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 81

MARCH, 1894.]
A NOTICE OF THE UMDATU'T-TAWARIKH.
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among the Sikh factions until Jawâhir Singh, the maternal uncle of Dalip Singh, succeeded in usurping the supreme power. The Pandit Jalla, as the counsellor of Hira Singh, had, of course, incurred the displeasure of the Rani Chanclai, Dalip Singh's mother, and she intrigued with the troops to insist on luis removal; but instenu of yielding to this demand, Hira Singh Hled with him from Lahor, bnt, being overtaken by the troops, they were both slain. After the death of Hira Singh, Jawahir Singh wits proclaimed wozir with much ceremony, and received nazaranas. Prince Péshôra Singh, another son of the Maharaja Ranjit Singh, now aspired to sapremo power, and took possession of the fort of Alak, but Jawahir Singh had him slain there. In consequence of this event a deputation of Sikh officers waited upon the Mahârînî, categorically demanding her presence with Jawahir Singh near the troops. The people of the town were much frightened by this bold demand, but the Maharani obeyed the summons, and when Jawahir Single had arrived with her in front of the Sikh lines he trembled for fear, and was confused. Great excitement was manifested by the troops at the mere sight of Jawahir Singh, which made the Mabarani address the officers, saying that her brother was guilty of the prince's death, but that he ought to be pardoned, as he had thrown himself upon their mercy. She appealed to the sacred writings and promised large bribes, but without avail. They ordered Dalip Singh's elephant-driver to make the animal kneel down, upon which Dalip Singh was removed from the howdah and Jawahir Singh forth with shot dead with a carbine. To the maledictions which the Maharani then heaped apon the Khålså troops, they merely replied that now she had some idea of the distress felt by the mother of Peshôrâ Singh. The spot being unsuitable for cremation, she desired to convey the corpse of her brother to Lahor, so that the sati of his wives could take place, but the troops demurred, saying that they might easily be brought from the citadel. At last, however, the Mahârânî took the corpse to the Bagh Badâmî, while she went to the citadel, where she caused the satis to be dressed and adorned with jewellery. She started back with the procession of the mourning women, but was not allowed to go farther than the Ghariali Gate, while the satis continued their walk and reached the funeral pyre. So she was obliged to mount to the octagonal tower of the Gate and witness the proceedings thence. The Khalsa troops insalted the satis, teiling them that other widows were weeping because their husbands had been slaughtered like sheep, and violently tore off all the ornaments from their bodies, before they allowed them to immolate themselves.
After this the Maharani assembled such of the troops as still sided with her, and declared that she would henceforth herself assume the reins of government, and carry on the administration with the aid of Diwån Dinanath. Nevertheless, she seated Baja Lal Singh on the throne in a darbár she had assembled, and enjoined all present to obey him.
This volume ends with the remark that the original account of the war of the Sikhs with the Sahibs of high dignity (i. e., the English) from the beginning of Kartik St. 1902 to the 11th of Phậgan St. 1902, had been lent by the author to Sir Herbert Edwardes Bahadur, and had never been returned.
This unfortunate incident has prevented the preservation of a probably uniquely valuable account of those memorable events.
Vol. V., a diary from 2nd Phagun St. 1902 to 7th Chait 1907 (1845 to 1849 4. D.) On Friday the 11th of Phagun, about evening, the Lât Şahibs arrived with the Maharaja Dalip Singh Bahadur and sent him into the citadel of Lihör. Then Lawrence Şahib arrived with a European regiment, encamped at the Badshah Masjid, and placed watchmen at three gates of the citadel. On the 14th Raja Lal Singh and Sardar Téj Singh arrived with their regiments and amicable intercourse between them took place. These events are recorded in the minutest detail in the text.
Lal Singh was removed from the position of Diwân by the British Government and imprisoned, and an assurance was given to the Maharani that her government would be supported. She