Indian Antiquary Vol 55

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

Page 49

FEBRUABY, 1926
BOOK NOTICES.
39
to the station, and a red-bearded man came with them. 'Abdulah Shāh asked (of Hir) " Who is this man that is coming in the track of the buffaloes ?” Hir replied, "This is Mião Ranjha.” When he came, 'Abdu'llāh rose. The man said, “In the name of God, 'Abdu'llāh Shāh, you are welcome !” 'Abdu'llāh Shāh said, "All is well, Mián Ranjhā." Ranjhã asked him for his news. 'Abdu'llāh Shāh told him all that had happened to him. Ranjhā said, “Thy pilgrimage is accepted at the (divine) threshold. In the evening I shall take some milk, and bring you into the presence (of the Prophet.)"
Then having filled an earthen pot with milk and lifted it on to his head, he took Abdu'llāh Shah by the hand, and said "Shut your eyes." He shut his eyes. Then Ranjha said. "Now. open your eyes." When he opened his eyes he saw the Apostle of God sitting on his throne. The Prophet saluted him, and his pilgrimage was accepted.
There he saw a certain Kumhär (potter), an inhabitant of Samin, on whom (the Prophet's court) imposed a fine of eighty rupees. After this the Prophet gave his command: "Mian Ranjhā thou art ordered to conduct 'Abdu'llāh Shāh back to his own town." They went out and returned to the Station. Miān Rānjhā said, “Stay here for two days, and drink my buffaloes' milk. Then I will take thee to thy own place." For two days he stayed there : the third day Ranjhă said, "Now give me your hand and then shut your eyes." He gave him his hand and shut his eyes. Then Rānjbā said, "Now let go my hand, and open your eyes." He opened his eyes and found himself standing in the town of Samîn. The whole world saw how 'Abdu'llāh Shāh came. The Kumhār came weeping to 'Abdu'llāh Shah saying, "At such and such a place thieves have broken into the house of a certain carpenter. They brought the track and made it pass by the side of my house, and now the Government says, 'Pay up a fine of eighty rupees.' I am innocent, for God's sake get me off." 'Abdu'llah Shāh said, "It is not for me to get this fine remitted, for it was imposed upon thee in the court of the Prophet's Majesty. Go and pay it."
BOOK-NOTICES. THE ARMY OY RANJIT SINGH, by SITA RAM KOHLI. dent Sikh Chiefs and were transferred gradually Part m. Roprinted from the Journal of Indian to the MaharAja's service, as their respective History, Vol. II, Part II, June 1923.
owners were forced to submit. The Ghorchanah In the issue of this Journal for August 1924, Fauj originated in the wish of Ranjit Singh to bind I had occasion to review Mr. Sita Ram Kohli's the provincial nobility and their trained forces first two papers on the army of the MahArAja more closely to himself and his throne, and by Ranjit Singh. The third paper of the series now 1845 had increased to a large force of about 16,000 lies before mo and deals chiefly with the irregularmen, divided into a multitude of derahs or campe, cavalry, Ghorcharah Fauj, of the Sikh army, which, each under its own Sardar. in the author's words, "represented the old Khalsa The author gives full and interesting details of Military order at the close of the eighteenth the composition and organization, the pay and the century and served as a connecting link between the strength at different periods, of this force, and old system and the one introduced in the Panjab by mentions the curious fact that its ranks were not Ranjit Singh." They were quite distinct and much filled indiscriminately by members.of all or any stronger numerically than the regular cavalry, caste or nationality, but that each group (misal) trained and organized on European lines by General was composed of men of one caste or clan. In cases Jean Francois Allard, who joined the service of of vacancies, this rule was rigidly observed. The Ranjit Singh in 1822 with his comrado, Ventura.. Jagindari Tanj in similarly discussed in detail. This Mr. Kohli quotes contemporary evidence to show to force was raised on the principle well-known in other what a high state of smartness and discipline the parts of India, viz., that each holder of a jagir or latter attained under Allard's command. The fief should furnish a certain number of efficient Ghorcharah Fauj represented that portion of the troops in return for the enjoyment of his fief or irregular cavalry which was paid directly from the holding. This was the principle followed by the Stato treasury, as distinguished from the Jagirdari Maratha Government; it was also followed by the Pauj or feudal mounted forcee, and was divided into Portuguese in the early days of their rule in Western two classes, the Gorcharah Khas, recruited exclusively India, though the obligation to furnish military from the provincial nobility, and the Misaldar service was subsequently commuted for quit. Sowars, who originally belonged to various indepen. 'rent. The last section of the author's peper is