Indian Antiquary Vol 23

SR No.: 032515
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 412
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 16 MB

Page 70

60
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
MARCA. 1894
him, in the direction of Sarhind. Kabnli Mall attempts to enter Lahor, but the Sikhs occupy it in St. 1822, and he marches to the hills of Jammûn and other parts.
The first volumo terminates with an account of Ahmad Shah's last invasion of Indian in consequence of his being informed that the Sikhs had again ousted his officials from their posts and committed depredations. After having, in his turn, committed others and installed new governors, he returns to Afghanistan, where he dies A. H. 1186.14
Vol. II., an account of the Sardárs Chast Singh and Jahan Singh, and detailed
account of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, top to St. 1887 = 4. D. 1830. This volume begins with an account of Chart Singh, the grandfather of Ranjit Singh, who appears as a great freebooter and leader of depredators in ravaging the country. His head-quarters were at Gujranwâlâ in the eila' of Ramnagar, which he fortified, because of the habit of the Sikh chiefs of fighting among themselves for predominance, and uniting only to combat Ahmad Shah when he invaded the Panjab, relnpsing into domestic hostilities as soon as the foreigner ceased to assail them. Besides his contests with Sikh chiefs and Musalman officials, it is recorded of Chart Singh that he was bold enough to enter Lahôr in St. 1822, and to take away a very largo cannon, which, after being dragged about the country, found at last a resting place at Gujrån wala. He died in St. 1827, and was succeeded by his eldest son, Mahan Singh, who was as predatory as himself, and happened to be engaged in beleaguering Sayyidnagar, when the news was brought him that a son, Ranjit Singh, had been born to him on Monday, the 2nd of the month Sangarandmanghar,15 St. 1837. After this joyous event, Mahan Singh continued the extension of his power, took possession of Sayyidnagar, ravaged the hills of Jammun, imprisoned certain rebellious Sikhs, sent troops to aid Raja Sansar Chand, took possession of the fort of Kangra, and again ravaged Jammûn. He then fell sick, but, nevertheless, carried on hostilities against the Bhangi Misal, laid siege to the fort of Sôdhra, till at last he was, on account of disease, compelled to retire with all his artillery and ammunition to Gujranwala, where he died on the 5th of Baisakh, St. 1847. His body, attended by all the Sardárs of the surrounding country, was cremated according to the Sikh fashion, and his son was during the same year installed on his throne. Contentions immediately arose between the two Diwans, Lokhu Mall and Dal Singh, which, however, soon subsided, and the reign of Ranjit Singh, on the whole, began auspiciously. He married in St. 1852, but shortly afterwards Shah Zamân attacked Lahôr for the first time. About this time Chait Singh rebelled at Râmnagar, but was met by Ranjit Singh and slain. Ranjit Singh also had a fight with Shah Zaman, when the latter attacked Lahôr for the second time in St. 1855, and in the following year Ranjit Singh obtained permanent possession of Lahor. In St. 1857 Khark Singh, the first. born son of Ranjit Singh, was born.
In those days Ranjit Singh was constantly moving about in order to extend his power. He besieged and took Akalgash, marched to Fatehabad, where he made alliance with Faten Singh Ahlû walia. He then crossed the Råvi, conquered the fort Chandföt, and made his first appearance before Multan in St. 1860 for the purpose of receiving nazarand. He took possession of Amritsar in St. 1861, where, after a while, Jaswant Singh Kulkar arrived to crave his aid against the English, but was informed that it would by no means be expedient to wage war against them. Ranjit Singh then marched to the Kanga Hills; also again to Multân, and across the Satluj in St. 1863. He conquered Pathankot and Sialkot in St. 1864, after which he returned to his capital at Lahôr and received envoys from Shahjabânâbâd (Dehlf). He next conquered the fort of Shekhûpura, marched to Qaşûr, crossed the Satluj, and had a friendly interview with Metcalfe şahib in St. 1864, = A. H. 1223. Meanwhile Munshi Bishņ Singh had
14 A. H. 1184 according to the Tarikh Sulagni. See ante, Vol. XVI. p. 302.
10 fsic in the MS. of Mr. Rehatsek. He means that Ranjit Singh was born on the 2nd Migh. Sangrand is the Panjabi form of sankrant, and manyhar of magh. - ED.)