Indian Antiquary Vol 55

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Stephen Meredyth Edwardes, Krishnaswami Aiyangar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 25

JANUARY, 1928)
THE SEQUEL TO HIR AND RANJHA
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Haji (pilgrim to Mecca), who told it to the narrator's great-grandfather, Hafiz Ahmad. He was then himself 14 or 15 years of age, and he, Hafiz Ahmad and the Haji all went to see Muhammad Isma'il Khân, the Chief of Jhang Sial, and met his mother, who afterwards became a worshipper at Hir's tomb outside Jhang.
Attached to the story of Isma'il's Grandmother is an introductory note by myself relating that "the family of the Sial Chiefs of Jhang is an old and illustrious one, but it first comes into prominence with the 13th Chief Walidad Khan, who consolidated its fortunes. He died in 1747 A.D. and was succeeded by his nephew 'Inayatu'llah Khân, a man as able as himself, but overshadowed by the then rising Sikh power. He died in 1787 and was succeeded successively by his two sons, Sultan Mahmud Khan and Sahib Khåú. They both came to an untimely end before 1790, when their relative, Kabir Khan, who had married the widow of Sahib Khân, and daughter of 'Umar Khân Siål, succeeded. He came of the line of Jahan Khan, whose children had been ousted by Ghazi Khan, grandfather of Walidad Khải, in the 17th century. This Chicf was a man of mild character, and in 1801 abdicated in favour of his son Ahmad Khân, who was succeeded successively by his sons 'Inayat Khan in 1820 and the present (1884) Muhammad Isma'il Khan in 1838. After the days of 'Inayatu'llah Khan the fortunes of the family sank to a very low point, from which they were partially recovered by the loyalty of Muhammad Isma'il Khai to the British Crown."
To this information may be added some statements from Griffin's Punjab Chiefs (Vol. II, pp. 77 f.) :-"In 1838 Inayat Khan was killed near Rasûlpur, fighting on the side of Diwan S&wan Mal against Raja Gulab Singh [of Jammg]. His brother (Muhammad] Isma'il Khan went to Lahore to endeavour to obtain the confirmation of the jagir in his favour, but the Maharaja was paralytic, and Gulab Singh, his enemy, in the ascendant, and he only obtained & pension of Rs. 100 a month. He remained at Lahore four years till his pension was discontinued, and he then returned to Jhang, where he lived upon an allowance of Rs. 41 a month granted to the family by Sawan Mal. This was raised in 1848 to Rs. 60.
"In October 1848, Major H. [Sir Herbert] Edwardes wrote to [Muhammad] 'Isma'il Khan directing him to raise troops in behalf of Government and to collect the revenue of the district. The poor Chief, hoping the time was come when loyalty might retrieve his fortunes, raised a force, and descending the river, attacked and defeated a rebel Chief, 'Ata Muhammad, at NikokAra. Afterwards, when Sardar Sher Singh Atariwala had passed through Jhang, and had left Deoraj in command of one thousand men there, 'Isma'il Khan attacked this detachment several times with varying results. His Jamadár [Commander) Pir Kamal, of 'Is& Shah. captured at the fort of Târuků another rebel Chief named Kahan Das. Thus 'Isma'il Khan, the representative of a long and illustrious line of Chiefs, stood out bravely on the side of the Government. His influence was great in the district and was all used against the rebels. His services were especially valuable at a time when it was inexpedient to detach a force against the petty rebel leaders. After annexation 'Isma'il Khan was made Risaldar of the Jhang Mounted Police; but his services were, through inadvertance, overlooked, and it was not till 1856 that he received a pension of Rs. 600 for life. Three wells were also released to him and his male heirs in perpetuity. .
"In 1857 the services of the Chief were conspicuous. He aided in raising a force of cavalry, and served in person against the insurgents. For his loyalty, he received a khil'at of Rs. 500 and the title of Khai Bahadar; and his yearly grant of Rs. 600 was raised to Rs. 900, with the addition of a jagir of Rs. 950 for life. In 1860 his pension was, at histown desire, exchanged for a life jagir.
"In 1879 Muhammad] 'Isma'il Khan's case again came under the consideration of Government. Having regard to the position and influence of the Sial family, and to the steadfast loyalty and good conduct of its Chief, Sir Robert Egerton [Lieut.-Governor of the