into their power. Raja Suchet Singh, who aspired to supremacy, had meanwhile been corresponding with the officers of the Khâløa army. The Diwan Jawahir Singh at Lähôr aided him in this matter, which ended in the officers secretly inviting Suchêt Singh to come to the capital. Accordingly he prepared to do so with his intimate friends, Rai Kesri Singh and others, in spite of the remonstrances of Gulab Singh, who at last besought and entreated him in a private conversation not to venture upon so dangerous an undertaking, which must in all probability terminate fatally, and taking off his own turban, placed it before him, but all to no purpose. Sachêt Singh mounted a fleet charger on the pretence of going hunting, but was overtaken by Mian Ranbir Singh and the Diwan Hari Chand, who both endeavoured in vain to persuade him