THe POGRA DEBACLE IN CENTRAL ASIA AND ITs APTERMATHE strea , 2x taken 4, His raid was so cautious and rapid that the by surprise. Tebels there were Wn, er ont army Hen Kachu Haidar Khan got the intelligence Khay.™ Katchun, he gave up the idea of batile ay a Dimvad. of the: Which Puche fort," | The Wazir reached Tskardu and set sede Up in Work, Spntinued for, several days. But the Wazir's “486,£0 the fort,, Who ke, te then purchased the commander of the unit guardin” sid not CompicPt the gare open. The garrison was taken by {qmndins the gate mornjaccly annihilated The fort was captured by the Dostant rae With fi, Kachu Haidar Khan had to escape. but was cage aay BY # his’ g0 companions and sent to Jammu, along The . ha Wazir Lakhpat_set fire to Khar-puche and razed é azed on EOMPleted the new fort on the top of a hill, foundation rounds who ae laid by Wazir Zorawar Singh. He appointed Bhs hich S swan Singh. ed from his Niali confinement as then? oer the nentbeen released fi 'S_ the commander of new ii json of 300 men. ‘3 aie garrige® FOF! with a garriso! mn. For the maintenance of thes Kind $0? he levied, in addition to. the Raja’s cesses, so whit the form of certain quantities of wheat, butier, ich Were to be collected by the Raja of Iskardu and Barrison, No mzcarana ot revenue was to be cl e.28 me new ones in salt and fodder handed over to harged from the Muhammad Shah was confirmed in his‘Rajaship of Iskardu a is Powers and prerogatives Were not interfered with. The Rare of Kuen and Kurrus were confirmed .and their jagirs were continued as before. Baja Ali Sher Khan was maintained in his jagit of Kartatohsho Son larly Ahmad Khan Raja of Tolti was retained in his javir, After settling affairs at_Iskardu and Shigar Wazir Lakhpat attacked the Raja of Rondu who submi(ted and. surrendered his son-as hostase - The rebel Raja of Astor was also hambled and reinstated in his offic. He captured all the rebel leaders and carried them along.?® He set up garrisons in the forts of Kargil, Dras and Suru for the defence of ae In short, Wazir Lakhpat’s expedition met with a singular success and the administration he set up in Baltistan and ?urig became the foundation for future government, -d Zanskar captured the Gyalpo Cheymur and his family. ang assolnted Mehta Basti Ram the thanadar of Zanskar and also built a new fort there. The haunts of rebels were thus demolished and the whole of Baltistan, Purig and Zanskar was reduced to complete ie submission before Wazir Lakhpat left for Jammu with a crowd of Prisoners and hostages."? 94. Ibid. 95. Ibid. p. 411. 96. Ibid.,p 413. 97. Ibid., p. 414.RAs U ae ‘4 SHORT HISTORY OF JAMM! _ i oP e Thus the territories 1, E f Genesal Zorawar Si? Pye defeat and death were successfully’ retrieved bY Gulab SingB:,,can wisely directed the expedition against the rebels and the Ti2 of invaders. In a short space of three months all the territor! red. Baltistan, Ladakh and Zanskar were reclaimed and recond4' rer- sae eT reese became ‘an integral part of Jammu Raj _by 8). heing national treaty. Gulab Singh succeeded appreciably well in enh his prestige as military commander and conqueror. Anglo-Dogra Rivalry in Central Asia When General, Wazi ingh conquered Ladakh 4G Baltistan during 1834" ang “(eao. the Batish “found no excuse AY aeerlons’ Gor wete,these conquests considered by them in an¥ ore sper end ac rtish | interests.*® Surprisingly, it was the LG eg Darbar and not the British Government. which became concerned OYS¢ the affair at that time, and the latter only noticed that Gulab Sing commercial regulations interfered with the regular supply of sha Wi Yool and “the grasping ambition of the favourites” caused R: Singh some misgivings ‘amidst all their protestations of devotion aN loyalty. The British Thad not felt as much concerned over the eee * Gere tie: Qh the Ladakhi and Balti territories in spite of the (fe, that the Gyalpos of these territories had offered to tender thet allegiance and sought British protection. But the representation ion the chiefs of these countries remained unheeded, and the British government thought it better to stick to its previous policy of On interference and the British Governor General instructed G R- oe Cihat there can be no reason for interference on the part of his Government.” However they had not at all relished these encroach- ments of Dogras, yaace the question of Yarkand they could not remain passive as Nese negotiations over the first Opium War were taking an amicable tum and so theye ia etkweatiihat Dogra invasion of Warkand should in any way cause them embrassment. So _ the British Agent at Lahore Darbar recommended to the Sikh Maharaja” to require Raja Gulab Singh to desist from his designs on Yarkand,” because the British authorities were of the opinion that Gulab Singh had opened squabbles with Yarkand, seized Garoo in Chinese Tibet (thus monopolising trade in shawl-wool), and made the frontier of Jammoo conterminous with that of the Goorkhas in Nepal, no great friends of the English Empire in India., The success of Dogra arms in Tibet therefore alarmed the British. ‘By making @ thrust into Western Tibet”, observed a British political agent, ‘*Raja 38. Wade to Government, 27th Jan., 1835 ; Vigne, Travels in Kashmir and Tibet 11, 352. ind Governor-General to G.R. Clerk, 1-3-1841, Pol. Consul. For Deptt, T3484t No, 129. 99, 100. 101. avardes & Marivale, Life of HM. Lawrence, pp. 225-26of obtaining accurate and early _intelligence,405 =e THE DOGRA DEBACLE IN CENTRAL ASIA AND 115 AFTERMATH 223 Gulab sin; irous of i it gh_ was desirous of acquiring territory, 0 monopolising the trade in shawl-wool,t02"Y? 224 he was also intent Ranjit Singh had also realised the vaiy fnderstanding with Nepal, but he had discours: om his trans-Himalawan expenditions for wilitary power. But after his death the need for g@',the Chinese (th Nepal. was felt Keenly, because the Lahore’ kinsehe oopetation horougly isolated and gradually encircled on. sil sides. These? tPlomats therefore concluded that the real Dome’ British 1 “real aim of th ‘aklakot was to establish direct relations with Nepal Poara capture of some sort raged Zorawar “ing Promoting a mutually advantageous alliance 30" qngPalin the hope of BERS positively emphasised the fact that Zorawar. Senor Of British i chain of forts from Ladakh to the borders of Manteguty) Rseavouring to gain Nepal’s cooperation in this marten nget aud Was epal hoped to” convert this alliance into'a meang of Kumaon, As stated earlier, Gulab Singh’s chief object in th Ladakh was two fold: to encircle the Kashmir Valley, and to aia Ccess to the lucrative wool trade. With Ladakh in his hands all fa ad to do was to enforce Ladakh’s ancient claim to Wot t ; Would give him the complete control which he desitea °* Tibet which Be rte fear of the British aay however w: the realisation. of the prospect of a Dogra-Sikh-Nepali as Wazir Zorawar Singh marked his entry in Titetan Frertoryite jforming and occupying the frontier, military post of Rudok on Tune e gi4120° The British officials received the intelligence of "Zmnwet Singh’s military exploits in Tibet with deep concern, “Mi G.K° Clerk Conveyed on 15th June, 1841, the first report of a collision having Sceurred between the troops of Zorawar Singh and the mulite of Bashahr at some place near the frontier of Ladakh. He also Femarked on the designes' of Wazir Zorawar Singh on Kanwar ang Rudok and suggested interference.” ‘as readily stimulated In order to remain well posted on the forces in Tibet the British authorities th Officer to some advance point on Proceedings of the Dogra ‘ought of deputing a British the frontier for the purpose ‘Consequently, 102. Clerk to Governmant, Sth and 22nd June, 1841, 103. Suri, V.S. Umdat-ut-Tawarikh, Eng. trans , p. 282, 104. Political Proceedings, June_12, 1837, No, 41; Wade to Chief Secretary Fort William-N.A.L., New Delhi, 105, Seeret Consultations, September 13, 1841, No, 20, Lushiagton to Secretary, Govt. of N.W.P,, August 25, 1841N.A1., New Delhi 106. Secret Consultation, December 20, 1841. No, 40, National Archives of India New Delhi. 107. ORPS, 151/67, No. 85 of 15-6-1841, G.R. Clerk to TH, Maddock. 108. ORPS, 54/17, Lunshington to G.R, Clerk, 15-7-1841, and 128/125, of 16-8-1841.| 224 i inted 2 Lieutenant Joseph Davey Cunningham was appoint the British frontier, i * on . inquit® 1841. Gre nmeham’s deputation to the borders of Ladakh to. i the maiter.199 “y had captured the lat an Yark ments and nature and ramification of trade between Ladakh and between aa Ag J.D. ji Ore into Maharaja Sher Singh was also apprise’ 11+ Singh Cunningham left Simla on October Sing! He was instructed ‘to i an oy or his subordinates advancing on Rudok, Gartok and M: the number and des, s ct eerawal owed inquire the intentions of Wazir Zoi a 7 his -och- cription of troops with which he on BIS oan ler place, the cause and pretext of n Bashahr and Ladakh.2” inane ed the On reaching the border of Kanwar Cunn gham observer eyed close quarter all the military movements of Dogras d similar Cer of intelligence to the British authorities who also received simtssione®, Of from their representatives at Kathmandu, Re tsofthe situa Kumaon and other sources. Posted with all the factalold eae they assessed Dogca conquest of the regions of Tibet a gi to their interests 0 st with those which Were found to bein conflict with « Dogras and the Sikhs. British Pressure for Recall of Zorawar Singh aa a i he British | that From the begining of the Tibetan episode, opinion iit were apprehensive af Cline. octave and were of tne tne Sikhs: ; China will not vtew with indifference the seizure pic “Governor-General They therefore let the Darbar understand. that_ the u troops from t ay Probably insist on the return of the Sikh or Jhmnmi scene of their aggression. The reply € ived. 2 Quite a vague answer to this protest was receive had been egarding the conquest" was, that £0" seriain biyiapereed the tribes Borde Out that Zorawar Singh had probably. co: bordering on Ladakh for their carelessness. officials The Secret, of allowing th. that quarter. to require forthwith n i \¢ danger lary to the Government of India was alive to aes oai e i ,Silths and Gulab Singh to establish, their, antRority Ne took a stern stand and authorised Mr. Cleric Formally the Maharaja recall Zorawar Singh and his detachment Mr, Clerk launched a strong protest wit 109, ; 91841. ORPS, 155/131, G.R, Clerk to Maharaja Sher Singh, 28-9- 110, oningham, Sez. Cons. Fr. Dept, 25 Ost, 141, No. 25, Cle fo Cunningham. TIL. ORPS. 54,6. No, 3, dated 24-1841, ‘B.1L Hodeson. GR Clerk, Reet NWI ed 16-8-1841, T.H. 112, ORps, 124/137, pp. 2740, Latter No. 108, dated, 168-1844; Ti Maddock, Secretary to the Govt. of India J yaet3 Geeta 13. OnPS/153/43, pp, 131d, Letter No, 140, dated 9-918 i ir to Rai Govind 7 P. 129, letter No. 1, dated 23-5-1841, Lahore Darbar to 0-9-1841, TAH. 2. Lotter No, 1307, dated 2! ant Minsaic USP co the Government of tata 0 G-1e, Clerk, Agen NWF, 14,THE DOGRA DEBACLE IN CENTRAL ASIA AND ITS AFTERMATH, Against Zorwar Singh’s encroachmenis and a i enew: , galinese Tartary (Tibet). He also suggested to re loption of peremptory measures. with the Darbar’ fy coverBment the Zorawar Singh on account of his aggressions.us ‘°" ‘Withdrawal __ The Maharaja Sher Singh took it easy and ae Singh wanted to give ample time to his. brother, Qeeguaister, Dhion &S much territory as Was possible"? They, thereiee SM to take Satisfactory replies about Zorawar Singh's activities“ juctBer_gave themselves to the British demand of withdrawal of zoo", committed i impatient. British Government conld not wait forte? Slngh. ts e representation to Lahore court. They fixed the 10th Desemrswts Of 5 the date by which the Governor-General Lord Ausgyeomeet> 1841 ‘orawar Singh's Dogra troops Would withdraw ind, expected __ Maharaja Sher Singh justified the proceedings of Was; Singh, but at the same time he also committed “that omit Zorawar issued’ for his return to the usual position ‘as required ears hve been Government." y the British The Maharaja was even obliged to own that Zo 8 he had in ignorance of the treaties between ihe Lekore acted British Governments. The Khalsa Government then eae dicccting Zorawar to return to Ladakh and to send Kearse Ge Lehore.” But Wazir Zorawar Singh had apparently not received sent 18th November, the orders of the Lahore Darbar directing ‘hime > Withdraw to.” Ladakh." Sheikh Gulam Mobieudcde ie from Cashmere that Wazir Zorawar Singh “was ported still o} ; of Ladakh owing to the fall of snow, but was See that Place.™*2 The Dogra Rejas and thelr General Zorawar Singh, Tesented all this interference by the British Government my a affair. They did not relish the idea of relinquishing their Tibetan conquests. But they could not side-track the desire of their overlord Maharaja Sher Singh. Differences between the Maharaja and hig minister Raja Dhian Singh, over rhe Tibetan affair had appeared. The =e 115. ORPS, 152/48, pp. 138-46, Letter No. 146, dated 22-9-1841, G.R. Clerk, Agent NWE. ‘ 116. Bajpai, S.C. The Northern Frontier of India, 1970, p, 43, 1. ORPS, 152/49, pp. 146-49, Letter No. 147, dated 28.9-1841 ; S UIT ASSIST, Leteor No, 138, dated laio-teai, “Ned 28-9-1841 5 152/54, pp. 118. ORPS, 155/132, p. 140, dated 19-10-1841, G.R, Clerk to Maharaja Sher Singh. 119, ORPS, 155/133, pp. 134 to 138a, dated 31-10-1841, Maharaja Sher Singh to GR. Clerk, Agent, NWF. 120. ORPS, 155/134, pp. 138a-140a ; 155/134, pp. 140a-41a, Maharaja Sher Singh to Rai Kishan Chand, 121, ORPS, 113)5, dated 18-11-1841, Cunningham to G.R. Clerk. 122. Punjab Akhbars, No. 613, dated 22-11-1841,| 226 A SHORT HISTORY OF JAMMU RAJ | Maharaja had desired Fakir Aziz-ud-din to wrlte uw letter on His | Highness’ pari to Mr. Clerk stating the urgency of the Maharaja's orders to recall Wazir Zorawar Singh from the scene of new conquests 1 agalnst the will of the Rajas to which the Fakir replied that suc \| letter would only exhibit a difference between His Highness and hi | minister and produce no benefit.2* In the face of British protests and the ‘Maharaja's anxiety to back | | np the British demand, Raja Dhian Singh was left with no othe | alternative than to seek British cooperation in the Dogra designs tan | jj | Tibet. He tried to entice British authorities in the plan of Tibet | conquests by suggesting that the Sikh and British Gvernments show | | Cooperate against the Chinese Raja Dhian Singh even convel’ | his ‘personal suggestion to the British authorities that “were 4% invasion to be undertaken in great force on this frontier of China oS a jal t Concert with the British Government, it would be very beneficial both the allied Governments.”1%5 These approaches, however, were discouraged by the Bait | officials and Raja Dhian Sigh had at last to order the Wazir to T! on | Hongdikh. The Wazir in consequence recalled all his officers and (007 | | from advance posts, But he still retained the possession of ll M conduests. At the same time he greatly regretted the receipt of My Pane neg ePorted to Raja Dhian Singh, denying any interfere, Pit the Almora and Kumaon districts, and informed them that 1 fad withdravin all his troops. from near that ‘country and, tt, fe | \| Will rotten fold now be effected owing to the fail of snow, DU | | Dergtuys bimselP to Ladakh without fail. The Paryanas from LAlory | Darbar directing Zorawar Singh to withdraw to Ledge were FOrWdad Py TH tnnlim through Lieut. 3.D. Cunningham. the Lahore Dat que Hromnately acquiesced in the British demand of withdeawal of coDd! oops and the relinquishment of new eonucers | THE CONFLICT OF INTERESTS west The real causes for the British i ion i 2 cil 7, Dogs i | Troe et are NOt far to seek, “The Brish commercial iM he and Bashahr have been presume be one te plains The lucrative shawl-wool trade ad Boch aig from the we in pa North-Western Tibe:) through Ladakh to ‘Be rginf on a The hostilities and the Subsequent disorders Atty the il nro! ages Of Ladakh since 1834 had temporarily dive" ok shawl-wool trad 5; ea upto of Western Tibet ei peashahe. The initial effect of the Op wo! i Dogras was a's in the How Srypalt probaphe is, Of Bashahr. The offenne oP india, COMRat Propably tesented this slump and the Commissions of KumBa0! oe ane Fs GN O17 dated 25-11-1841, »- 255 a, CH pet A Ra aay 5 Pana agen, eit Maddock, Sccretzgte the Govt ars, 1839-40, p. 254, dated 22-11-1841.‘THE DOGR. A DEBACLE IN CENTRAL ASIA AND ITS AFTERMATH 207 to the len, tl gth of snggesting “the i Bye usth of s ggesting “the interference of the British i aes Paes nae is at present at a ore ss aad ace feree tured to unch an effective protest in the matter with the Cunning forgtaningham took great pains in collecting dat might hace aT Pertaining to Bashabr Mende godt We Cree ingh *n produced on it by the late _proceedi ee eee ogra oe and report on injurious effects on trade of the Perearenation of Western, Tibet AL ‘middle of 1842, and complained injustice which the Bashahr and Kanawari traders had suffered Tadefet ft the hands ‘of Sikhs since they possessed themselves of Aft - Question of withdrawal of Dogra claims on Western Tibet the Ruthowtiee! pumderTibetan trade had to be taken up with Lhasa rowers The Lhasa Wazir, Zoorkung ascured Cunningham of giving Seishin tracess a8 belores. bot ‘anounced that if the trade in ot Laagcol through Bashahe arose Subsequent to the Sikh occupation ‘ts aan apg discontinued. Although Cunningham stressed nt that the trade had been in existence for upwards of 20 years, seems to hy ish Government did not give it much serious thought. It The eougshave been aware of the fact shat flow of trade in hills followed regu dictated by convention vet J topographical factors rather than sh Government was finally informed of the possibility of *xisting 4; Tibetans coming to an understanding to adjust their Woo} tha differences ‘on terms baset opoly of the shawl- stiitics Gan savour of Kashmir via "With the cession of denlilties between the Dogras and Tibetans, the old trade relations ‘i rel¥een Leh and Lhasa, which the wars had for a fine upset, Nets 5 i ie the Zhe B he Sikhs an ston foun ney the ‘treaty signed on 22nd Septembes, eres realy signed OF “ncient ustae te, Pusha ane shawl- ‘That no person from Woot Lada pitt! be transmitted by the Ladakh r0ad aa ne ee British Abit Tiber and vice-versa will be obstru 1 26. ORBS, 128/140, pp, 292-94 dated 17-8 1841) 7 ‘Thomason to GR. Clerk. L eal: 152080,,p 213 Zetia NG 7, REPS. etter No, 4, dated 13: ORPS, 113, 97-29, Letter No. 8, dated 4-12-1841, Canningbam to Se Csge nt ORPS, 113 44, Letter No. 35, dated 50-7-1842. /36, pp. 136-44, 2 Asuj_ 1899 which. Diwan Ki i mama, p. 26% sivet an Kirpa’ Ram tn, Gulalwaties Ravcuiton, Tremlet, eee reas 15 august 1842, Corresponds to 22 September, 2. he coy 1 ee forwarded. by. Raja oy isha a TRE coy af ety foraided quis vo Clesk APs orsign 24 Mav, 1843, Nos, 61-63 ; *panikkar, pp. $4 129, 30 Secret, 26 May, 1843 Nos. 61 63. Erskine t ine to Clerk, 1 April, 1843. F Sapru, Appendix f ; Cunainghams PP an, Sage or. Secret 320-21uRM 208 ‘A SHORT HISTORY OF JAM : . a This seme Govrrnment raised no objections to this trade settlements exhibit the to have been just_an excuse for the British Government 19 cy had displeasure of the Dogra-Sikh forward policy in THE! Wo” gale Ueatened their political position. In fact, they bad trae interests in Tibet, except those of local nature, and this 12 crn both sides of the border continued as usual even a! vealed 7 shahr, as TeV ‘The one interest of the British authorities in Bas ae ‘as Bt by contemporary records, was the safeguarding of that Sr realy of Kumaon which they had acquired from Nepal by 0 ocmed.® Sangul of 1810." The westwards thrust of Dogra FO", on if threaten Bashahr frontier and their reported agarose’, jaa i fringes caused some misunderstanding. As.early a8 Jam Shane, My British authorities had suspected Sikh invasion. of D'S g.1-18) their doubts were set_ at rest by the intelligence received OF ayenttlig that the mvasion of Bashahr by the Sikh forces will be Fr warns Howevar the Lahore Government was given an emphite ion of that the British Government will not countenance any 258°" Singh Part or that of its ministers, Raja Dhian Singh and HassUrance? ge that frontier. In response the Darbar gave anes gr0ssioNs directed its Vakil, Lala Chuni Lal, to see that no” 85° p shal committed by the State of Lahore on the borders | OF or infil However, some minar complaints had arisen on acco ment of the frontier of Bashahr by a small party. part e The British officials demanded the punishment by {6 q sul) the official commanding this aggressive party for ie have 4S: money from the village", The Maharaja seems Kest@ British authonites to redress these complaints and that Ti sp Who crossed the Sutlej into Almora District, would in Pia. 03 8 | pit Rola of Bashar also put up his claims “on two Vil SS pit Pin and Gheo. which was now under Dogra occupa nis Ladakh, After looking into the matter Cunningham Te) on Gheo but upheld that on Pin, af yas DOt yithh Jt seems that the Dogra involvement in Bashahr W&4-ons Wl feared.” This affair may have been pressed beyond proPatt,” jn view to heighten the gravity of the Dogra forward Pe awab wt and justify ‘the British demand for Zorawar Singh’s Wi a? ane fussiiyas e vate Se 132. Col, J. Nicholis to C.M. Ricketts, Principal Private 09.1842. 1815, No. 44, Historical Papers Relating to Kumaot | (Allahabad, 1956) p. 30 by B.P. Saxena, 133. Press lists of old Records, etc , p. 105, $, No. 447+ a ete, p. 105, S, jock, 134. ORPS, 128/109, p. 222, dated 1-2-1841, TH. Madd as Govt. of India, to G.R. Clerk, Agent, N.W.E- oan 135. ORPS, 155/102, pp, 113-15, Sent to the Indian corer 18 136. ORPS, 125/172, pp. 349-50, Letter No, 1430, date Maddock Secretary to Govt, of India to Clerk. 137. ORPS, 155/136, p. 141, dated 31-10-1841, from British News-writer at Lahore to GR. Clerk. ent gio pom ralam™ IE DOGRA DEBACLE IN CENTRAL ASIA AND ITS AFTERMATH The Real Apprehensions The Dogra Sikh invasion of Tibet had threatened the politi e eI f et e political paicesis of the East India Company, and its officials Senin genuine suspicion the rapid march of Bogra armies across the world’s ae ENE a The capture by Dogras of Taklakot, close to the I an e Nepal caused real anxiety to ‘the British Indian Government. Ta it Umeasy, consternation, they reacted violently to the Dogra Movements. |The increasing. power ‘and prestige of Dogra Rajas. ae larly of Raja Gulab Singh, was unsavoury to British rulers of Gulab Singh had not only_establishe: Province, but had entrenched his power pi.ttying to spread his influence ‘through Biitsh protection, through matrimonial negotiations. le marriage of the daughter of the Raja of Bashahr to his son- loreover, he was claiming. the customary presents frorn Lahul, Kulu ipalities ‘used to make to the Ladakhi king in his influence." -d himself firmly in Jummu in Ladakh and Baltistan. He out the hill states under He had negotiated 138 #2 Spiti which these princi Past, in order to increas the danger of the . _ The Britis ainfully alive to #] increasing Denon garding tke Dogra. intentions in Tibet they were of the opinion that Raja, ule? Singh ‘had no furthur etct, in sending his troops t0 ‘Chinese Tartary than to institute Eiluiicg, iene ie tne or, the, country, withy ne Um nna of Sao Stablishing a hill soverignty. Thus the Britis ‘ties had come tothe concltsion that QheDowe rad mosoment cast, dangerous Brith jatWeen the Sikhs and the Nepalese would be dang interests, i was a great political compli- BES Ney rapproachtn atish Government in India, int of the British Cato, a n which could have endangered, €™ aedinal ps Br om the Gorkha War of 1814-16, the oration of Nepal from other ie by the approach of Policy H Felicy towards Nepal was the politi rave bY Tan states. The situation Was mac a" “When Raja Gulab Singh ‘h 1 aim was to extend gra for eo ie SS rees near the border Of i Nquered Ladakh, it was rumoured ‘that his eal : i Frontier of Indias ‘Anlied Publishers Private 138, Bajpai, $.c, Tie Northern Limited, Bombay 1970, P. 4 sural Asi 100600 1960, P- 6: 10, Ane ea tin and Chine a 172-18 Captain Soash LaRS teay Bomwwet 1 Os 140. ORPS, Bundle No. 41B, 5.2 er LR, Clerk, Agent arene Asstt. ie lerk, Agent N.W.F. 38, 4-9-1841, trl 141. RPS, 152/41, pp. 127-30 att NSjaadoa 84. Gy to the Govt. of a Meerut, 28 Sept. 1841 ; Governor General, NV ty ee c. 2. Minute by the Lt, Gover®0™, ay, NOs Foreign Secret, 11 October 1eAhy230 ‘A SHORT HISTORY OF JAMMU Ray borders of Lahore kingdom to verge on Nepal in the hope of promot. ing a mutually advantageous alliance," and having a direct contact with the Hindu power. It was conjectured that Nepal hoped to obtain from their alliance a means of recapturing Kumaon_ which he had | lost to the company after the Anglo-Nepali war of 1814-15. One | important aspect of British interests in Kumaon was the desire to put a wedge of Company-controlled territory between these two powerful states. The British fears concerning Nepal were | when a Nepali delegation had been well received in Lahore. establishment of a Dogra post at Taklakot made the situation ert and the British Government decided not to allow the Lahore @ Nepal dominions to march with one another behind the Himalay@: It was thought that the pending negotations in the opium war wit China migh ‘be affected by the presence of Dogras in Tibet. Before all these events could combine to jeopardise British ihterests, 4 authorities decided to act. They demanded the withdrawal of 1 Dogra General Zorawar Singh and his troops from Tibet, | | When they were informed that the Lhasa troops were already engt in tepelling the encroachment of Zorawar Singh, Cunningham". | | Assured that ‘there will be no. objection to restoring Garo to tne Lb authorities if they do not recover it themselves." AE easing since 1837, od 1 ‘The s d ) | r ¢ ¢ | , The Government of East India Company thus apprehende umber of alignments against British interests in India. ANY Pe | Mithmanda tapprozehement would have been. harmful to the Sip | ae ete Well aware of the. extensive network of anti-Brtish Hj ee out from Nepal to every important ruler in India “ 2 cardineh conrts as Burma and Afghanistan.’ For many Yeu ast \ 2 Gatdinal “object of British policy to see that Nepal did mot, "amon frontier with any other “powerful and aspiring hill stat sofort The Govemor-Ge : 10 e General, therefore desired Mr. G.R. Clerk 2 rine pte Sher Singh that in case Zorawar Singh was not restr ot The pegiStanding Anglo-Sikh friendship will be irrevocably 27 pinl ing fallsh Government heightened the gravity of the affait PY “pel demand for ious insinuations as narrated above to Justi, ott! recall of the Dogra General for which they, “rapet hi SAY Pressure on the court of Lahore. They even set 10th Dee 143. Polteal Proceedings, No, 4, June 12,1837, Wade, £0 bit ‘144, cert William. National Archives of India, New Delhi. inl? 7 ud, New York, 1963, p. 50. Y 146. ey SE. The Northern Frontier of India, 1970, P- 43 no * PD. C264 P-163, Letter No, 263, dated 13-12-1841." ay 147, Teo B, Root ca itste: Agent, on deputation t0 Bests, pel 0 ‘ose, “The Role of Ni a Sin0-16 ae ge Nepal and Tibet_i Quoted in Zhe Himalayan Battleground ete. p. 51- sii Sretet Consultations, Buclosure, Vol, 79, 1841, Thomason *° September 1, 184). ei ret 148,( DOGRA DEBACLE IN CEN’ Ts AFTERMATH. ge CLE IN CENTRAL ASIA AND ITS AFTER} 23; 1 g4l as the deadli ' Jompliance deadline forthe withdrawal of the Dogra forces,” 1 Foy ance ws not mede)by Aaa ee a British Governmene fd istile proceed Me on ameasures for curbing the unWarantable ting The Bi a ane of those under whose directions ede ons Eicied to witness and cepor deouted to the border of Ladakh was inse British agent sepa evacuation by the Dogras™, and the faharaja wa t ag made to realise that it was his duty to pnt an insta "en means oF if those are not Bruate ie aggressions either by his auate_ to the purpose by uniting, ith the British Government t gt obied. Tins on this dezaion the. British Governor General gemed intent on Supporting his political moves by militar Seat Sher Singh, however, ‘cond nt, ord inipaie his amiable relations nove British."™"*" He, therefore, hurried to order Zorawar Singh o move back within the former possession of Ladakh,! and ask jm {0 Present rupecs 525 as Figur and rupees 125 as Sarwar oa Cunningham He was also desired to procure. @ aaah oe certiente of saisieation, from the ested, 10 sPerverin_West-Tibet. BU the re these proceedings could take any shap= the Tibetan armi and the. cavalcade Oooo tee had moved against the Dogra. forces ‘aa ie death tr and the decisive battle was fought at To-yo_resulling in es ae of Zoramar Singh and the ‘destruction of the Dogra army. Bras Roe the whole situation as well as the British attitude towards Pen icta: ‘jas, Now they tied to placat® Gulab Singh by upholding pis, Claim “over Ladakh ageing pact betans, and later on offered the Gane Offices to adjust differences between, the Dogra Rajas at Chins tinct Gu Sas MP 8 OSS TN ee Gulab Singh had resented this British interference in_his sgibetan affairs, He did not forgive, Mer for their political pressurisa~ tion in Zorawar’s episode. While the British Governor-General was prow-beating Gulab ‘Singh's _suzerain ‘and frightening him into Gisowning Zorawar and order, Dis recall Gulab Singh was ‘showing ers ee eet a der Bis ance of the British relieving force abul, “0 ia his Tibetan affairs provoked ityek magic of diplomacy to Mnlise “his power and sway ‘politicals’ at Peshawe jearnt to treat tBtore the Kabul disaster. The unwanted British interferen’® i lay the Gulab Singh to bring into vanquish his white tivals and Fake them Ratalbetter teen tian British im better than they had done jes, p. 163. ‘ove. vo Clerk, 8-10-1841. Himalayan Pol id Wester gil, No. 47, G 1 49. Datta, C.L. Ladakl am 150. 5, See. Cons. For. Del tr., of 11-10] t 151. Sec. Cons, For ee otes tS ‘fg,ad of 11-10-1841, No. 47, EA caer cae re Governmoat © Clerk. 11-18 ap, Clerk to GOVETHIRER: 4-11-1841. [ 3110-841 ee eee 0, tgg, {bid Also No. 18 0 Sec, Cons, For. Deptt» NO-CHAPTER TWELYE Spell Of Dogra Diplomacy In Sikh State spell Or Dagra Diplomacy tn 9) aaa (A) THE DOGRA ROLE IN LAHORE The one great problem faced by the Lahore State 2 nd Singh was that of maintaining its internal unity, inlet axing tranquality, as well as counteracting intrigues of its S20 courtiers and the British expanionists. This need of the St eging not be fulfilled by a purely communal government aS the st events show. On the contrary, it required diplomatic 2°" secular nature which could coalesce together its divergent COM a the Muhamma an, the Sikn and Dogra Rajput. The sl 'podf the real danger to this heterogeneous State lay in its OW" owt Politic more than in extraneous infections. The cankeroUs featthY Which could invade its vitality had roots inside its OW" YT cout growth in the form of its polity, the disposition of its OFS rar soldiery, revennes—and the character of its sovereigns» << oyjdet Sikh state lamentably lacked the wholesome balance of these: ,° fous from the fact that towards the end_of his life, even Ranjit SIME) pet ficult to coatrol the diversified and mutually antagonistic ©, of which his cout was composed, and when the reins of £V°" ordet Passed from his hands to those of his incompetent success°™peca™ speedily gave way to anarchy and bloodshed. ‘The 2°™Y 99% sibceenea he Fival princes who endeavoured to. BUY jit per al 8 only in driving i $ E theabed to decom git and themselves farther an¢ 10 4 Ranjit had_most of his life nobia aor : mos is suffered from Anglo phOv™ «angsty conceal his behaviour he heartily danced to every tne of 2 ah Pargtar. lis. successors took a big leap forward and, She halffor et pale of the Lahore kingdom in order to holare i? er themselves with their support ts at ue from July 1839 10 March pee cre vas ™ 0 March, 1846 reveal” Ranjit Singh. WS oft, phe the responsibilty. of the abrupt dowanrot the Kingd OM etl Bevheds eee ets ovnfall had in reality appeared in Fie potted sds ended the British stcadil aching with a view to dub his terri Te hed cere than onc eed erritory. He had more than Ont wash But de nei Sis, face from the touch Of i ea C + Payne, : , Pe Ye, CH, A Short History ofthe Sikhs, reprint, Patiala, 197 232Durjansal of Bharatpur sought Bheratpur, he cowardly remarked, (or the Angrez Bahadur, as_he styled SPELL OF DOGRA DIPLOMACY IN SIKH STATE power, He lived in constant dread of the British. When in 1826, 233 his aid and offered him to_ help “might perhaps drive the British them) as fer as Allyghur, but I should be driven back across the Sutlej and out of my kingdom.” In 1809 he had ignonimously. yielded before British high-handedness, and ogain. in 1530°s, on. the question of Sind he is said to have Teminded his warlike courtiers that the Marathas fought the English onee“and where are their 200,000 spearmen now." Such was. the reaction of this «“Massinissa"” of Indian history to the naked aseresy dons of the Britt who. was unconsciously consoliding the small Drincipalities of western, Punjab only to be conveniently absorbed inte the British Indian empire. His attitude thus projected a magnified impression of British power in Lahore ‘Court resulting in lowering of its orale, The res the example of his abject submission before te Hegre Sharon he existence of a throne. This led 1° evelo ispoclteas “Gs Gre Lahore Court to Took tothe British it all matters, and weak candidates. for throne sousht British blessings and help fm Seemed to live under the obsessions that the British were | ae Tarde: arc nce ehaving like states of SubsinGy ance, Without, of course, singing it- ; tof their companions in the court were The Dogra Rajas and mos! a opposed to tne attitude of theit soverisns Th ane oe ran Kingdom's iiuc tewerign state, with am iMdePeT OY didnot relish icra! policy irrespective of Beth subordination to. the idea of being alli a power prof : ide of Bengalis of PO Fimnadone MPs came Se puis attitude of the D dered them shee enemie: ritish ‘Politicals’ gh thei ame an Gulab singh el D ‘ict singh could see through their dirty g ‘Ould notallow the British tmtriguers (oo, chat the real_danger to 50 f y knew per with Lahore affairs 'd Simla. The British > far as it lay in their power , ita an i Ranjiv's kingdom was nestled it Cale ora, Rojas intrigued against luthorities did their best to malig? "71. Brirish influence in Lahore ‘ h i ety a a te pees, tO tBEM, | Da family; and, im spite of Cui : : ost it untihg due to trong Pa mostly direct rtp stem it it oui gone ¢ incompetence gf the Lahore rulers and peice 3,0 ‘ieee Kharak Singh this game had started the British Agent F ae shine ae fe ha secret his ‘elaim to the throne: ‘hus startet advice and su) 35, re sy frig tees Sg, r 2M Greg is AP Gregor, History . 539 3. George Brace, six Battles for India Ps aont and mistrist Auckland t0 4. “Sher Singh, the brother) h35 fq 6, fol. 1S a his followers about him 404 igs9, Bro Tisbbouss Privarst Jey ee (Hasrat, p: 87). 1p ; Patiala, 197! and he called| + Tha 234 A SHORT HISTORY OF yangngy RAP the vile conspiracy on the part of pretenders to, and occupiers of, the throne of Lahore, for subordinating the interests and sovereignty of the Sikh kingdom to ihe British—a move which Was opposed tooth and nail by the Dogra junta till their ranks were thinned dowr by assassination to only the lone survivor, Gulab Singh. With the advent of British influence in Lahore Court a new fegture entered the Lahore politics. It was the anti-Dogra move raised by the tival group anxious to capture power, x move in which rulers theme selves heartily indulged. The move was initiated by the very “fist Successor of Ranjit Singh whose accession to the throne Was entirely due to the goodwill of the Dogra Rajas. Kharak Singh did not deectve Hie throne, nor was he qualified to hold it for long without the ‘iq of his able Prime Minister, Dhian Singh. It is doutful, opines Steintych, The met am individual ‘could have been found less calculated to ggsupy the place of Ranjit Singh than his successor Kharak Singh. Naturally of very weak intellect, his education totally Neglected, Kyocon Proved himself wholly incompetent to hold the government.’ He ventured to transfer his confidence from ian Singh, the active Prime Minister of his father, ro another Chiet nae Chet Singh,* a man, who had nothing to recommed him but atrogance, and sycophancy.? He “being desirous to become an independent ister, Was rival of Dhyan Singh, and was contriving to Temove, him." Maharaja Kharak Singh connived at the intrigues of Chet singh feast Dhian Singh, and both combined to strengthen an aDti-Dogra faction at the court, The courtiers, however, were averse tg Chet Singh’s ambitions and Prince Nao Nihal Singh could no longer brook Chet Singh meddling with State affairs. The courtiers Were sq much sae With the favourite that “all were on the watch to Seize Chet Teins of Unfortunately, the sival factions could not reconcile and Seto Sted t0 move his rival DY'an assasters nite. Bo hoe hole DoerttiM8s had reached such a pitch that the murder of the a in oS family had been decided on. “See, what will become of Dhiaa Seewty-four hours,” Chet Singh is reported to have threatened we shall se2 & whisper’ in the Court.” “Your ‘humble servant, Sy Singh, buts citswered Dhian Singh.” And the same night, not py ry hia t Singh the most abnoxious and most POWerful of the Bs Steinbach, The Punjab, rep. Patiala, 1970 pp, 19.99, 7. lsh Murray, tistory of India, London, 1862, »- $57 M Gregor, History of the Sikits, Vol. Ll, rep, 1970, p. 5 Siac of Pacha. authors 20 July coor een Septembee, py ys Aklibars, 1839-41" pp, 239-41 —-NAL (NJ? COPS » Pua St 1839 Deptt, Copy K.slitb Abstract of punjab AkYbarg yy Setember Punjay Akhbar, 1839-41, pp. 260; age RTIND). eats 2 Hugh Pearse, Memoirs of Alexander Gardner, rep. Patiala, 1970, » 944SPELL OF DOGRA DIPLOMACY IN SIKH STATE Maharaja” fovurittes was done to death.’ ‘On October, 1839, ¢ Singh, the brother-in-law and unworthy favourite of the Maharaj, het murdered by a combination of Sikh chiefs instigated by Raja Dy Was Singh and with the sanction of Naunihal Singh. The excuse wag (yo? Chet Singh was plotting against Dheean Singh.”"* that Kharak Singh’s attempt to remove Dhian Singh from py Ministership was premature and inopportune. He perhaps diq me jealise that his own success as a ruler depended solely on Dhian Sin, not cooperation. sh’s At the murder of Chet Singh a general sense of relief was fe all courtiers and they were all of the opinion that “now all wi OY straight.” But the murder could not improve matters at Lahore, °° not only increased chances of British interference in Lahore affairs, yy also embittered relationa between the Maharaja and his son, Nao Ninet Singh. Maharaja Kharak Singh refused to acknowledge the auton! of Nao Nihal Singh. Finally, the father and the son became aye, to Dhian Singh who found wisdom in withdrawing his hand fro, state affairs and the Dogra Raja obtained a month’s leave and jon for Jammu on January 16, 1840, SE ‘The whole affair reveals that sentimentalism, nepotism and n; factionalism reigned supreme in Lahore court at the cost of the st of the State and soundness of its administration. The sovereign, thy heir-apparent and some ambitious courtiers were i ugh the: Ufiy mad of personal rivalries, secking to drive away their veteras Prime Minister, only to realise their folly soon after. Itis even alleged that ‘Nau Nihal’s first object was to make himself master of the Punjab. by destroying the Jammu Rajas'," But the very first experience of the anbitious puince was unsavoury and Dina Singh’ absence from the Darbar bred more poblems and eased none. His departure aggravated Lahore affairs. Mismanagement became rampant on all sides and con. fusion became all the more confounded. «Consultations are hled in ever: place. but without any satisfactory result.’""* In fact the administration of affairs was deteriorating. The turmoil created at the Darbar and the Sbcence of a towering personality resulted in lowering the prestige of the Central Government and its hold on Kindgom. The grip of the tentral authority became weak and the provincial governors and kardars® were defalcating with state money and were deliberately ‘arrow ability 11, Auckland to Hobhouse (P: M.S B.M. Hasrat P-P. 12, Lord Aukland to Maharaja Kharak Singh, 24 October, 1839, Broughton» Papers, MS.B.M, Hasrat, P.P. 13. Cunningham's History of the Sikhs, 1915, p. 208n. 14. ORPS, 148-1/26 of 22-1 1840, Wade to Maddock, P.G.R. 15. ORPS, 147-IL1/173 of 9-12-1840, Wade to Maddock, P.G.R. fate), 25 September, 1839, Broughton Papers,A SHORT HISTORY OF JAMMU RAY ares cad witholding pajment. ‘The retirement of Dhian [Singh the most i ost able minister the Punjal y aoe dha shook the political and economic stability cf he country. Consequently the Kanwar and his group of advisers, aa themselves incompetent, were forced to instruct Dhian Singh oP January 24 to return soon to the Court ‘accoding to. his promis and on January 30 sent Bhai Ram Singh to Jammu to bring bach Raja. Even the imbrcile Kharak Singh, realised the true worth oe Raja, so that he was fain to reinstate Dhian Singh in his frormer minis . io terial authority “under the promise of absolute power,’ but the Ra declined the offer’, He was sceptical of intentions and sincerity of the Sickte-mindes Kharak Singh who seemed to tolerate him in the Darbar because of bi indispensability. The Maharaja persisted in his anti-Dogra_attitt ; A and carried on secret conspiracies to oust them from power, hurled up? Dhian Singh abuses and insults on every occasion, public or private, “hich the Raja bore patiently. ‘The Maharaja remained determined | Bt Spare no effort to make his poiition untenable atthe Darbar" Me awst Was taken away from the Dogra Rajas at their great chagrin, ber efforts were being made to recall Diwan Kirpa Ram for installation & Wazir. In the middle of August the Maharaja resumed the Neeli Jasif of the Jammu Rajas, a measure which exasperated them still further The Dogra Rajas also suspected duplicity on the part of the KanWa ‘Therefore Gulab Singh and Dhian Singh were frequently absentif! ‘themselves from the Darbar on some pretext or the other ; . » became “a king in name Yellas in power ;” but the same day dagzlee him with “a crown a deprived him of life.” He had Performed the last rites at the funel ig be Was passing under a covered. gateway (deal) | Tie geula® Singh by his side, when's serdon os Raja Dhian Singh 1 - ihal Si; 108% secret tll it” Was at lene Gag tHe death of Nao Nihal singh acl at Tength deci is the Prince Sher Singh," angio on is ng advice to offer the crow? ingh,”™ a : nd till the arrival of the la oir eveginmmeet, The Raja who had assures 4p! Welter at Lahore everything, secured the fort, i the gates of a ind Fort Allbut the most confidential mints it the Gobind 16 5: -1-1840, Wado to Mada, 7 17. ORps, 149/54, Cleric to, Tar eeane eee 18. ORPS, 149/13, Cletk to Mada cl R- '» 149/13, x lock May 9, 184( ), Ps 19. ORPS, 149/58, Clerk to = ce Maddock, Augu P Dod Bust 25, 1840, PGR, 21. Steinback, The Punjab, pp. 25.27,23h SPELL OF DOGRA DIPLOMACY IN SIKH STATE fort. On the arrival of Sher Si r i t i ingh, the news of Nao Nihal’s death wa Pag eoblis and, Dhian Singh, in consultation with the senior Rani of the council, invited Prince Sher Singh to occupy throne. But Chand Kam the wife of Maharaje Kharak Singh and mother of Nao Nihat FS cea reached on 6th November, had also preferred her claim She was not slow to challenge the legitimacy of a man whom she eescribed as ‘ sheroo cheba the hastard ‘son ofa dyer.?* She found Teady supporters to her cause in Bhai Ram Singh and the Sindhanwala Sin iar. She also tried to make a common. case with Raja Dhian ‘ingh and tried to ‘‘win the Raja and the empire by herself adopting his son Raja Heera Singh and placing him on the vacant Guddee. This Was, however, declined by the sincere Rajt Who proposed that_instead She should ‘unite all the parties by marrying, Sher Singh. | This she Tejected with disdain. No compromise could be arrived at. Chand. Kaur, therefore, got the help of the powerlul ‘Sinduanwala Sardars and Sina her party gathered strength and ‘ucluded Gulab Singh and Hira ‘ingh beside about a dozen eminent Sourtiers of Lahore. | Sher Singh described by the British as ‘an amiable woluptuary” had the backing of Raja Dhian Singh and a number of other courliens;, Civil war now Faomed large) ‘The disruption of the Kingdom and ‘ feringee. init ference a feared, Dhitn Singh once again ror to thejocvaston and Sought to reconcile the claims of bot Jaimants to Toyal power Who seemed in heat of the moment lea’ oncerned about the jcnHet interests of the Sikh kingdom. He struck # vain between to parties and on 17, November e ealition arragemen’ fr, arrived tee Sher Chand Kaur as Regent under the designation ee a Singh Vice-regent and President of the Council of the enain 25 hee commander of the army ; and_ Dhian sae are counsellor of the fofore, the wazir, and ‘Aziz-ud-Did W2S pace shia lng i ing up, and soon But the rivalries of the claimants continued Brevi "fo, ave lost @ conspiracy developed to kill. Sher singh whe “tsDhyan, however, courage and slipped away to his estate atala, “Dimoment.2"* Promising to establish him on the Ghrone at a0 OPPYt arani (Regent): On December 2, Chand Kaur wir jeclared tHE, vjonth latter Dhian Of the Punjab with the title of Malik Gakicadas. A mee ranwala got Singh was also compelled to retire to Jammu, complete control of the government: is roved incompetent. But both the sovereign and her not al provins of indulging Chand Kaur “regarded the supreme authority | round the ‘conduct of. her passions and vices.” THE Sindhanwe 22, Kushwant Singh, A Hist. of the ioe ds 23. ORPS, 150/39 of 1-11-1840, Clete saddook 24. ORPS, 150/48, of 24-11-1840, Clerk £0 vol. HL P- 7 25. Mt Gregor, WL, The History fH Tc, 28, non scoryof the Pele, 22 SaalRA) A SHORT HISTORY OF JAMMU 4 conspiracies. COnseg administration quite different from the hatching of conspirecioda nt quently, confusion and disorder ensued on a scale as to compel the chiefs and the army to invite Sher Singh and D! on 10) taka administration in their own hands and save the c had © Ceveloping disruption and the British Agent at Ludhiana report. - a time “The mace said if the Rajah (Dhyan Singh) went a suc itis as this when Dost Muhammad was coming across and other Bat Srnvoys marching to Peshawar, she will deport herself to Jamadat Bhaee Ram Singh said that he would return to the Benaras. Jamie Khushal Singh said that he would go to his native place neat Sob pore. Sardar Uttar Singh said that he would return to th arn to the i 16 And Fakeer Azeezood Deen begged them for God's sake t0 ta reasonable beings,”"2? Dhian Singh’s endeavours lting in lowering of the prest Tiots peeped at every crevices. ment of what might prove har f resue at & peaceful settlement had failed, For ige of the rulers, and further intel Og Gulab Singh had anticipated the mfal to the Dogra interests. 5 7 an Lawlessness amounted. The Sikh soldiery were grown anne and mutinous. The men over-ruled the officers, threatened them frag Pumahanes forced them to resign. They. set ‘up small committees C35 Punchayats on lage councils in every unit from jon battery and company to brigade level to run the Khalsa in oppositiOt he the officers. Turbulence Prevailed everywhere, Various wetjnsl elements of discord aging at Lahore in the absence of Dhit os DUE Chand Kaur's Partisans, the Sindhanwalas proved worst inte and worthless diplomats, They miserably failed to uphold the power its, Control of the government oven Soldiery and other distressing elemeig Ventura was forced to tell the Maharani that the Khalsa powet whole dissolve into nothing if Dhian Singh did not return, and the ad Bt Beeld tise for plunder and inet the British were close, at Mj Sin GyazePOre Watching 2 Thr English moblised troops towards SY he Sir, William “Macnahghton gven proposed “that the treaty of 1832 ye unilaterly declared by the British to be null and void and Peshaw’" ye added to the Durrend x! dom,”"30 He also. further suggested fr if A "3 Ss to r the predominant ch” “4 cach meaning Siudhanwh ias in re eae ad. Doar Rajas i is? aia for tl in creating disseniong at's e048 Seemed to play the game f ‘hore and thereby weakening the State- er 27. Ibid. 28. Bruce, George, Sie Battles pet St Battles for tulia, p. 67 29. Ibid, p. 69, 7 30. Macnaughton, to Gove ceaestl” a nor General, Nov, 26, 1840, Governor Macnanghton; Deg gt, Genetal, Nov. 26, 184 31. bid, 2SPELL OF DOGRA DIPLOMACY IN SIKH STATE 239 The second Dagra apprehension about the British interference, was coming out true. If the British authorities were reluctant to intervene in Punjab affairs on their own initiative, chiefs were not wanting in Lahore who sought. British Governor-General’s support to uphold their claims on the Lahore government. Even Sher Singh was toying for British support and as Aukland wrote : “at my suggestion or perhaps without it he would write away half of the Punjab to the British Government to obtain its interference in his favour. Chand Kaur Would do the same assuredly should the chiefs turn against her.""** She had actually deputed Ajit gingh Sindhanwalia to Lndhiana “to sell his country”’.8 and to seek British help on the terms that “they should make their own arrangments in the Punjab, that such a Ministry ahould Please the mace as well as any other ; she would wish to have a resident With one or two battalions at Lahore to protect her rights." Sher Singh Was believed to have been in league with the British since Kharak ‘ingh’s accsssion. t_support Chand Kaur’s lost cause, nor Were Sher Singh’s overtures forceful, for he apprehended “the army Would be Sa cane and might destroy him in an hour” before the arrival of the British help. Dhian’s loud protests in the Darbar may have also deterred the British from moving into the Punjab Polite ®r else the claimants to throne would have been glad enough fo be Telieved of the half burden (which finally did happen in 1846) of the Kingdom of the Khalsa but for Dhian Singh's adroitness and he ant a ish policy of the Dogra Rajas who were prepared (9 hunter DY uch move a aintain the unity anc : - Gulab Singh a ‘closely watching the developments fofieveuts ae Heiore and Ludhiana and was making arrangements to interven prop ian eines fc integrity and sovereignty of the Moment, Dhan singh. stood for the integrity and soversianty ote ahore kingdom and made all possible em ET muour a jee “and to uphold the tottering this crisis 25 “Bur Pehen Sher Singh left Lahore on 2nd December, 1849, tnd @ council oF Your ebiets, anclading Dhian Singh, was formed and te ‘ave for Ja onth and Ie nuary, . b igh ad en es remained behind with the Mai, perhaps in acvor ‘ance with a preconcerted plan.5* The British, however, did not Peres ears nan eg in went fo, Ta om and ae sent iffey ir way into I 5 a heart of ee tonne a administration bf the countries and troops coul! 32. Auckland to Hobhouse, 7 Dee. 1840, fol. 419 #- 33. Bid 34. oRps, 155/81 0: 35. Secret consult., For. Deptt» 36, Kanheyalal, Tartkiiei Panjab, 171-1841, Harsaran Das to Clerk 116 of 7-12-1840. p. 338.240 ‘A SHORT HISTORY OF sau RA? acquired.”*" Conseqnently Dhian Singh had to be immediately rt eft was a triumph of Dhian’s diplomatic skill and adminetratie recalled. Oni Chand Kaur and her associates were to Tealize wits fi | ability. “the same time Sindhanwatias and other councillors been qe sut® Raja, Ar jo place in Lahore politics afer ‘the return Of Dian singh | | they hac ur also sew her cause despoiled. They, therefore, Jost 0 | Chand sending theit agent to seck British aid to maintain thengel in power. Before leaving for Lahore, Dhian Siugh sent Sher Singh a come | ‘cation that the time for his arrival at Lahore was favourable where t | | troops were ready to receive him. Immediately on Teceipt of Ei | | trommunication he appeared at Lahore on the 14th January, 184 tecompained by only 300 horsemen. But soon leading European ofl i ike Ventura and Court, and generals and well to do Sikhs deserted his side along with their men so that by the night of January 15, not ls | than 26,000 infantry, 8,000 horse and 45 puns had joined Sher sing These sudden developments alarmed the ruling party Which immedi! started preparations to meet situation as best as they could. Maharani Chand Kaur ¢ Gulab Singh as the c, i r She appointed 48 the Commander-in-Chiefs and cha! hhim with the task of defending the city. Raja Gulab Singh and of Singh in concert with Chand Kaur, Sindhanwala Sardars, Jamate Khaushal Singh and other chiefs of their party, prepared for the delet of the city and fort But soon all other chicts except Gulab si | became lukewarm to Chand Kaur’s cause and left the fort. Gulab Si decided to defend the Mai’s cause to the ia, 31. Sohan Lal, Undatu-Tawarith, Vol, W, pe, 1. p.9- io | ’ ‘The Minister's departure announced vy sna ¢ © d to the whole world that heli seats lice iad epee, 8 The wold at ap longer there, The awe ingore ov ich bi held od | rae ben feet vase by his name which had so long held | had their free play ace The centrifugal forces thus. got Mess | | chiefs of the Council wero"#®? became rampant in all departments of lid not lose heart on Sher Singh's ant Xe. Fesuming much of the authority whic, Ferret ectend Kane, Moree Sar ity aoe ee ‘of euch Telanation of So Stim, The Panyeb chiefs, 381) Ta zoe! , rity, insecuri : fren eat sad Mee Sh aneay, ail Res he Serious dager of cot Commanders uaviling to. okey orden SOR | The Panache 3 3iOd_developedat. the capitals, (LH. Pai! i ‘to be regretted by dive) ‘a Dhian Singh's absence seems #% \ discem, ot the petieyttt OMe few ‘Sarda who. bene ac ie sett rapdily encompassing the 2°, UePlore, the ruin which in conseq®y 1861, PGR). allan Xai.” -(15t/2, Clerk to Maddock, 17 Jat 8 who left ‘convinced opt S°eRtly alarmed Chand Kaur att her patil! Tealised thatthe Raja wae", Meapacity vo govern. It was 20% a, icone nate feat ain fa tie a ee ay repair to Lahore without *t°2 Sitgh Mann and other enteatioe obery him.” (Muhammad Nameae's lang that al! a 1, 14), 38. ORPS, 151/12 of 12-1141, lerk to Maddock, ldock, ASPELL OF DOGRA DIPLOMACY IN SIKH STATE 241 With the intention of eventually gaining the maximum benefit out of this situation, “the Dogta family now pretended to be divided among themselves. Raja Gulab Singh and his nephew Hira Singh espoused the cause of the queen, while Raja Dhian Singh declared for the party of Sher Singh, who assumed the title of Maharaja.” Though on opposite sidas, the Dogras were not of them, but only adhered the better to bend them to their interests. Most authorities agree in attributing the different parts taken by them to some deeplaid scheme of subtle policy, On the other side Sher Singh had started a, double game at Lehore, Fearing the influence of Dhian Singh, he wanted to win the throne without the aid of Dogra family. For this purpose he found an active and willing instrument in his Mukhtiar, Jewalla Singh. Thus While on the one hand Sher Singh was assuring Dhian Singh of Bis reli- ance on him alone, he had on the other hand “actually elven Jewalla Singh a written promise that in case the Khalsa trocpt agreedto dana succeed in the capture of Lahore and the ejection of Chand Kenriane her party, wihout the aid of Raja Dehan Singh, he (ewalla Siva ese be appointed Wuzeer."""" However, Gulab Singh was “toe Ot Rt Ranject’s school not to be able to see, through the srheme™ Deis Singh end duplicity of Sher Singh.” Whet Om atmy had shen ingh suddenty arrived in Lahore and the Whole St) 00" tht Sher Won overt tis ‘ide by bribes, Gulab Singh clearly Onis family, Singh's suocess in this enterprise, independent of tre are to the would bea death blow to their hopes, he determiten to any terms till last any’ aussie made by the prince, and not t0 LSS ic the arrival of his brother Dhian Singh 0” the scent As soon as Mai Chand Kaur and Gulab: Singh She ate up in the citadel, the Khalsa troops Sur gicer in the fort, “At situation “orgical, ‘writes Gulab Singh’s artillery cainst us probably the utmost aurforce did not exceed 3,000 men 20 ey, encamped on not less than 1,50,000 men, with 200 PIECES ahered bravely to his the plain ne Mian’ Mir. But Gulab S02? °° ing the might the dete atin eitend the Maharani to the Se, singh and all. gates defenders of the city gates were Won foverby Sher y vguarched in at the Were thrown open and by daylight Of sce cries of some Senne several gates of the city- Presently the fetee Tr ill more savage thousand’ wild infantry, and perhaPs OT cy, rent the 2 ee followers, “utrasted by, the scent of PINCH? 574 troops in the upper acclamations "Gulab Singh concentrated his —__ + Gardner, P- 228+ of Alexande if 1g Family of Lahore, 39. Pearso, Hugh, Memoirs a 40. symth, G.C., A Hist. of the Reignin 41. Tbid., p. 39. 42. Ibid, p. 43. p. 230. Hugh, Memoirs of Alexander {ners 43. Pearse, Gardopened hostilit 2. A SHORT HISTORY OF JAMMU RAJ 24 i ett Almost fort and made requisite preparations for whatever might cone A aL Other’ Sardnrs’ deserted Gulab Singh’s cause while the ti saseealte the assault. ‘The smal} and silent band on the walls i fort calmly beheld. the approach of the dense columns of infantry, squadrons of cavalry, and more fearful than all, the ormous the Khalsa artillery.’ The entire circuit of the fort now preseat closely wedged mass of the men, forming close up to 1 every wali number of guns was so great that they formed as it were aa enti connected battery round the fort ; ard yet orhers for want of Teal the first line, had to take up pcsitions in the rear he lite for surrounded by sea of human heads." In face of this thundsring Sam of arms and artillery Gulab Singh’s undaunted spirit o resistance ea unswerving. “With the hour, as I must say,” writ Alexander Gatti ‘fis even the case in critical period, came the man, and nothing cof surpass the calmness, the forethought, the activity, aud the ed TBourees of Gulab Singh.........His determination never fai hie Gulab Singh made every preparation for the crisis that ingenuity hye devise and for two days they were hard at work. A space in ront oii gateway to the fort was cleared with much difficulty and twelve i Were placed so as to bear on the wooden portals ai a distance of more than thirty-five or forty yards in front of'them, ‘The scen at Foment was of a strange and fearful character, -—the dense miss fierce men waving to and fro almost up to the walle of the fort ike Apnajto a A ed Gulab Sing! angry sea beating against a rock.” Destruction. stared Guteb 5 our small garison in the face—*We had red hot cannon-balls to ‘selves and the whole city int ites c ve write to air, if the worst came to worst”, gucxander Gardner, commander’ of the garrison) Avranged blowing up everythin ents for ; at ig having been made, “On the morning oF ee 17, Sher Singh summoned Gulab Singh to surrender the Summan cited Tel the latter asked for a truce until Dhine Singh's return. But eX 4, by the unlimited force at his command, enough to blow up his ene and an instance, Sher Singh did not wait for the arrival of Dhian Singh % ies on the 17th Yam lar manner ‘wary in the most spectacular ma! 44. Smyth, GC. 4 Hist, of 6 enum the Reigning Family of Lahore, p- 47: ay a Galaviatenged outbreak had enched Me” Of Lahore Kani’ ratty Persone Cceupied the suramon tt ear of the Rants Personal troop, about Soo aa oe 45. The Chietsin the 1 Gulab Singh Hira Singh ae aa hand Kane ware attar Singh, SindhePied Singh ti gah Dogra and Manga: Singh Gulab Si0g! Taow the atitods ofthe Sikh Sarees, Mange’ Sing! Tej Singh being the mo: 2 fai All'swore ‘heartily to, Be (put stactven in his protestations of 1oyalty- rp. 231 a. of the chiets withia the fort to Chan Joy these ered that “hst retienae tie cardinal agistance Off Hate UE the sist cAttar Sian Sindhanwala) would be mis?! Alls Clete to Maddock Janugny Senguanvala) R {6 Aon. History of the Punjad, Vol vy P.227 41. Pearse, Hogh, op. cit» 240 48, Smyth, G.C., 4 Hise Sihe Reigning Family of Lahore, p. 48. So Fears, Hugh, Memoirs of erent Gardner, p. 293, 50. Smyth GC, op. ¢ roe + PP. 48-51,‘SPELL OF DOGRA DIPL OMACY IN SIKH STAT! B 243 _ The entire ci Bae tire circle of guns———' Pee cr Sedillo etaiuteanet about two hundred and thirty tne fort, sone Prva in the ee noah ea ot eaek eer ETc the twelve guns i ying the defenders of q Diet feuns pointed at the Hazoori Ba ie fate ded. The matches were livand ready to hurl derasiptod energie operng ott craze voices were heard, fiercely mE he he gate. But the call was F mh Bie hen the twelve guns were fired at |S Ae eee ey OF tiirty-nine men placed inside to defend ie fel al that males ischarge. The two guns loaded with grape ‘were OW Ow of siktecn a entrance athe besiegers and there was, left but one 200 Akalis swe rtliery men to fire them.” Then with @ wild yell some Were packed pt up the Hezur Bagh and crowded into the gaie. | They od dnd stone clove as fh, Bagh oid hardly move over the heaps of Hosted Just "at e rubbish v ad'he carts, with which the gateway was Neh in'the air the moment ‘when the crowd was rushing their swords Ms ennai iigaes, Gulab Singh’s cavalry officer managed to fire flowed: he 1 literally, blew ab Sing» fhe aut I the Danie Wien Swvived and thet ed the guns with the aid of res ‘artillery-men Who BEE at the their next discharge Swept away the hosile artillerymer who Bialsed by marten guns nar fe who had remained standing perfectly Bivous carsage en BUS eof the Akalis. Then Shr” Singh fled and seed carmage commenced. oF ae ras. atvvays excellent, Manners Millerymen: sogod ti fo miss a man from the Walls ‘The whole of the ths azar Ba jund. the pieces in front of them Strewd the ground. In 2% rileryeata they counted the bods Heico less than 2,800 soldiers, “Psd trom hey counves es,” During the cool Sher Singh, Yewa Singh a the “garden back ‘nis former quarters in the barrack 0} ing qeBt and he thought it rudent to keep himself out of harms Way remainder of the siege. opened a heavy e Khalsa at a distance 0! pts—th Th andy fus 2 @ 2tus repulsed in their first atte! Mill around the place tinued with such nop Sener: vgtore al ite from heir artiliery a steep on a hundred yards: This Srey con rds. Te eg walls. But unde the formidable WBour that 4 at that iildirectea threatened the destruction broatened jantison on the walle ‘whole of son OF nour the DUET, jut dead an oe Was i ned %s silenced and deserte byte! peacoat abies than 146 guns with none Ly their fire and bullocks ‘around them and SO ie ici ‘none dared to approch them. Only thi pore belonging to the division of Sultan ‘Mubamt fgg” 22 in silenced by the fire from She fort, the artilery} it Seize Selous but barbarous method of P the Sillantry tee et ‘of the city and bo e Tegy Vor Y tothe ae the Dogra_ averted thei fire. thet fi created by. the fire of these 17s ‘the Dogta ¥' Wome kill pe best proof, not on ki ns marksmen, is tthe fact that of a thous were thus barbarou oy ‘ad or Si 1 Pears fe, Hugh, Memoirs of Alexander Gardier PIi the fort Which spoil A SHORT HISTORY OF JAMMU RAY lives, while not less then one hundred and eighty-six of the artillerymen were, shot down at their guns.” Only under the cover of daryane could. thé Lahore army remove guns to the shelter of houses in the cl? but with heavy loss. ‘Thus for three successive days and nights was heavy and inceastat cannonade Kept up by the Sikhs upon the place and returned by te garrison to the best of their power. On the evening of January 17 Dhii® Singh and Suchet Singh reached the capital. Through Dhian Singhs mediation, hostilities terminated towards the noon of Tuesday, Januif) 1 aits, Joss on the side of besiegers was 4786 men, 610 hore and 320 bullocks killed ; while the loss of the garrison did not in killed and Wounded exceed 130 men. Thus ended the memorable defence of tie fortress of Lahore. The part played by Gulab Singh on this ceeasit marks him out as one of the cleverest tacticians at the Darbar. I¢ creat! sphanced his reputation as military leader and afterwards Nic wine always inspired awe in the minds of the otherwise tnrbulent and uncontrollable Sikh soldiery® Moreover, Gulab Singh’s diplomacy of had aopnin’,{heinfluence of his family supreme in the kingdom of Lao had appreciably succeeded, Sher Singh could get throne only through thet favour. Dhian Singh, therefore, was retained as Prime Minister of tht kingdom. They also extracted the maximum political benefit out of the exigency by getting an agreement from Manaraja Sher Singh on the LIth April, 1841, whereby ne “confirmed in perpetuity to these respected Persons (Jammu Rajas) and their descendants, all honour and Jagheets \itvantages conferred on them in’ the time of Sree Rajb Bahadur (Maharaja Ranjeet Singh). Thi’ decanent was decried 5) British. authorities as vittual abdication of all powers by Maharaj! Sher Singh, rea ae ce of hostilities, Gulab Singh opened negotiations and 5 aur gave up her right to the throne in return for the Rhuitions—fist, the jagir of nine lakhs for the prinesec Chad vhariall ; second, Maharaja Sher Singh could not ask for the Rani hand ; third, the Dogra garrison of the fort should be allowed to marth ont unmolested and with flying colour. While evacuating the fort 02 Gis fetenoon of January. 19, Gulab Singh had voy ciost the opportunit! of Securing about two millions of treasure in his honourable hands from 1 il was securely conveyed to Jammu.”* And now cat 32 Smyth, G.C., 4 Hist. ofthe Reigning Family of Lahore. - 51. 53. ORPS, 151/16 dated January 21, 1841, Clerk to Maddock. S4 Smyth, GC, 4 Hist ofthe Reigning Family of Lahore. p- 57. Pr Chopra, BR. Kingdom of the Puxjab, p. 127, Gtittin, LL, The Punjab Chiefs, p. 336, right points out that «the fort eis defended inthe interest of Dhyan Sisk “ahd mot, of Chand tear Say fom Raia Hira Sineh being present within it aad One of ne Salat {is{gader being Suttan Aunammad’ Khan, “devoted. followes of fe Rob (Dhian Sing),”* ORPS, 40-11/103, dated Aprll 23, 1841, Macheson to Clerk. $8. Pearse, Hugh, Memoirs of Alexander Gardner, p. 237SPELL OF DOGRA DIPLOMACY IN SIKH STATE 245 @ masterpiece of acting on the part of Gulab Singh,’” “‘writes Alexander Gardner, ‘‘He presented the Koh-i-nur with much embrassment to the reigning sovereign, and took great credit for saving the royal property. In rethrn he obtainad a__firman for twenty laks worth of villages west of Bhimbur and was recognised as guardian of the Maharani Chand Kaur.”®* Eventually when Chand Kaur was murdered a few months later by the orders of Sher Singh the jagir and property of the Rani was appropriated by Gulab Singh. Thus the “wily Ulysses” of Jammu Secured to himself, as a result of bravery and diplomacy, objects of no small consideration. The combined force of all the Khalsa and their Maharaja could not defeat his diplomacy, According to Sohan Lal, Gulab Singh and his Dogras evacuated the fort in the forenoon of January 19, 1841, taking with him all the Darbar’s hoard of gold and jewels kept at Lahore. It is alleged that Gulab Singh had ‘‘made immunity from search of himself and his men an absolute condition for surrender of the fort®, On January 21, Gulab Singh, with this wealth’ and whole of his force crossed the Ravi to Shahdara aud took up a strong position there, Soon after through Dhian’s intercession he obtained leave of absence and marched to Jammu. Maharaja Sher Singh’s atteapt at ousting Dogra influence from Sikh court miserably failed and he had to acknowledge his obligation to their junta in gaining the throne for him. He restored them all the Privileges enjoyed in Ranjit’s time, as well added more to their power, influence and dominion. But Sikh resentment at Gulab Singh’s success- fuldefence of Lahore fort leading to the murder of several thousand. Sikh soldiers was played upon by anti-Dogra couttiers, and it grew Keener with the occurrence of fresh events, and both Dhian Singh and | Gulab Singh started substituting Rajputs and Mohammadans for the Sikhs. As Clerks reports, ‘Raja Gulab Singh has ejected every Sikh Soldier from the many forces held in jagir or in farm by his family.””° The Sikhs had yet lively rememberance of his defence of Lahore in January 1841 wheh he was again called upon to show his prowess in ‘directing his troops against the rebellious Sikh armies in Kashmir where _ ‘on April 17,1841 the two Sikh battalions stationed in Kashmir killed | ‘the Governor Mihan Singh in his court and his son Sant Singh had taken shel.er in Hari Parbat Fort. The Maharaja, though aware that order in that region could best be restored through the agency of the Jammu Rajas and their hill-men, did not like to entrust the sole charge of the 59. Ibid., pp. 237-38. .an Lal, Umdat-ut-Tawarikh, Vol. IV, Pt. I, p. 15. fe Senth ace Ati ae the ‘Reigning’ Family of Lahore, p. 60) says that Gulab Singh evacuated the fort at the mid-night of January 18 which is obviously wrong. Gl, Secret Consultations, For. Deptt, 88 of 8-2-1841. 62. ORPS, 151/34 of 3-3-1841, Clerk to Maddock.lll 246 ‘A SHORT HISTORY OF JAN0qy py, affair to Gulab Singh. He, therefore, put his son Kanwar Partap Singy attended by Bhai Gurmukh Singh, to the Government of Kashmir ang. to be assisted by Sheikh Ghulam Muhi-ud-Din, in the fiscal affairs, Tebel soldiers of Kashmir were alarmed to know of Gulab Singh’s depy- tation for suppression of Kashmir rebellion. They made prompt ov | tures to the Raja, who was still at Jammu to renounce their rebellion if admitted to certain privileges of increased and prompt pay such as the | troops at Lahore had obtained. Presunably, the Raja had no such mandate and the whole cavalcade moved into the valley. $ a 1 iil _, Gulab Singh seemed to have taken to pacific steps to sete the issue. But the mutinests refused to deliver up their arms on being summoned to surrender, and though Raja Gulab Singh condescenced Negotiate with them for some time, it was to no purpose. Onthe gther hand the rebels tooks to treachery, sent to wait on Raja cS Singh explicitly to make further propositions for their surrender, and) deceitful representations induced him to mount his elephant, and By ceed towards their entrenchments where a band of fifty suddenly rus Cut upon him swords in hand, and attacked his escort of five hun | i men With such desperate fury that the Raja had ro_ seek safety in a | Cpiete Bight to his own camp." Enraged at this treachery ant! Hi guest: Gulab Singh ordered an instant attack by the whole force, WAS 3 Sus lready drawn up on the other bank of the Dudh Ganga ster, GPposite the rebel entrenchments. ‘The rebels put up a stiff resist, Srguaine of Sikhtcommanders represented to the Maharaja agsinst Of, angh’s strong measures. The troops at Lahore were also incline, Sagircinforeemenrs to support their comrades in Kashmir against Gr, ‘ingh. This situation Whipped Gulab Singh to take recourse MO Nyy Fors measures, and the mutinous regiments were overpowered , an NG unished with severiiye* and destroyed the rebels alm yt and the et the conclusion of this expedition by the end 5 eave Lance Festoration of order in the valley, Gulab Singh had to ey before gu with Partap Singh, Sant” Slagh and bis task Oth focade left he made it sure that Sheikh Ghulem Muhi-ud-Di0 og Gpuenched himself strongly as governor of Kashmir, was ing creat Sule. Singh had made the governor, whom he valley ett OF his own and had become the virtual m2 a fess Gulab Singh had once agai him the Fe i faithful to ree i once saldes and adequately shown his love for law a8 Sn 0-6-1841, pp. 230-34, Clerk to Maddock 64. Sayth, G.C. 4 His. of Reigning Famihy cp , ist. of Reigning Fam ey p. 194 anne of Reigning Family of Lahores P 96. Cunningham's History, of the Sikhs, p, 221, 67. ibid, ORPs, 152/40 Be 9 3-9-1841, Clerk to Government. htpit POORA. PIRLOMARNAN SIRE SEAEE 247 ee the shay : “ sons ih army which was traditionally poste vely estranged with the Dogra Baits. s Ree ae Pe re ten vs of national spirit in the Khalsa” which im; fied tes pacuiateass ictim to communal sentiments. directed ocala pie peronenn of cers as Well as Dogras. The anti-Dogra British ae p99, itast Dhia ely manipulated this ‘sentiment in a way to cians peggainst Dhian Singh and tet seh Dhian. Singh succeeded to see extent to Teestablish his influence and continued to be popular with ie fe one aH he army was, however, well disposed towards the Minister os te Po red for men felt that he is a mastermind, and that they ays be treated by him as soldiers for his own sake.” jngh now appeared to be perfec- Maharaja Sher Singh and Dhian Si wy recone But indications were not ‘wanting that real cordiality had fed. The Maharaja seemed keen upon, hhumillating the Wazit and {t hints that he des- eee sed: os Sfmnily. Tn an unguarded moment he Breve rige call Raja Gulab Singh to his Darbar to render an account of iis roceedings.”® Bhai Gurmukh Singh, wie hhad of late acquired the ee Frest voice in Sher Singh’s councils, "was trying to organise and infuse four into the coalition against the Jammu Raja. ‘He had the blessings tthe Jeera had folly sault that Mabe, it is domination.”® Sher Singh in this aff. , eai8 Sher Singh was attempting to free himself from hi retaliated by engineering the arrival 2 Lahore in August 1842 of G her son, Dalip Singh. a fe seta asi Jindan, one of Ranjit singh’s WES 2 Phe ur ive _yeal I boy reputed to be Bie i great rs old boy reputed 0° gisbelief of each other which pour OF Sabaraia. The result was a mo (cea ove Sher Singh under the inflyenet nting that effect he had co- Tee gg evi him in. exterminating his rivals and csemies. “Bat by Fremiddle of March dense. clouds of adversity “hag gothered on the firmament of his career. The main reason for this was the conflicting interests ofithe three Dogra Rajas, ageravared by the growing ant Dosra propaganda of the Lahore courtiers, Pandit Jalla had Special role to play in sharpening the family fea on the one hand and in widening the gulf between Hira Singh and the Sikhs on the other, Gulab Singh could not harness the ‘storm though he cleverly survived its fury by bending before it rebounding agameenie enemies. When he bad qomewuat Tecovered from the revages caused by this political whirlwind. congindora’s box for the Dogras was unlid by the events of Sialkot affair. The harassment of Kashmira Singh and Peshaura Singh ths roused the Khalsa against the Dogras. This affair had further estranged Suchet Singh from the brood nephew and Kanwar Kashmira Singh had been seized by Gulab Singh and imprisoned at Jammu, it was reported “that Suchet Singh was very displeased in consequence’? and had Temonstrated with the Raja on al, Ranjiama, p. 400. iteligeuce, dated 2-3-1844, NAL. . jos, FOR. of 159/41 of 23-3-1844, Richmond to Currie, 109. Paujao Invetigence, dated M1-1-1844-N AI, 106. Kanheya r; 107. Punjab InSPELL OF DOGRA DIPLOMACY IN SIKH STATE 5 i 255 ‘that subject, and also on the subject of Raja Hira Sinoh? at Lahore.7° ya Hira Singh’s Proceedings There existed acute differences between § f Singh's adviser, Pt. Jalla also. The latter left nor stgS2% ahd Hira widen the gulf between the uncle and the nephew 21 ,untumed to Instigated Fateh Khan Tiwana”? as well as’ Sanjar SUcHet Singh He was suspected of complicity in Kashmisa Siseity, /@™&hit Singh. Tewas believed that the troops at Lahore’ Were mutinsin a seetection.sa Singh at his instigation, and that 0 a certain extent he nc east Hira for the release of Jawahir Singh. renee Hisa Singh was unanimous with Gulab Singh on the of resolving the family feud. He, therefore, tried to. pric ability Suchet Singh and on 31 December, 1843 offered hi h up with of Rawalpindi and Peshawar”? "Any Feconeilation yee eno , however, impossible in the circumstances. Suchet Si ergs aa He, therefore, showed willmgness to join the Sith chiely f He to Hira Singh and Jalla,"” and was anxious to return te 1opPesition spumed at the proposal. He, therefore, got ready to leave ators and early in Mareh 1844, to bring Jalla’to account. He for Lahore invitation from Rani Jindan who “bade him aspire to the wes, Which she promised to bestow upon him." and: from shew eatut Jawahir Singh and some troops and officers who sent dele brother fetch him. Gulab Singh tried to dissuade Suchet Singh Micees. 2 to Lahore. But the latter was bent upon reaching there to yen or uproot the Prime Minister and his adviser. Finally. ‘he “soc Suse of his brother on the pretext of going to Samba for a’ ese leave suddenly appeared at Lahore on 26 March 1844 and halted st Shandon On Suchet Singh’s sending a word, Hira Singh who had ne nergy against his uncle, immediately got ‘ready to go. to meet him. Tne greatly perturbed Jalla who convinced him that he would be murdee's and in support of his prediction he “produced a pothi or horowenGe Which it was written that Suchet Singh or Hira’ Singh would fail the next day.” e 10. Ibid., dated 13-1-1844-NAI. 111, Pearse, Hugh, Memoirs of Alexander Gardner, pp. 253-54, 112, Kanheya Lal, Tarikh-i-Panjab, p. 399. 113, P.G.R. 159/41 of 23-3-1844. 114, Cunningham's Hist. of the Sikhs, p. 275. 115. P.G.R. 158/162 of 16-11-1843, Richmond to Carrie, 116. Pearse, Hugh, op. cit., p. 254 117, ‘Raja Sochet Singh they say is ready to join them" Punjab Intelligence date Sih Jagiuarye 1844) VALSIUT oui RM Miibeaieey aaa 118, Smyth, Reigning Family, P. 99. 119, Pearse, Hu; moirs of Alexander Gardner, pp. 254-55 ; Kanheya Lal Tarithet-Punjabs pe 106 EE a SS ea a256 A SHORT HISTORY OF JANA RIp Raja Suchet Singh, however, failed, to win over the troops « because Hira Singh had been liberal in gifts and promises and part because the shrewed deputies who formed the Panchayats of the Te ments, hada sense of their.own importance and were not to be won for purposes of mere faction without diligent and judicious seeking." He was, therefore, advised by the Khalsa to go home but Dogra adventurer seemed to have burnt his boats. He took up positions in a ruined mosque and determined to fight it out with his forty devoted comrades. On the morning on March 27, Hira Singh witha large army marched against his uncle. A picked body of horse had been posted on the bank of the Ravi to prevent desertion from Lahore to Suchet Singh’s assistance, and a force of about, 20,000 men with fifty light guns was dispatched. Suchet Singh and his forty companions, including Rai Kesari Singh, emerged to face the army. On being backoned by Suchet Singh ‘to come on, one by one and let the world see the worth of a Rajput? the small hand fell upon ther adversaries with great force and after performing prodigies of valout they all perished, “but had killed 150 and wounded another 200 befor they fell Rai Kesri Singh and” Diwan Bhim Sen were also kil along with ninety followers. Wrote Richmond, ‘the Jammu_chiel Were embarking upon the game of their enemies. The party was Sut to lose by the death of Suchet Singh whose manner caused him to wel thought of by the troops generally,’"3 The animosity of the Kialt troops was aroused by this recent incident. Suchet Singh's de weakened the Dogra party and wi Suchet, Singh's a Gulab Singh and Hira Singh, “i“ened an unabrids i i es, the The ultimate effects of this murder were positively harmful (0, Interests of the Jammu fami igh himself dreaded pernicious result of this impolite ac tor ine aceused’s widow mymcrous., fiends and adherents ‘were loud in their cries. i Tevenge." Differences also arose between Hira Singh and Reet aNih proved disastrous. for the both. TE estan of Jammu from his in 2 aiab singh Singh’s position became badly wade ies an te 1 Guiab sinh Support At the juncture when his rivals and enemies were 900% je Samer him from all. sides and planned destruction both , P obiet hatred ie es adviser, Pandit Jalla, who had become special tlk __of hatred for the Lahore ‘courtiers “and the ‘Khalsa solidiery- er eeeehti's Hist. of the Sikhs, 1897, p. 95. 12. 59/43 of 29-3-1844, Richmond to Currie. Sita Ram Kou 13 of 29740 foi COS oe sient jl cre “Pane pp Mon tigan-e-Fammuro-Kashrir, 4 12 Gregor Wey te: Richmond to Curt. 125, oRPS, 159/65 eae ofthe Sikhs, Vol. HP. 27- }, Richmond to Currie.SPELL OF DOGRA DIPLOMACY IN SIKH staqy among the soldiery was “‘that Raja Heera g; 257 in Killing hig uncle and Rai Kesree Singh an 4784 has done most wrong of." ‘Thus the eve! 2 the soigitd they ae Dogras and soon i 1ed_€0, tHe, destruction Ser ang tate Jalla and the invasion of Jammu by the gixn?* Hira Singh and Pandit C. JaLLA-HIRA SINGH MOvEs Ag, AGAINST 4) MMU , tic and graspf la was the most encreet Staspin, i He was & Da Tees Jammu Ripeeutier at the Lahore four brothers whose family had Been’ the housahntad, Was one of the Rajas. wing to theit, ability and “pogiged Priests of Jameru certain amountrof influence With Raja Guigh gio" ,, they gained a ii liab Six 27 appointed furor and guardian of Young Hira Sieeaere alla was ng the most soi ng f age With the result Fee nae Renee on him afterwards. nat -he continued wielding most, scle nfluerregr countence and “or gis Pandit, a man of ambitious spirit," and selish 1 kept Hit would not act without 21°53) i “Sp i mt token freee mgysterious Jailer, his: famitiag spin hi. preeptor, Benes and ot hy a Prac Sal The Pandit was. 50, P&P “Dy imouting mete! Sstollogical observa- tions and false prediction’: the Rajput ingen’ (© Various persons and parties, by appealing vecence due to hime ty Oh, Hira, Singh, by demanding respect 4 "°o ng preceptor of ins cage Pratmin priest of th a eS cocez an eee. of chit an by ening 2 Of the example © woul re Hira Siogh's approval Brahmin erates Chanakyg,, Mf Would secure Hira Singh's approval f© all his schemes 4% -our with the boy king Dalip Si is yiour With the boy king Dalip Singh of Lahore and jis insolent DER is ynwanted interference in administration had Rd his mother, and." Sjicers ofthe Lahore cout and they al waned fo ger otence 10 all Thre Dogra party, including Gulab Singh, Mians Labh gi@of him, yj sing and other Mians of Jammu were of the Eabh Singh and Poth! She alla ved and had the direction of aflirs ion that so lon 8° or safety: TE ea ‘Ould be no P' (2p 1ENAL , 2, OF . Re Panjab amelie 844, ee to Currie. + P.G.R,, 160/25 ° g Family’ P- 26. 228. Srayth G! , eens of Alexander Gardner, p. 250. 28. Pearse, Hug ie yntroauction to Punjab on the Eve of First ‘Sikh Ware 29, seonus, sita Ra . ‘oli, Sit ander Gat OM ee, 0. Pearse, Bushs Mer gg the ve of RUS Sh Wary Bs 210 Pal 18-1 - yy, Gupta, HR gas and Ibid., date4 nt re si iS A SHORT HISTORY OF JAMMU Ray Jalla was thus hated by all, and the Sikh army as well as Gulab Singh tried their utmost to secure the Pandit’s dismissal or even transfer. On such representation Hira Singh is said to have replicd that ‘he would never forsake Pt. Jalla and whatever he had was all the Pandit’s by whose advise he would be guided in all things." Jajja action, however, continued to cause the greatest dissatisfaction in the army, and intrigues were speedily afoot, havmg for their obj Pandit Jalla’s dowafall and death. Jalla was a strong opponent of Raja Gulab. Singh's ascendancy and power, and this rivalry between the two giants ended in the success of the shrewed diplomat against the clever intriguer, Talla Was the only person who could match and according to some eves Gould excel’ Gulab Singh at this game. Hence there was a natural hostility between the two. Jalla wanted to destroy Gulab Singh and {wished to deprive him of Jammu.” Though this diplomatic “batte was fought in the rame of Hira Singh, but Nicholson reported «the Teal quarrel was between Pandit Jalla and Gulab Singh "> ‘The design of the Pandit Jalla seems to have been to destroy Raja Gulab Singh by directing the Sikh Army against Jammu and aftermcs destroy other rivals by similarly gratifying the love of plunder and GKitement natural to a body of soldiers. To reduce authority of Gulab Singh and Keep the attention of his young master engaged, fe Uiged him to make demands with regard to Suchet Singh’s possessions, fihich Jalla knew that Gulab Singh would not comply. He would oi we found it convenient to give a new direction to the attention of ‘the tnenery which might have been pleased with the idea of “avenging Phemselves on the harsh and oppressive Raja Gulab Singhs, "Se Khalsa, however, were not willing to be involved in the dispute.” They said that Raja Gulab Singh and Hira Singh had disputed regarding they private business and that therefore the Khalsa should not assist either Party, although Jalla tried to convince them of the official nature of the dispute by pointing out that Gulab Singh was asked to agree to the following terms of submission to the Khalsa themselves Ist thee Estates of the late Raja Suchet Singh should be annexed t0 the Khalsa; 2nd that Raja Gulab Singh should remit to the Darbar the arrears of the farms held by him as others had done ; 4th that Raja Gulab Singh should Sth’ Darbar and perform such services as should be ordered Ine other chiefs of the State!” Jalla’s attempt at ‘nationalising® this 133. Ibid, dated 12-9-1844-NAL, 134. P G.R., 160/76 of 30-10-1844, Richmond to Currie. 185. Hardinge o Ellenbrough Prvate-17 September, 1844, EP (PRO), 3012 (21/7), Richmond observes. “Raja Heera, Singh himself is not believed to be hostile to his uncle there is no good reason why he should be and hy Younger brothers and his own family are more, over. a€ the monet Gis man with Whom Pandit Jalla urgest a war.” 160/25 Richnerey Currie, August 13, 1844, P.G-R. PGR. 159/95 of 14-6-1844 and 160/25 of 13-8-1844 , Richmond to Currie, Punjab Intelligence, dated 7-9-1844 NAL. 136. 137,did not agree. gL OF DOGRA DIPLOMACY IN SIKH STATE 259 vate dispute, however, did not receive 13 Hira Singh’too was reluctant to move ccmies on eee Warns Shir Prolonged for about six months and ‘gut a et Yet, HE afpvity leading to several moves and counter moves Rome nan eee Gulab Singh rejected terms as unreasonable a : jpself in opposition to Pt. Talla. He brought inte piggy eee ne eet #ijomacy to outwit the Pandit and his devout deere Beja Tien Sone fen Gulab Singh failed to wean away Raw ties Seog Bure Singh a, he carried on the struggle ina masterful “manner ee ee 4p conciliation and provocation renders this quarrel “masterpicce in ite ‘yn way"*.”” The entire technique has been summed up by Dr. H.R. orypta as under :— “ALR “Gulab Singh seized all possessions and places of Hira Sinsh i ammu hills, then offered submission in everyway, only wanthe a fos Hyenues at the old rate. The Kardar of Gujtat was asked te thengaks setrevenues to— Jammu Under his orders and at the sank tine nme BP his was present at Lahore to negotiate terms. Gulab Singh, all Syrough this, remained in close touch with the officers of the Sikh troops uf Lahore and continued to bribe them and win them over, Forming Siiiance with the Sikh and other chiefs was another plank of his policy; He would not miss any opportunity to win over the dissatisfied element f Lahore Darbar. He exchanged turbans with Chatar Singh Atariwala. mong the other chiefs won over by Gulab Singh were Habibullah Khan of Pakhli, Arsila Khan of Zaidah, and Madad Khan, the brother of the $ute Painda Khan of Darband, Fatch Khan Tiwana, Rajas of Kulu, andi, Sibah, Jaswan, Kehlur, Datarpur and Chamba, and Jagitdars® of Yullundur Doaba. Friendly leti ‘ters were exchanged with Dost Muhammad Khan and Akbar Khan, while Pir Muhammad Khan was invited to come to Jammu with troops.” He sought to improve his position as regards military stiength. some officers discharged by the Lahare Darbar were employed by him. Five hundred sepoys of Hira Singh stationed at Jasrota were won over. He also made fresh recruitment to his troops. To unnerve his enemies he sought to create disturbances throughout the Sikh Kingdom. There was trouble in the frontier districts of the Punjab. Where ever it occurred Gulab Singh's influence was clearly. discernible, for it was in his nature to grasp every opportunity. of further ing his own interest. He started negotiations with Hira Singh at the same time. He demanded the dismissal of Pandit Jalla, his rival, to which Hira Singh “With vulpine slyness Gulab Singh threw suggestion 138. Gupta, Dr. H.R,, Punjab on the Eve of First Sikh war, 1844, p. Ixxxiv. 139. Ibid., pp. Ixxxiv-v. 140. Kobli, S.R., Sunset of the Sikh Empire, p. 83. ==a Us, in some meas the Pandit. Gulab Sin ante: ee andlt A SHORT HISTORY op jaMMURAL 260 that he would be only too willing to submit if his condj itions were som ted." But at the same time he was piqued for a war it al ira Si ultimately prevailed upon by Pandit Jalla to & Sai Hoops eeainn Tages, When the advance guards Of the Sikh ef ached Sialkot Gulab Singh changed his policy of confrontation. dl fedi’a word that ho would accent eee terms in the manner his 2 Mian Jawahir Singh might advee him on his arrival at Jammu, a {toops were therefore ordered not to advance further. Jawahar Was allowed to return to Jammu and he counselled him to make With the Lahore Darbar. Their well-wishers were able te poi {hat the split in the family might prove fatal. to its interests, expt in view of the Khalsa’s indifference or hostility, Thus with the bf intermediaries, a semblance of amity was Festored, | Conseditg Gulab Singh agreed to depute his son Mian Sohan Singh to Lato settle terms. He was instructed to Negotiate for peace on the foll conditions :— (Hazara to be assigned to Gulab Singh for 2} Takhs anno (ii) Chiefs and soldiers in the service of the Lahore Darbat joined Gulab Singh to be forgiven; Gi) the title of Raja to be conferred upon Sohan Singh, | Gv) Gulab Singh not to be charged arrears, but he would the increased rate in future, sf (%) Multan to be given to him in farm on a contract“! lakhs more than the amount paid by Sevien Mal. ivafe Young man was Welcomed with a salut Houses ibore, on November 1. gig 2, Sal house." Mian Jawahar Singh: Nica Singh’s brothe Behind at Jammu to take posserats of half of Suchet Singh's est cA The reconciliation was dec © be complete, and in truth the # ae ments agreed on between then Were actually carried into effet oesobined thatthe reconciliation woe Virtually submission on Ht of the Raja and it was, ¢ @ triumph on the. Probably induced 2 Oy fe of guns, ag ized in Suchet Si T, however, tes: \gh’s Submission was Ml. Gupta, Dr, HR, 4 0D. ct... ta M2 Kohli, SR, op. ett, p. 7q0 “ WR. Sohan Lal, Udatut-Ty Betty MAt-Tavarikt, Vo, WPL, p63; pgRO- ie PRO. 165/26 of 30.10.1944 n; 1844 Richmond to Curr HE. PORO, 164) oc tssigee Broadfoot to Curie” i M46. P.G.RO. 160/96 of 36-105 ‘4 we if “*. itseems deuntrag : . re iS 1n this connection, Richmond OF secular te RNs, aaa BS fd 20 fo ave quick Which have Oe ee ol rad age tether he mage Delors the ted. Beniuy organi! ad sed solely uel Shin seit unprepared for fan raipatL OF DOGRA DIPLOMACY IN SIKH STATE ight have been brought about to a certain ex 261 jpoluding the threatened hostility, of tent, Dost reparations for occupation of Peshawar Blab Singh now resorted to undergroung Munne,©¥ external factors Tnstena™®d Khan and his Of open hostility. fpsult_ and. destroy his enemies particu easu, larly Jay@S"8S to revenge for reconciliation was only apparent. The relat Femained as hostile as ever. Gulab Singh wo and bear with Jalla’s imprudent counse] i giha’s supermacy over Hira Singh could A S ‘the existed between the uncle and nephew, who re a. betweatts the so-called Tacen the two parties hig st Petson to. forget eesPectfl disciple. ng as differences Gh account of the murder of Suchet Singh, Guta qiready been estranged e_ his ve death and inflict punj . avenge his brother's de’ inflict punishmes 2W’s resolution to averhad deeds caused much concern to th Imam 5 Tmefonsequence that Jalla got 4 Opportunity to ¢, are dispute between the uncle and the nephew, diy expected between Hira Singh and Gulab g and good fortune the people had a high opin; circumstances turned agains unexpected precipi Hira Singh was certainly ‘one of the most not ff Lahore.”""8 He had } ersor's at the court o} favour of the troops by Py of winning the mises. Therefore reckoned 3s State. po predicte Jn fact the co! and cast him upon ‘eainst Hira Singh med a and swept avay both of teen Upon Hira Singh for Ad iia to Jammu to reconcile his uncle, uttet: He sent, Sheikh be mission failed with conflagration of A genewed strugele was of whose capacity ne But meanwhile ‘andit Jalla with an ion 47 table and popular a f.om his father the f Winning, the fancy. #0 Power as Prime Manerodueree and Pree 0 harbinger of peace and strength of Lahore was eek Cthstanding several circumstances. in this the Lahore ition was extremely dificult and. perflous, “Tgeusatevour, sts .d that Hira Singh would soon be compelled ome had rightly CH ve that had brought him to. the sure Sopa ‘his present eminence had deranged all ead is i ist and functions ‘of the government. The soldiery ha¢ ver pouy against the asseriatns orate Janie ih Chiefs were, Set oe Se nile Tj} Jindan Wanted to ri Fama? Sardar Jawahir Singh.%? Jovers and her brother tances Hira Singh required man, under the ence ut the Yeuichet Singh and thus antagolsed 1 bis wf the troops and the courtiers. This led mestuthority and ultimately caused his downfall. f 13-11-1844, Broadioot to Camp of Ranjit Singh ‘years in the East, Vo 147. P.G.R.O., 164/3 of ag, Osbarne, Te Court and ug, HHonighergers Thirty-five 350. Ellengoroush, tO the Qu sl, Anon, History of the Pan 452, Ellenborough’s Minutes, njab, Vole IL, p. 287. sen, 20 Ost., 1843 (EP) PRO 30/12, fol. 97 ‘Punjab Papers, p- 105. eign herself through her the help of Gulab Singh. ¢ evil influence of Pandit Jalla, murdered ot only Gulab’Singh, but to serious challenges to Currie. iy ps 16. 1. H, p. 109.| | 262 A SHORT HISTORY OF JaMyy pay Although he succeeded in destroying Attar Singh Sindhanw, shai Bir Singh who had thrown a challen; become the “object of much animosity holy man Bhai alia a ge to his authority, yet he py ‘on account of the death oft Bir Singh and his life was as uncertain as before, sig tone’ forth followed events which took the wind off Hira Singh's Sails aud Jed to his eventual downfall and death. Some of these were the saath of his keen and sincere desire to improve the financial and administrative affairs of the State Hira Singh and his Brahman aé sage andit Jalla, “a man as senseless and. srupid as he was mean and selfish,”” employed themselves Tuthlessly to improve the finances and tion which antagonised all the bring back the troops to subordina: indan was altogether neglected and chiels. The Queen Mother, Rani Ij fastefore turned hostile. A fatal reaction wae brewing up. Ave extreme Perilous situation had develo, and there was a universal expectation abhoregiebewel.!* The noblity, the army and Raja Gulab Sih JanerTedal these measures believed to have Yeon ensiveeted DY fe ted Sd all demanded his dismissal which ‘Roja, Hira 8 Was denied Get pingan had also of tate’ began claiming Regency hi Mas denied by the Ministry resulting in bitterness between the Minis! itd the Queen Mother, the Mutsaddi Party headed by Diwan Dina Nat Regt ioze Vakils with the British Agear ge saee” Bhar Rem Sin nt gPDealed directly to the soldiery and ras d their disaffection. St Singh and his party Wf ins and throwing hereself and the boy Maharaje on n December 19, the $ of the army advised Minister to make an accommodation erietaeein Singh and to Peace with the Rani. J fa 20, the troops in the evening of December : angenneat it tumultous bodies, net ho eee a ad tt 0 br theme the night the conspirator’-and the Rani settle Tangier the morrow and stired spears ad the i a f plu troops with promises of PIN On » Raja Hira F ndit Jalla, realee rons NOE AS lost fore ai foc ca Jawahar Sim ied by some 2,000 or 3,000 bill Ure ore am Singh Attatiwala with Lal Sin R all'arms set out in their pursuit. oon Sin and Pa cat Ll ne Cre, Rai ab Singh, and: Mian eaiioNg, With. Mian Solan Sime, SO Paraded through Lahore city. meh. Their heads ¥'gph OF Dogra DIPLOMACY IN SIKH sta yp sv ed bY his mistaken loyalty to his i rc A Ss tut " Canes he was easily misled by Pots” Hira, Suen prised y, and establishing law ang tt Jala” Singh lacked deter- sop a ical igh and Jow When Lahore wer eee bold design for Fis rerated Confusiou after a few days of pystate was nevertheless, soon SpyiteTated the tast vestiges OF the Dogra ira. Sings Poeked by extreme Jom is pishered in a grave danger fo, {Pe ea ok Sl His seal Goo PE Dora Raj in Jammu His death att existence of Gulab Singh A pation a ie Punjab nope Which ow’ pS2me time Sounded the ete and extinction,” and i fast hi i i ected agai, eal in desperati eaded towards dis- Horeca Seainst Jammu Raj al the fury op ante, Tulers of Lahore Gere, |TmPorarily flared UP by the wronot 22ti-Dogra feeli i pandd Jolla and their ultimate Aseassinaes, Politics of eee the invasion af Jammu. » an event which foreboded 263 D. Invasion of Jammu by Lahore Armies The Ja, fammu Raj was now threatened wi Gulab Sin J with total annihilation and 5 Ngh, the only surviving Dogra e6i1 OF Bis Hite Bie aiplomatic. skit and oe gt 10 face the gravest were Srely put to trial. ct composure of mint The Sik h asons to be I as his Intentiont Guay been. seuarded Sree eae Gulab Singh fa Suspicion while praise, influence had long been reviewed Sri, icesvour by the Been the n ‘he internal condition of the Lahore kingdom seems to have Ene indise; ti? causc of hostile action, against Jammu, ft was rooted in F ‘ipline and avarice of the Lahore soldiery and the inability of fad were pigetship to onirol them. The soldiers were almost mntinous as treasyhllaging the country side and the government was emplving Y to keep them quiet. It was . 9 aS rumourd that “They have not twelve lakhs in the teas god it Was enmoued thet only for three months," unless, the, eo re Hii TingeteVailed upon t© MOVs ih “hostilities against Gulab Singh.’ zani Tindan even held a counell with the deputation of Sardars and Beieted? °C it was agreed that, jn. consideration of past gifts and the depicted ‘treasury, increase, Of PAY. should. come with the capture of Pecuilises See eaae The, rulers of Lahore, therefore, planned t° gainst Gulab Singh?" ~ 15 i Hf fae Pearse, 1, ah Memoirs of Alaxander Gardner, p. 256. BChgn oY, ,p. 346. 158. ea Barkat Rai, pP- ©! 1-2-1845, Broadfoot 139, Ge RPS., letter No.3”, date rivate 202-1845 BP (PRO) 201 160, **dinge to Ellenborous 30/12. 217) Same 1845 EP (PRO) 61, Ge to Same, 23-1- Pe, opt» PAT 162, (inlngham's History of te SS Currie PGR: 163, 84/31 of 7-1.1845, Broaator” Ate “aninghan's History to Curries 12, 21/7)-264 ‘A SHORT HISTORY OF JAMMU RA} i ‘lita to send of plunder, no doubt, impelled the military rulers a oy Becton 3000 men, in February, against Gulab Singh a In addition, the uncontrollable army had almost usurped all auth tity in the State. Byo January the state of affairs at Lahore of theit ome so serious that some members of the Government, in fear of ee lives from the soldiery were glad to see them destroyed in a war We wt British. ‘The Rani and her party even desired a subsidiary alliance Wir British, which alarmed the soldiery still more. The British, howe, decided that such a course must be studiously avoided.” a inst citcumstances the tuling party thought of directing the troops resell Raja Gulab Singh. Thereby it was intended to remove theit press from the capital. gratify their avarice as well as their vengean’ ger when ordered they marched against Jammu with alacrity.1° Only aho® Was net object of the Sikh move on Jammu. ‘The authorities of 13 wanted to ‘conquer’ Jammu, remove Gulab Singh and to sea! gaddi Raghbar Deo, a son of the late Raja Jit Singh. Be Gulab Singh was not unaware of the developments at Labor eit had been feeling the pulse of circumstances all these days. | Vitted thirsted for vengeance on the authorities of Lahore, who had moves Pabhewimbers of his family. But he took resort to diplomatles je Fublically he professed submission to Lahore Darbar, Dut Serf ys meceeiuP every enemy of the Sikhs and’ every ally of himsell tO Kesengers could reach.” He had even recalled his trooP™ v0 ‘shmir, and honourably dismissed every Sikh in his service the treachery. He tried to rally his eople to his ise and Won OVE ed Widow of Raja Stohet Sing and eeope £0 is cause and WFO g ed fresh te ission_ which atid ye cameras sion mobilisation of Lahore armies, He gained enough time Teasures to the hill fastnesses and ‘tc carry treasures and crow from Jasrota to Jammu. By Prolonging the issue he WaMCro;ce De pout the bankruptey of the Lahore Gia oe, ead. thls void decision ona d ak government. He wanted 1 fycesty Rot so foolish, observes GeoT™- yo code Aton » History ofthe Panjab, Vol. 11, p.313, 135-1/8, Currie to Broadfoot, oe oot, 13-1-1845—, i 166, Cunningham's Histor aa : "of the $i chop * , Of the Punjab, 1839-85. MeSlRY- 0p. cit, p. 241 ; BR, 4 is 167. See. Consul, 102 o : ca New Delhi,’ ("°F 441845, Broadioot Currie, 16 Jans"? 168. Ibid,‘SPELL, services j {ftvices in the event of war: a final struggle. He distracted the im! Variety Teport: Peed s of divisions in his favour in Pesha OF DOGRA DIPLOMACY IN SIKH STATE struggle wit a le with the British, to whom indeed he had already offered his time he made all prepara~ 409 At the same y of spaci . ‘becile government with a spacious proposals, at the same time terrifying them with ame and the Derajat. He also promises 20 detac ihed the Mutsaddis, and Sardars by pro™Nath had received bonds O both Bhat Bhaj Ram Singh and Diwan Di Thany Neverthe i it at; less, Gulab Singh’s own position hi i. ae He had partially fail h | Sa Bore had been mobilised nese, Sham Singh ‘Attariwala, ees Khao, and others. Hypo? oF late Raja Dhian ‘Singh and Ganpat Ral, i gh, deserted Gulab Singh’s cause, and joined the ed by Gulab Singh ian Tay Tae sr Tota to them. Nihal Singh Ree Tyas widows followed suit and t jamba and Ramnaga {fairs were settled.” ad been very much ject. The armies st Jammu under Sultan lakhs of rupees to be paid when a iled in his primary ol ‘though reluctuantly, agi Rattan Chand On. their approach i, the Diwan pewbaie Singh was therefore. order whair Singh Wer agreement with Sikh, leaders and 5 ent wth Raja Suchet Singh ‘and the ir Jot wit hnalsa forces: also passed under Withou is it any resistance. ‘The Sambyals tu : ii j and Kuli” uta turned and Khan, Teport Jagirs Ben e si intel uni d pended on Jammu via aja of Rajouri av i the Ch Rener, ssrctals and their troops clos ‘Singh’s enemies. | Thus ae Were lost. Two of Raja Gulab Singh’s Tesi OF his to have revolted and gone over 10 Sikhs. Whole of by. the invaders. TTA bout and territories had been Overrtit sae a from all sides. ay ce on Jammu from a og Hardinge,t0 rere before Jammu» ref to Jawala ‘Sahai the forces ©! f Jammu di men of the sikh army ough'”®, But according amon, THOtNted to 50,000, while those © 1 those Of nd Gulab, Singh, ME arms involv tuation il ‘was perilous indeed + ly on his diplomacy ‘in this crisis and ‘avoided clas essary bloodshed. 4 ja Gulab rg from. Raj confirmation 0; | m December 30, messenge! request for the assure, Sage llesiance and @ India, op- cit» Pr 87. No, m, 17, N73, 4, pence George Six Battles for mit B.R., Kingdom of the ‘Punjab P- 395+ irpa Ram, Gulabnamalt: P 295. « prondtoot 10 Opps, vit, Letter No. 24 BE: reaps, dated 5-1-1845, B urrie, Hasrat, Bikramajit, Puja Papers: P- 8s, Hania ROR. vol. I, Dian? ‘of Mr. P, 520d? elwily ‘esident at Lanore, 17 July 1847. | ne 110 a Taese troops of Gulab Si880 Nn deploy ati 500 were in the fort, 5° ayaa 8S fovered the pill dow @o the plains a0 eserve, ato Ellenboroveh- pera asst 1° thecherous on both sid 7 ae A ston History oF Zax 266 sisi rt ingh. But at ion to Gulab Sing! Som ic \d assurances of protection Singh ted. SORE tame ine the fnres deed tee nae ean ies ited a col master’s jagirs. On the next day, the Darbar grant illary Were Py i ith inereased cavalry and artillery Were ie or ae ce a Sn, At ca la. The force in Hazara was also directed 2 Suchet Singh Kashmir, and thence to Taromar The widow of Raja Suchet Si sil also declared his heir and entitled to his Jagirs. Saran Ba cont Majithia was appointed to govern Jammu hills, when and all the petty Rajas were called on to coopel Jammu family.2*# fot hore i i from Lal 7a On 6th January, Sham Singh Attariwala marched Gulab Singh Jasrota. But all was tumult and fear at the capital " ently Phot Cooled down the Sikh enthusiasm for aggression. conse at bas moves were slowed down. He also sought to sov aunicated Wb guid instigate unrest all round. “He continually com muaaween Dill Darbar and there was continual succession of proposal Peshawar, a ats the Darbar. Unrest had appeared in Hazara, in esis and a Derajat at Multan and several other places. The Mutsadeys a Nath had been detached. Bhai Ram Singh and Divan) arbi gie already been won over. The Bhai had ceased to go to the Dire we detach Sham Singh Attariwala, Gulab Singh had sent to Bit ma 344 Sher Singh Attariwala who had been. for some times diploma san Tefugee from Hira Singh’s government, Gulab Singhs beet ie Wrought havoc at Lahore with the result that, there result th west” intrigues and changes of Parties, producing little ot onsistent £05 1 ie Conviction that out of the present materials a firm and oa entrust oe ment is scacely to be looked for.” Finally, the Darba ir vigour 0? invading force to Sham Singh Attariwale who lent nev “the 18 expedition because of his personal hostility oa how 0% family who had for years hated him. Gulab Si ile LE by took wind off his sail ine cl s by opening negotiations with the pate fac ge emed to be anxious somehow to Singh and f the wwe {9 Some honourable understanding, wath Cua Sil Chill the ignoni Tecked expedition against the wily ce as bis # sent Sardar Chatter Singh Attariwale acy others to Labo: su? with full power to treat a from wi 4 Consequently, it was proposed to transfer the Commane seedy a Singh Attarivata and a treaty Of peace with Gulab. Singh, 7 comity pie saffron hand,” was delivered to the Raja as he shoul rected the conditions. stipulated. “But ic Proposed treaty Wa scotSs foalhs silo Heiected it with insults anh geese grea re owey et a finally agreed to with some Modifications. The treaty aS Gulab 5” 0 ©s and was not likely to be ratified by rool 4 15, vas Picember 27, 1844, and 164/25, December 30, 184 176. 164/36, Breadfoot to Currie, January 16, 1845, P.G.R- 177, 164136, Broadfoot to Currie, January 16, 1845, P.G.R- 178. Ibid, government which se¢SPE LL OF DOGRA DIPLOMACY IN SIKH STATE 267 On the other sid Be te ether aldesie Lahore treasury was so fast emptying that, va their tedious and ineffectual mode of warfare, it was feared that ice ier revolution must arrive before the resources of the Renccd ee could be made ‘available by force. It was, therefore, fs y any means to obtain part of them as facilitating the acquis~ ition f ihe of the rest. Like a dexterous politician Gulab Singh worked out He sent messengers to deliver over {his situation to his own advantage, fie fort of Tasrota to the Sikhs in pursuance of the teat and thereby interrupted the separate sotations of Misn Jawabir Singh itt the fils." The fort was te negrered and occupied by about 2,000 Sikh Peeps under Rattan Singh Mann. The news of this event reached Ferore on January 23, Te! The terror and perplexity. of tbe Darbar Fa pee ve place to immoderate exultation which was shown erase presente ‘and ‘in gross and open debauchery both by the ee and her brother.””? he Darbar when the treasure at Fares indeed was the frustration of Ris WAS found to contain only ‘bout two and quarter lakhs of Ringe eee, ‘surrendering the fort of Jasrota ‘under the treaty Gulab tees had stripped it of its treasure. ‘This seems to have exasperated Tale itiP Pe a who. had_in utter desperation invited the army to nemy of the State. mn ee n arch sgainst Jammu. | Gulad in tan was declared enetny o f The dispossessed Rajas of Rajouti decid to excite insurrection in these were enc hill dependencies of Dhian d just been guaranted by th Singh which ba y the treaty to Mian Jawahir Singh. Gulab Singh 4 to Darbar’s reproaches inting ony Gulab Singh sharply reacted a P yp’ it this latter ae arf bad faith on the part of Lahore Darbar. | At empaame time he ‘hastened his efforts by intrigue and bribery to Saertass the Darbar and 10 sclay still further actual collision with the Sil troops. He even obtained BY 2 {to the slave, Mangla, Ue silence ‘of the Rani wh a Iry violent against im At the hin’ time he wrote to the ‘British offering t° transfer his allegiance and. Ha Services to the Britis! Government 02 certain conditions. Hardinge was pleased to report Oe ment singh has again written (9 Paes host Gulab Singh's gents; how- sda delightful to enter into terms 1845, P.G.R- 179, Fd, 161/40, Broadtoot to Curr he 164/47, Broadfoot to Curtiey tes ORPS,, VIL, 164/45, 92 scant tte S., Vit, 164/45, 29 of Uvas a voluntary *\ fer of his own through fo Currie. The first overture ¥ vf w allude to is ‘answer to the: scotch a Shean ont roar fatrigue of a Free eo 10 Ja lay Targhprevended delay, finding he could £° mission from n Capt: ills , ngnest of the Punjab 3 the Penance oF ty recetved Sty rejected, proposals Reet, Previonsty ils from Jamtoe hat Dis peo ose ng Hn Broad: the Rajah has now sent US 2 jeter © ‘de St. ‘Armand will have bis foot will show up the imposter 1845, Broadfoot nose cut or be hanged:268 A SHORT HISTORY OF JAMMU RAJ ever, were active enough to vitiate Lahore atmosphere in his favour". They represented that “pending negotiations, Gulab Singh would pay within six months 50 lakhs of rupees to enable the Darbar to suppor the army'**” but if attacked, ‘he would send away to the mountains, al his treasure and fight to the last | ...7285 The result of this was disconcerting as anticipated. The Lahore troops, after the first division had gone 20 miles, halted. Some comm anders feigned illness, while others stayed on’ the ground of being Gangerous to go among their men. When they had received the pO; mised gold necklaces, they still refused to proceed, till the Darbar bad sfonted a more satisfactory line of conduct with respect to Gule Singh who was now declared an old and faithful servant of the rete ie jg Hlowever_a Sikh army of 5776 men was sent from Lahore towards Jammu on February 8, 1845 under Lal Singh. In about (w' peeks, his troops from Lahore gradually closed up to the neighbou- hood of Jammu in communication with Sham Singh. ing ns move of the Rani and the Darbar however, forced Gultb ‘Singh to react violently. “He caused delay in Sham Singh’s advan ‘fom Jasroxa ...by breeding mutual distrust. between the {r00PS a the chiefs by every means, for delay was his object™”" He aistribate his money freely among the Panchayats of resiments 3 he. svat Sikh generals, courtiers Diwan Dina Nath had alread istributed ly been won over. Now he distrib yur ‘money freely among the Pana ae their favo ‘by his. personal ate meats of regiments and won theit AV, He opened direct negotiations with yi, tuner, Wiese delegates, selected from the racks: axceeding taid his sword We thee st, humbly received by Gulab Singh. “ofthe itera ke theic feet and declared them as representatives ge, He had givens haters He thus won over the troops 0 his $4 ikhs of rupees. to Pesh fngh who daily De Darbar at Sialkot and received ye ewes Singh, seo The een an offer to Gus ne, deputation from the army"? ypich a ee Singh to take the office of Wazit» 465!!, Broadioot to Currie, 23.2-18:8, 7.6.2. sven 5p casa, 10) Hist ofthe Ss, p,261. Gulab Singh had git tyd 10% Se dtton Hom ty ty ay? Bed Barbara 2 Banting *o Ellenborougk-Private-Calcutta, 8 March, 1845 185! © “nningham, J.D. History of the Sikis, OP. cit. ps 241 _ at 3si ~Atks between Lal Singh and SPELL OF DOGRA DIPLOMACY IN SIKH STATE 269° of course he had declined in favour of Peshora Singh, who had consented to accept it provided. his demand of five or six heads _be ened 1 This deal of Gulab Singh had far-reaching results. = ‘Singh and other Sikh ‘Commanders lost hold on the army. Rani findan and her brother were so unnerved that they thought of fight across the Sutlaj on February 21 and 22, but were prevented by the troops at Lahore.” The situation, however, improved a dubious act of Gulab Singh. | Au agfee le army “panches” with Gulab Singh. arrears of his tribute and the army sent money, hag LusY eeceived four lakhs as the first instalment. But when they ad gone a chor! distance from Jammu they were waylaid and delibera- rely murdered by Gulab Singh’s orders, and money Was brought back oJammu.ts, Chi, compromised Gulab Singh's position . with the army. Some fighting took place, but with no important results.2*# Peace was soon negotiated. General ‘Mewa Singh and many others Were won over by Gulab Singh. He promised to increase the pay Of the troops to Rs. 15 per month who declared their avegiance 10 him and were ready to march to Lahore and make him Vazir The arm: im to Lahore under oaths of safety of his- Person and Pte (pakie Aziz-ud-din, Bhai Ram Singh and. wan Dina Nath had already manipulated the shsiqoy ot his favour. He was delivered to the Darba ty of 2,000 army panclcy Who also 1 on csorted. the Raja on, bis visit the palace. ‘ome of the principal Chiefs were ‘ordered by the Panchayats to- Conduct Gulab Singh from his place of confinement and back again.. Thal regpene De orgs one of the SHUmPL LCN TL terms A reconciliati voted, and he received, favor He was See Was ‘to the Darbar. But plowen peas also made for the losses the Raia had suffered. AS ae It ne aia Fey tment aPC Hara extorted” Singh s bid for Poe tparee of all the. territories formerly Delong May, 1 ion of Wazarat he chang ing to Dhian Singh. fn and thus manipulated in favour of Lahore Darbar by ment had been negotiated by He had agreed to pay the Vakils (envoys) to receive the dated 23-2-1845. 3-2-1845. Caleutea, Gone Currie, . 165/1 Broadfoot to 12 PG.R Broadtoot #9 Curr, dated 2 93. Hardinge to Ellen borough, (PHYS 30/12 (21/7)-Hasrat, P-P.» P: °” 194. oid, t 195. acres, vir, 193/88 of 141885, Be 8. M’Gregor, Hist, of the Sikh, ee Reigning Family of Lahores P- © + 49 Currie. PGR, 165/31 of 551885, BOM to curtie. P.G.R., 165/31 of 9-5-1845: PrO™ 2-3-1845, EP (PRO): to Currie. 7 :G.c. Smyth, A Hist. of the: 197, 198,ws 270 ‘A SHORT HISTORY OF JAMMU BI ished his exit from tics fo his advantage, so that everybody wished his exit Tahores He had visualised the foro fate of the Lahore Kingdoe alls its impending aissolution and thought it better to retire to the Tig which he did at the close of July. Thus Gulab Singh who, eyed Wwonderfil git of evading assassination and violent ceath, 2” SPA, great presence of mind and a Machiavellian adroitness in. extHetyeg himself from a nasty situation," and returned home, eats hom well as physically unscathed.2 ” As soon as he was back in he te territories, he reopened negotations with the Bri sh and offre es his services in the event of a war against the Sikhs.” For the tile already round the corner as later events were to show Liore as th being all parties heaved a sigh of relief on his leaving the : pice than contestants for Wazurat were more afraid of his diplomacy danger of the rival. angb Wa It is evident that the expedition against Gulab Singh, ke rightly timed when much of his force and courage had et testa” on account of events of 21 December. But Gulab Singh's | stat thot TP tamed much ofits velocity and turned the scales against Lab, ft alrea! Darbar. The whole affair proved quite a heavy burden on the aiding depleted Lahore exchequer. Diwan Dina Nath stated that y ie 25 lakhs of rupees remitted i it} in the first days of joy and gener ons extra expenditnre in fifteen days amounted to “a crore of This was only the expen crisis which lasted for more the return? Gulab Singh a with the payment of 27 lakhs.20 diture of the first fifteen days 1 yas than two months. And i ‘away ccepted to pay 68 lakhs, but he £0) "eft The government treasury WS jong of rupees. Gulab Singh’s diplomacy 0 People ing the whole affair had virtually brought about the com 201. Morison, Joha L, 202. Khushwant Sin, Lucknow, London, 1934, p. 92 31. # Sikhs, Lond on 1966, Vol. Ul, P: 203. Bawa, Satinder Singh, op. cit, P. 83, r wh, op. cit,, Vol. II, p, 37, urrie, 7 January, Sec. Consult. 58 of 20-6-1845, 204. Khushwant Sin, 205. Broadfoot to ¢ 206. nP wal 1845 Sec. Consult. 68 of 4-4-1845 Foreign Office NAI, N.B.271 SeE ‘LL OF DOGRA DIPLOMACY IN SIKH STATE ‘combinati i i ination of the Sikhs and the Dogras, the mainstay of the Lahore Go " Heicad of by during and after Ranjit Singh’s rule, had ceased.’ Berea ans the Lahore Government, now Gulab Singh sought Ranjit’s de: atk it, From the treatment he had received from them since aulit’s death, it was evident, thet, he had no cause of gratitude or family had ie ‘the Lahore Darbar, by whose orders and intrigues his sally had been nearly exterminated, bis possessions taken, and his of their time and resources in Moreever, the Sikhs wasted most 0 moved against the British the Ja : | fis Jammu His when they should, have gnu taken them by surprise. The invasion ‘of Jammu by the Govern- Pica the, Lahore was therefore an ill-considered action which recoiled cn ad ee eet the British power! in tndiaa It also. 1d fu gation of Jammu and Kashmir State, os overlords whose aggressive nS ‘fer his. loyalties from Lahore WCatcutta, and explains his offer OF allegiance to the British | fuelgor-General of India. | In @ confidential letter Gulab Singh oe ies the shift in his loyalties in the most emphatic and decisive dees yc Now the Sikhs” writes he, Wiwithout any just cause put to the following members of my family & the;e¥ti* Dhian singh, Rajah Socheit singh, jt Personal followers. Raja Hera, Singh | it attendants,” | our {On this account, “declares Gulab Singh,”” we are absolved from ‘Megiance to the Khalsa.” fa hae 5 let ‘eten immediately after the | revolust™ es Ben a ee ete immf and other Dogra leaders Rete killed, He anticipated attack on ingiiau, and so he was desirous legguse,the army at Lahore was then disorganise Raiee Kesree Singh, with ‘Mean Rooden Singh with Bal, 88,, Anglonsikh Relation 1B. © HN Hertinge fy atienboroage, 7 Joes. 18467 CeO ey Br. Mut aga Ms, #0, 859 12,00 an (Wo oat L 40,677 edd Qtiab Singh 10 Geel: VO"NET pardinge fo, Elenborovsn, . Haar Dara Pied Peet, Coa BEBE Singh's. assertions potas, Biramalit, Pee oach iustlieyalees Yet Seve te ahore and fis wicas for tansfettilE Bi tovaltics Jreachery cowards Tahore | brought against him charges of oslo Sager. Te asserted, hat Oe 208. is | 209, 210, | State, as a vassal a “holder. .° “some doubts have | anu nea wit is eRe TO, d during tre before the invasion of sould nave sided wit Mojo Late cag. dslovel cones fer the ame SHOWN OP OF his treRCeT and ambiguous. After, that Jemma, But proof os mper, 1644 af fast the aes of Lahore, a fact event he ope omnbepvensetul Bt is peraaps ‘Depectiug much from which Cuneo gn himselt camitted: IE Fate should have remained 2 poe ee Stage fa crumbling, ye had been Pe prosted fo a umiliat= t 1 ei yn his fterwards. | {eyalin crore onation, ET Mg gbortv® d beet ee on his life afterward tractive 1sm 2m ‘a snort HF ment by almost unheard acts of oppression, ony OF JAMMU RAD go. Lahore Govern: Thus was Gulab Singh “roused to oppositiO"ppough his of OPPor ‘Th Tran Was confident | allegiance was not honoured then. Yet Gulab fe trump card. He that opportunity would come when he would holt bided his time. His opportunity came whe? crossed the Sutlej with the intention of invading om an Overshelm Posts on 11 December, 1845 and the First Anglo->* For the time being, the Jammu Raj was saved ; ing deluge and the credit for this undoubtedly ‘Lahore — troops ns,e British military ‘war broke out, °5 Gulab Singhs lesser faith it estute diplomacy. At such a juncture a man WiC. easily succumbed himself and with a little less strong nerves would Hav" before a tremendously large combination of ens dispossessed chiefs, medley of greedy soldiers» desperate rulers. Gulab Singh’s _intellectué his diplomacy of gold and sword-brandishing» Moy them and he succeeded not only surviving himself the principality from the perils. — |. Ibid. Ra, Brown to Genl. Venture, dated 10 (or Jammoo). ies, Old and new, mjous generals ant equanimity and ever Vanguished also in salvaging 16) January, 1345 (1? | |CHAPTER THIRTEEN Dogras Get Jammu & Kashmir State Although estrangement between the Dogra Rajas and the Sikh Court had started immediately after Ranjit's death, still they stood for the integrity of the Lahore kingdom and specially Dhian Singh Dogra gave his life and blood in the struggle against discordant elements in the State. They held unequivocal loyalty towards the great Maharaja, and seem to have desired to codtinue so after him. But the attitude of Lahore court, under the shadow of British intrigues, antagonised Gulab Singh, and forced him by atrocities to change his entire attitude and policy in rela- tion io the Lahore Darbar. Gulab Singh's attitude towards the tottering Sikh state was to a large extent conditioned by the developments since the time of the assassination of Maharaja Sher Singh and his Minister Raja Dhian Singh Dogra. fier this incident there was a complete collapse of administ- tration and law and order in the Lahore state and the rulers lamentably failed to re-establish government authority and to harness the mutinous army which had learnt to murder the rulers and to plunder the people. ‘As such there was every likelihood of distintegration of Ranjit’s ill-knit kingdom and little hope of its survival. Punjab Kingdom had, no doubt, become the ‘sick-man’ of India with no hope of recovery. The rulers of Lahore had become despaired and the shrewd Gulab Singh had read the writing on the wall as clearly as British Diplomats had done. Out of natural sympathy he was though sorry for the dying man, yet the black glimpse of uncertain future equally solicited his concern. Nobody could save the Lahore kingdom from’ headlong disintegration except collective efforts of its courtiers, chiefs, governors and rulers who were themselves rent with mutual distrust and jealousies. This realisation had made Gulab Singh lukewarm towards the cause of Sikh Kingdom. ‘The spirit with which Sikhs entered the war with the British further drove Gulab Singh away from the interests of the Lahore kingdom. This was a strange war fought not for conquest and victory but for defeat and destruction. No doubt it was a suicidal war. The chiefs in their desperate condition desired the destruction of the army and their Testoration to power. These men desired that their only chance of retaining power was to have the army removed by inducing it to engage in a contest which they believed would end in its dispersion and pave the way for their recognition as ministers more surely than if rhey did their ‘Hardinge to Ellenborough, Dogra, 23 October, 1845 EP (PRO) 30/12/(21/7) 273274 A SHORT HISTORY OF JAMMU RAY duty by the people? The Ranee and her advisers courted collision for the purpose of employing their unruly soldiers against their friendly neighbour, as the safest means of extricating themselves from the pet- sonal dangers to which they were constantly exposed.’ By means of the war, they expected ‘‘in the first instance, to be released from the terrorising presence of the uncontrollable troops: and that secondly they could use either victory or disaster to their own advantage. On the eve of the Sikh war, Sardar Jawahir Singh, brother of Ratt Jindan and the maternal uncle of Maharaja Dalip Singh, had been made Prime Minister of Lahore State, with Rani Jindan as Regent. This put Sikh goyernment, however, failed to get Sikh support and the at remained as allergic to civil authority as before. Rather the Panchayat ofthe army were threatening to murder Sardar Jawahit Singh. THY Tose to a man against him, accused him and summoned him to 4% parade of the whole army hacked him to pieces with bayonets am brought about his death worse than a dog's in the very presence o sister, Rani Jindan, the mother of Maharaja Dalip Singh.? This exasperated the Rani, In a fit of despair she swore to wre pengeance on the whole Khalsa which was responsible for the murda her brother and unprecedented lawlessness, ‘The fire which had beet . $0 long played with now became master. *“The idea of the Mahi — in her spirit of revenge was after that of Iago; Whether Briton hl ) / e 1 e Sikh, or Sikh Killed Briton, or each do kill one another, each way a4 ‘art ae an my gain” as she feared the Sikhs for more than the British. ™* a 2. Guaminghan's history of the Sikhs, p.257, 3. Governor General Hardi Reroreot + Gen rai is Camp Fero’ December, 18S BI Cee *® Secret Committee, Camp . i $, jouth nd Innes, Me Sis and the Sikh Wars, p. Wl. 3 Tay ltlligence, Broadfoot to Currie, communicates intolige Bet gt sovermert® oops march out to the plain. of Mian Mir, a8 a7 Sinahvor in: ie {be Bame of the Khalsa Panth, “demand Kunwar aby Drothesy Mythe case of his death, Sardar Jawanir Singh (1H Si who e2); NBO is supposed to have murdered itn + Sardar dertroore | members of the Gaed out im the Lahore fori, finding # ae | ‘ Nee uation are made prisoners and one of ENE. Igy in, is sent back to tell the de et jah by aces tyke! the Rani that she muse surrender SMG gosothy the Ranj, Seria y Gate. the whole of ‘the garrison in the fF patty Sardar Jawahir Singh and the other members 0! ile ab | fo oft fe cam of the troops, where Jawahar sina 8, Hay si ang othe 82ciates while most” of the thor eccape RAM Ana Ny | reg made prisoners; the Rani, the Maharaja Diva ao pe ahore For’ released next morning and allowed t© The ti: Plunder the wiarsens Jawahir Singh's body with them Teaja Lal Sevid0ws Of Jawahir Singh on their way, t0 the “the ab Pat into irons by the troops for having death of Sergi ff all Sikhs,” Diwan Dina Nath ordered {inc the Valls ac gg co eabit Singh to all the Goveraars Of Prtemegr overnment fg spoon the Agent, Governor General ol, 0f 6-9-1845,» “PPOInted by the troops (C) (SI 2750) ORPS+ 6 Gordon, Si Gordon, Sir John J & H., The Sikhs, tnerdl ‘unet P. 132,275 DOGRAS GET JAMMU & KASHWIR STATE inst the : , » against the Brit Jindan, therefore, saw safety in huslin® camera oe ayonets to be cut up by them hh some describ , ich some descr _Such was the real objects of the Sik on bon ebiehitinclaan national war against a Teveist “powers Whe that Foreien power 0 bn the Ragent herself, ‘vrs eatriguing, WE y army. Gute Sinat io ABOUT The desea eer aHET of an UMN been accused of foster pant the destruction and downfil OF ye had ee he lawless Khatr tee ace ia the an presi Like the Rani aa and periaps suffered the most during, ts She soldiery._ Only through tet lovers, he too wanted the estroction OF, op, their power Cetroyed. ih a war thei energies could be, JS) Gould Be eRe rN He was aware that a war with the ENBUSS ed fron ta seteanies yer both he and the Ran ‘“ i rah numiliate Paes anpgent Khalsa he Rani wow’ defeated ote There Was Fy en stn al Tay wold een ie ie S0¥ereign power w 2 Mite be 12% probing as hand. iMependable and oe “pyervon® wes 2 a ; the hour fixed by the ably it was only Gulab Singh“ as m. W8S Cops, but not a Chief And th nhs tr astro td the war came at last. EleVeTop of tO, regular, itregular to Stirred “e725, tuspicious for the mary bch bat py TUmber sem Bis cs The officers Aged 10 the ving that the fortunate Piereason; the of thousands fO%?” them; Craxen till the astrologer our Been the Rani tied t0 S67 o¢ be WHE should be instantly done fo oe the march could this SMP scence to find proper a Pn The crowd demande jnto thelr Pom should march, and tne Gout astrologer was 0 ered and BEY, ghiel 20 march should ised ha ay ans an em Dinca ue ney made 2 urging the march, 0 Th: | he trOOPS Sas they got their pay; they ye Rani complained that whilst tis 25 FOS) at unless something 80d Sham git going home to theit Ve pis bn his WAY erpzepere) is dont Singh Attariwalah declared iaself OP site’ true of the sepoys ith cme (2 St , this he woul ind was sud ne dieeeyy tents? Waa the ani SAK ad Shousht ‘would come Toesent Tito their houses; the who! el othing Oe that many of the m* jourt for Wa Some of . owerless against the Stch w. p tne D4, | the ‘‘Sardars tHe old gic gewe the Preparations of piss PU pherefore, all re in_general tho, Ourt ardars were averse oldiety,. 5 trooPS», reluctance thought and the insotence of 185 “he als ith evider ese ty tliged to join and | deo Al © war,!0 "The Sikh atm 2 PN peace ® eysu (1): Thorburn, 8.8. The Punjab it We 35 » Broadfoot to ents 21 NOY 9, eadfoot to Government oe 11, M'Gregor, The History af thes site ur vernor-General to Secret ea fl i 1945-BISLrs 216 A SHORT HISTORY OF yangsqu RA and was‘ ‘calling Gulab Singh, who was collecting forces at Jammv and was watching the progress of events,” to whom it was quite «evident that the Rani and the Chief are, for’ their own preservation, endeavouring to raise a storm which they will be powerless either to direct or allay.” |The chiefs, with a view to secure their own interes were in calandestine communication with the British. Both Lal Singh gud Tej Singh had written to the English, and in ail probability Ra Zindan was aware that Lal Singh had written to the British to eof sider him and the Bibi Sahiba (Jindan) as their friends and cut up the burchas (ruffians, i.e. the Khalsa) for them,” Thus the Sikhs entered the war in a clumsy and leisured manté™ The court astrologer was again demanded to fix another day and He announced 23rd as a fortunate date on which the army commenced ti | march, but halted some miles from Lahore because having got theif Pay many soldiers went home. ing wo nils# did not seem serious over the war, It seems they na {ping t0 avoid it if possible. But their pride and vanity compel them to make a funny show of war Preparations, while their rulers #%° Senerals revelled in debauchery at the Prospect of destruction of th! army. As such the defeat of the Khalsa was a foregone conclusio™ Some writers, however, would not belien= in the turn of Sikh tide wy | erat csttinsic factor,’ which they were Pleased to find in the pets) of the “omnipotent” ‘Gulab Singh who was supposed to have given crit, tad nae 10 the whole affair. "Raja, Guise Singh, observed ote army ant fulilled his promise," “to divide the Tas Government, dom ai the people,” ignoring the fast tmec these elements of the Ki Singh's pow N2%® Mever united coherently even in the heyday of FA%f sae myPOweE and as soon as he died. thee wit amin Sates ‘Si matter of diplomacy, and Gulab’ Singh certainly excelled all, to grieeene craft. Jt was unwise ce tee part of the rulers of Lalit loyalty fonise him at such a jumeture and continue to expect help ‘ally Hom him afier unsuccessfully, attempting to annihilate him- on sltously moved towards the frontier 4 fl WSreTOSS the Sutlej. “Lord, Hardinge de the south of the Sutlej were eon i a i chi ‘d upon to cooperate in punish aie with”. All the Sikh and non-Sikh chiefs of the a Were the tins no CxeePtiON threw their lot with the dete, The Hl SY (0 rie against the Sikh occupation, if fe ical wisdom and Tt 1om they had estranged bY 4° ihe him in his capital ol vit im tO cause by sincere WY ten months before They conid win hit ob ell expiation for Nicholson's Diary, dated 12-12-1 Bruce, George, Six Battles for Ganda Singh, Anglo-Sikh W ay the wrongs done to him by t 2 13, | 845 | M India, 1989, pp. 95-96 rs, Introduction, p. 81.277 : . 4 : DOGRAS GET JAMMU & KASHMIR STAT sate and dt thre Coutt, The rulers had no ambition £9 Mifab Singh and 1° take him in fore deem it necessary to make up Wit confidence. ‘ . ere I cked ina ceacly goaieh When at Ia sen forces NETS hr Mudki, on December 18 for theft ne with he BUY onc and ebay they thought of the Dogra chief Wits impruden inflicted hi 8 ‘gnd its IPP very count. Three days a ee Khalsa Teance ‘a Shother staggering defeat later on Deserta 1. eaten frees Sst che fe oF Tai, embed aft . mane ke the morale of the ie Drave fight throughout the mia zest Toyal to the Darbar. naniyalanee” | This disaster had remaie pouebt 40,000 men by a Ar Ee, Of brave commanders Wh) could ithe Sikbs to 2h eae He ci i i id a critical and difficult game ra ete oe aad his argh aharaja, and to kill the erator tg ile fg himself and his ind to kil I ‘ Sang eh Ect ot gata Me qhenttym Me. ged other Wise tess, SHO Fe shayyats of thi the Rani Teagan ton IO! to str ane tending Pete fold at any Sige ,Culeb Singh cole My wilt ag 2 Me oun ode > affecti to see eatiDE, sin -he s Loment, whether. he carriers 1 of what they would wit rhe was rth h the’ Siichs He got all the “fr ome-fOr' to the effect that they TM with ij i ‘ith 2 nect he army and the ea immense display With 2 tneit MS” that the SR Put placards in Gurl Sindh gous SUPP Tee 1 : pane I fonty might eng cna ncessi oe tus batieDe rn 2 ici eeaaed esta and Geo ig a he pay ecideg {tiend.* But before, trusslerres one: democratic resis 440 await the result of thesia. set Op the, Ua had therefore Sikh cigllowed, his position "4° pructiOn ¢ state." a1 army would be Khajgligtachy’ hoped for the sake ov Uthat ‘the Strely Step in asa Sxpeceey, Mich was tryiNe 1 "he W8i on he could therefore tarried desis sympathetic though Meats thee “phe Reg join it oblised Eetiato, by their powerful OPPO"tne SiKDS ot he Wen determined to Ut th T between the British "Gin wut ow he was t0 Bim er sik! 5 yw he ima tg pePeAted demand of the ahoFs ould show a'that is to end: Kee, a ‘cave Jammu and proces ‘the onset Seat ae iy for campaign- acts Sar of the struggle until ged £4 Brn all is Te js a race 10 the i Calon 4m not going emp) Singh- 0, isaid BE emporised- But he ing, off ts” gave out Gulab Sth wat,” hus he Sapitay L Start, This will be 4 1gmost: 968. Aud devil c: he hi rr P atch the Gard ISB jexand” case, Hugh, Memoirs SA “gt. 69, 17, MGregor, Hist, ofthe SNS? ggias ® | 1B, ypnce George, Six Battles f°" "49, ‘Gregor, Hist. of the Sil" ~~278 A SHORT HISTORY OF Jayngy, a held the power to create an insurrection which should have shaken the British power more even than the mutiny of 1857. _Alll the prot Sikh States in the Malwa, Nabna, Shind and Patiala were! teady tt envelop the British army in case of reverse.” But from the disorganised manner the Sikhs enteved war, Gulap, Singh could rightly anticipate their defeat, Moreover, he had not been Consulted on or taken into confidence in the affair. He, therefore, dallied participation in a war which had almost been lest by the division oF loyalties among Sikh chiefs and the lukewarm celuctance of the Khalsa forees, If things had been in his power he would have avoided the situation. «Had Gulab Singh succeeded Jawaheer Singh, observes M’Gregor, ‘he would have used his best ond ornee to Prevent a colli- sion between the Sikhs and the British 2 So he had not approved of the Sikh action in being first to break’ the treaty of 1809 by crossing the Sutlej. He knew the ill intentions of the Rani Jindan and courtiers in inciting the army for a war but he nav nat expected the army to vem cate matters. |The two consecutive deleats of tne Khalsa fora is and revealed to him true intentions of the ru aaa of Lahore. He had therefore decided to Temain neutral, and avoides Joining a suicidal wer, nad iain jHowever, after Mudki and Ferozeshah even the Rani had implore Gulab Singh’ to come to ‘Tenge mdb is troops to her aid. Hy Hongesive answers. After the battle of Aliwal more pressing invite Engh 7, 22m! Re alone in this opinion ed cleat wl hore rssh, because he had not eke? Part against them." The Later, atbar, k owing ‘he had mot Participated in their crimes chose fe employ him for a particular object as being the man most accept meant British) this mots ee Singh had four nt Sceasion opportune to Teturt e and was t n from Jammu to Lahore an Zcously hailed as minis tf 3 vat (1846) to gi cr ‘and leader at Lahore on the 27th Jam 6) to give unity and Vigour to the counsels of the Sikhs.** ke its heiatt But Gulab Singh came too late : thei ached HS Tas and defeat and. subjection speedily ‘oven ed Ie The need sharp deo a"y tt Alival the ben aeook, them Smith Fa, bath f pact on Renjodh Singh Majnhaa yes Ajit Singh of Ladwe ied of hom fled the ‘field. Large number of Sikh soldiers We" sc 10 the eng AY Were Grovined inthe ee Fifty six guns wer 19, 20. M'Gregor, W.L., Histor 21. Hardinge to Ellenboro Punjab Papers, Hasrats 2. Bid, 23. Governor-General to the Secret Committee, 3rd February, 1846 24. Cunningham's History of the ‘Sikhs, p. 275, f Alexander Gardner, p, 164. Y Of the Sikhs, p, 49, ) ct Ou ugh (Priy: june 0}, 30/12 prog Ate) 7 June, 1846 (PRO)The defeat of Ali é yacuation bY the Sikh garrisoy the & ; aay of all the forts hit fies resulted i the ghments of aliore selaiers ml of sae out of tg ser SU) art pent sion of the whole, of {he territory on the left bank of the ‘river 10° Fhe defi ; ing Sin Ee rejoicin; in united eat cr the Sikhs at the Pu poticipated victOTy, completely s and exulting 1p Sing! protested publicly in the Darbar against all that hed. bee? Sete Tea oe jed them for Bi andl em canbe en mness and ar po overo ‘mated Hs acepted the ally of Rope emi 2 een ee ately opened negotizeans with PP Fenalish ubspritish Government.” overthrew their whole scheme- poGRAS GET JAMMU & KASHMIR STATE 279, an “yea impored the Raia, where miliary sell yee of, we rem against te ee ee Singh is report s considerable," ynted them tel © Bea ighting Singh is reported to have merely (UN gyal OF more than @ quarter of a century. m Ranjit Singh ha ee ae og the English. when you Sst | erossed refrained from joining you 2a gould Tbelp you now whet Sa eee sie tol oem, ‘ny oft oe Se Era ood ree ggcrtain. defeat.” when the gee inet ate iteted at them bin Soran i come cnment a 8 oUt a fe hat the . 1A, iat, at , honourable aad eT gn st ne eyed aa songs, from the impensits disses hale nad been toyed and eter chert ‘the. BN Csoyernine ha Cie cee Mohieved ee Rast and, bet (erelemeny wifes. They eased ment and Nay iey wante 2a interests {he only person Gilad Sin gareaaurs thee tel gonel in ask #S Mopected to ead the Eterat eae this OF 04 ree severe defeats aa alsa to victory, the Brit already SU yeezed ON ‘of the British the as they bad yave guerre in the heat of a despaired pe had desired. been shatt st t ered, ‘wou! 24 defeat city possible earns reumst the extent alsa would n08 9 Hopes 2nd one Singh ney 11 hoP?S Semnor General which antered 8 the Gi patter2d to the O°" He was to be made The lost is, defeat of Atiwal bag ni on t might «jeng it sending a ad unica ingemen (she British Governor- Tiister ead to overtures Be Fate eral) like tos he is rea ) like to order.””* ane f0 oF the defeated Lahore nt o , ettleme + committe, Samp Kana = ye S0eteh al Orders P- She Gad ait ener ae Eh Governor Genes of spate ond pp. 642-43. 27, Hush Morsay, 1 of Bat dle A, ee | ag, tees Gasree stores ee ese, came Feroee aS Se eh aaa fardinge to bis wer Bees. Whit —__Mni a3 — negotiating for 5280 A SHORT HISTORY OF JAM jy » Oulab Singh had his own interests also in view, The ees of Sikh State was imminent and the disband of the Khalsa unavoidable as Hardinge had euphes in cae that “It is indispensable that the Sikh army shout pe tania Their state of anarchy and mutiny is the cause of all the ae a and that “the existence of the Sikh jeri on ae eretore eae ht © permitted to remain as it is,” Gulal ing! > a is personal physician, a Hindu named Bansider Ghose, ‘ert e his hehalf with the British. He is said to have vitten one help the British in their campaign with all means in his powe ey Qould confirm him and his family forever in possession 0 their a Gitates and lands ; leave him also in possession of all te . z il five annas in Under his rule ‘‘contenting yourselves with a tribute of fiv every rupee of revemue,”” hose assis« The letter was handed over to Major Henry Lawrence, whos tant, Lake, wrote in reply ; iy ¢ tain mvs “He who wishes to climb the summit of a lofty ver him ere Be start at day breek. Should he delay night may close ov “ch is buried in the d gained the desire of his heart, Fhe treasure which is Poh fst 0 depth of mountain will become the prize of that man w! Teach its summit,""% F Lake fot ig though Hardinge has been reported to have reprimended (a this hasty reply as he was not in favour of committing bis at while hostilities we tl : displeased re going on, yet he was by no means ead) napa Oovernment, in the ers eS PH RO Singh rdinge wee toretiate. “Tam obliged to be sot and haughty.” Bare a to his wife, ‘but propose to allow him to come to Pret Sobra0, crake beginning. “Hardinge fee © comme fo Prapes vat esta tOss the Sutlej, lay sieze to hore, Amritsar, Multan and | wweathef, Tas task full of grave risks, specially in the approaching hot ™y a involvement in su in rt fa Protracted campaign micht als0 raed be oe - 2 he Sikh force at Sobraon cou! troyed by one def 2 lead e chigh nt Gulab Singh might. well become all the desperate chiefs in the Punjab 8" seat oll Negotiation with Gulab sin rene re opened. ced 4, to him that provided the bale rane greatly retell Grength, Sikh sovereignty oe Lahore would still be ackne i jemel, Gulab Singh was satisied oy iy Prospect of an honourable $4 Ugh Could also bring credit eee statesmianshp ia e232 UF ajsvantl ceiving some war indemnity f. sobra0" He therefore, ordered the Khalsa a! off Britis! withdrawal after re Some Sikh forces, Sa 29, 30, be Bruce in Six Battes for India, p- 174 a Lane Govemmasskes Political Assistant to Maj, JE,2 eaeral. Cf. Gulabnama, P. 8 given'as Nandine 1 “31 January, 1846, Camp FerozeP? 31(pOGRAS GE fia sr samatu & KASHMIR STATE sae withdawn caused pepeeelien across the sutlej, into Lahore territory. His soldiery on uncertainty a! "morale, and it was not ‘obeyed. order gpately rough again disobeyed. Nvil_ and di jomatic authority and The Ravice and ght about the doom il. the, Lahore Sine EL Stats the. Waterco was disregarded. He was expected {6 settle eens qwhich instr tate without of cOUrse the obedience ‘of military force sie Wi ‘ument diplomats S°° their views through. ith ith mu , ch of the Sik force intact, which was later destroy ntacts Wy his subtle ewes subraon, Sete ee could bring int? " receive an British confined 10 he south of the ‘Sutlej and contented Prer'g an indemalty sad 0 gal supplicatice ‘-emensty. Immediat to Gulab sth nea and Tpation OF 3c ng ettlement, TOW satay Bis movesnd arom the, Ay at Hardinge had weloamed Kingdom » ‘ard had not envis annex any part of, teed it indispe, north of Sutlej-_ OP § ‘occasion ‘Hardinge had only fou eT it indispensable that the sikh ATEY should Hempanded, Their at owas wins ‘mutiny is my of all the Snischiefs®* he eae NedisRoaee favour of condues! o art of the Sikh Kingdom “as Sie Wee ‘over-grown and large © we do not want terri pay expen shall keep what W° ave confiscated ‘on this side, make ae Bihave e ntoee clip their comas and lesser their power, but 2 Sith aad O8en averse to, annex Territory 224 J still hope to Keep Up Muhamnitiom shat Fa Hindoo people # Fy radistisnguished oe lan.” We opus alas qu and capacity, might meh not desired for hunself an ‘Gir more desirous of unjab,”’*! did not nied (0. Sr v , honourable terms | pee a impatient all faith in their Hardi chose roe was also not ignorant, protracted th the Sikhs ip 8 leper 1e war. b Cehendent kingdom that 00 1g the acknowledeed, minister, © oo he armies of Lahore, WHICH, Sry retrace tory rene jh terntor bony final SH like th fon the Rhalge sna on a fee balsa fr He Governor, leaders’ asa from 1° gions fia 1ost and ppepg’bom, they hat Pot only 1d Teves Oo Gi molested and Persecuted oftenly. THE tins theron be on disaster, and ly: had in & surprise, rpeyst, advanced only pack all the ‘dustance, mnssed [gwn, which came on i | | les s heey into the Brit con the 1 10th Rett bank, Bene Sutlel y, 1846, : nF come ches at cee ete it ry . en q im ‘from |! by Su lab Singh howev' ad gh howeret, ted Wazl , with the cnt fF ti me gotiating ina b, dangecttle. gentile, He had beey mmm and en bee Ran JM a Brith smd. entruste ni ptt the (ask soi tisha" ay sim Mared on te scene © ne || a He kad) oo pe 33, Bd. } SS tal oO iklis. PP” 286-87- | ts Sinedom of the punja?- p. 106. | 35, Sunni S. ah ngham's Histor? rushwant Sing Fal! of te Kinea tO 282 A SHORT HISTORY OF JAMMU of the Lahore Darbar and entdred.j jt iations with the British®*, on his own accord, sM. negotiations halsa from falling into ‘the futility of another battle his oppressors. But in tee Prudent advice. On the 10th. ited. Many Were killed, and many more itling waters of the Sutlcj, Nearly 10,000 soldiers lost their lives in the Sot, v action. All their guns were either captured or abondoned in the river, Peete Sompleto and crushing defeats at which the populace of Lahore expressed theie exultation by deriding the defeated soldiers as they had been pleased at the prospect. of relief from the obsessions of Hivlessness characterised by the weet “Sikh anarchy.” The Temaing of Sikh under Sardar Te] Singh and Raja Lal Singh on retiring from qebrAon entrenched ai Reitera, spoke cighteen miles east of Lahore. They were Nariously estimated at from 14,000 to 20,000, one horse and foot, with about thinycive guns. | They had been positively ordered by Singh to ‘remain stationary.” The‘ war of @ self-willed ane self-seeking army thus ended ie ae ingominous defeat and disaster after five desperately fought out batiles from 18th December. 1845 to. 10th February, 1g4¢. nent Ott helpless diplomat was left with difficult and delicate task of Tectifying the damage done to the Lahore State by saa S8 “ burchas* who had ae Tact lear ah benefit of showing respect Fracbeditnce to the civil authority. “Bat ie came about too late. Had Hf Océuredl Before Sobraon, it would have wo a difference. 2° Gulab Singh's overtures for safeguarding his personal interests in the event of the ee bor Luaners Kingdom, Governor-General ‘had given uncommittal Teplies, but at the same time he referred © his Proclamation which assured consideration te those who area cipate in hostilities against the British. Hardinge was nee Rate of Gulab Singh's attitude and was afraid lest he should is ees by weight on the ‘side of the ‘Sikhs in which case the uty, Harditdel disasterous. To secure the continuation of is neutrality, Be committed himself to the interests of Gulab Singh. He had been tolq. 36. Ganda Singh, Anglo-Sikh Wars, p. 97. By ihushwane Singh, Tic Fall of the Kingdom of Punjab, p. 106. ge, Kbushwant Singh, 14 rst. ofthe Sikis, Vol. TL, p. 53, %. Governor-General to Seoret Committee, 19th February, 1846-BISL (I).DOGRAS GET JAMMU & KASHMIR STATE. 285 by Major Lawrence a week before the battle , : of Sobi third of February, that “we, appeciated his wisdom Sate | ‘aken up arms against us, and that his interest : taken up arms, ap sts would be taken into | ‘Thus the Governor-General did all that was A | to keep Gulab Singh and his over-rated Rajput LH | he admitted that *“Gulab Singh’s neutrality. was most valuable before crossed the river Sultej.”* ore When the news of the defeat of the Khalsa reached Lal i and the Darbar urged Reja Gulab Singh to proceed ineeiee the British camp, to beg pardon inthe name of the Darbar eae Sikh Government and endeavour to negotiate some arrangements for the preservation of the country from utter ruin. Before he undertook, thie Tnission, the Raja stipulated that the Darbar, the Chiefs, army. eiicer, and the ‘ Panchayats” should sign a solemn declaration that they would abide by such terms as he might determine on with the British Govern ment,” “This is said to have been immedately acceded to.#2 On the night of 12 Februay the advance guard of the Briti camped among the ruined domes and fallen arches of the cla fone Kasur. Hardinge had meantime sent a note to Gulab Singh, to present himself for negotiations at once if Ranjit Singh’s kingdom was to survive as an independent state.* Hardinge had also reached Kasur on th 14th Gulab Singh arrived promptly the next day, the 15th February, accom- panied by Diwan Dina Nath, Fakir Nurud-Din and Sultan Muhammad Khan in the Governor-General’s camp with full credentials from the- Maharaja, and empowered to agree in the name of the Maharaja and the Government to such terms as Hardinge might dictate ® When Gulab Singh, accompanied by Sultan Muhammad Khan and several influential Sardars, met Hardinge, the latter explained him and his colleagues that the offenc. 2 which had been committed was most serious and the conduct of the chiefs and the army was most unwarrant- able. He, however, admitted that he “‘recognised the wisdom, purdence ‘and good feelings evinced by him in having kept himself separate from. these unjustifiable hostilities of Sikhs. He also expressed his willingness to make his sense of that conduct in the proceedings which were to be carried through.*° 40. Hardinge to Ellenborough (Private) 7 June, 1846-EP (PRO), 30/12 (21/7) Panjab Papers, Hasrat, p 95. 41, ‘Thorbura, SS., The Punjab in Peace and War, p. 62. 42, Hardinge to Ellenborough (Private), 21 June, 1846, EP (PRO) 30/12 (21/7). 43. Governor-General to Secret Committee, Camp Kanha Cuchwa, 19 February, 1846-BISL (1). 44, Bruce, George, Six Battles for India, London, 1969, p. 191. 45. Hasrat, Punjab Papers, pp. 141-43, Governor-General to Secret Committee, 19 Feb., 1846. 46. Hasrat, Punjab Papers, pp. 141-43, Governor-General to Secret Committee, 19 Feb., 1846.