Tempo:
Consolidation of the Punjab
229
out envoys to foreign powers to negotiate for the restoration of the family to che throne of KabuL The Duibar found this emigre government in its territories somewhat embarrassing and persuaded the Afghan household to shift to Lahore. In November 1811 the one-time conqueror ofLahore returned to the city as a beggar. He was treated with great honour. State troops escorted him to his appointed residence, where the Maharajah personally welcomed him. The only thing that disturbed the peace of the royal refugee was the arrival of an agent of Wazir Fateh Khan and Shah Mahmud, to solicit the help of the Durbar in the conquest of Kashmir, where Shah Shuja was imprisoned. While the rival Afghan households vied with each other in offering terms to the Durbar, Ranjit Singh devoted himself to the nuptials of his son and heir Kharak Singb.6 After the wedding guests had departed, the Afghan invitation to conquer Kashmir was taken up. Wazir Fateh Khan's agent offered half the loot and nine lacs every year if the Punjabis marched alongside the Barakzai Afghans. The refugee family, particularly Shah Shuja's senior wife, Wafa Begam, and her sons, were terrified at the prospect of the Wazir and Mahmud (who had already blinded Zaman) capturing Shuja. They made a counteroffer with the only object of real value which they possessed, the priceless diamond, Koh-i-noor. 7 6 Colonel Ochterlony represented the East India Company and came wi1h the Rajas of the Cis-Sutlej states, Patiala, Nabha, Jmd, and Kaithal, across the Sutlej. Friend and foe were equally welcome. Sansar Chand of Kangra came himself. The Nawabs of Multan and Bahawalpur sent members of their families to represem chem. The cash presented to the bridegroom amounted to over Rs 236,000. Ochcerlony gave Rs 5000 on behalf of his government. 7 The Kob-i-noor or the 'Mountain of Light,' perhaps the most brillianl of all tbe diamonds of the world, was taken from the famous mines of Golconda and came into the hands of the Mughal emperors. The Persian Nadir Shah took il along with the Peacock Throne from the Mughal Mohammed Shah in 1739 when be sacked Delhi and massacred its inhabitants. On Nadir's assassination in 1747, it came into the hands of Ahmed Shah Abdali and after his death into those of his son and successor, Taimur.
229
out envoys to foreign powers to negotiate for the restoration of the family to che throne of KabuL The Duibar found this emigre government in its territories somewhat embarrassing and persuaded the Afghan household to shift to Lahore. In November 1811 the one-time conqueror ofLahore returned to the city as a beggar. He was treated with great honour. State troops escorted him to his appointed residence, where the Maharajah personally welcomed him. The only thing that disturbed the peace of the royal refugee was the arrival of an agent of Wazir Fateh Khan and Shah Mahmud, to solicit the help of the Durbar in the conquest of Kashmir, where Shah Shuja was imprisoned. While the rival Afghan households vied with each other in offering terms to the Durbar, Ranjit Singh devoted himself to the nuptials of his son and heir Kharak Singb.6 After the wedding guests had departed, the Afghan invitation to conquer Kashmir was taken up. Wazir Fateh Khan's agent offered half the loot and nine lacs every year if the Punjabis marched alongside the Barakzai Afghans. The refugee family, particularly Shah Shuja's senior wife, Wafa Begam, and her sons, were terrified at the prospect of the Wazir and Mahmud (who had already blinded Zaman) capturing Shuja. They made a counteroffer with the only object of real value which they possessed, the priceless diamond, Koh-i-noor. 7 6 Colonel Ochterlony represented the East India Company and came wi1h the Rajas of the Cis-Sutlej states, Patiala, Nabha, Jmd, and Kaithal, across the Sutlej. Friend and foe were equally welcome. Sansar Chand of Kangra came himself. The Nawabs of Multan and Bahawalpur sent members of their families to represem chem. The cash presented to the bridegroom amounted to over Rs 236,000. Ochcerlony gave Rs 5000 on behalf of his government. 7 The Kob-i-noor or the 'Mountain of Light,' perhaps the most brillianl of all tbe diamonds of the world, was taken from the famous mines of Golconda and came into the hands of the Mughal emperors. The Persian Nadir Shah took il along with the Peacock Throne from the Mughal Mohammed Shah in 1739 when be sacked Delhi and massacred its inhabitants. On Nadir's assassination in 1747, it came into the hands of Ahmed Shah Abdali and after his death into those of his son and successor, Taimur.
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