Tempo:
234
Punjab Monarchy and Imperialism
Shah Shaja was by no means reduced to penury by this loss. He continued to receive an allowance from the Lahore Durbar and still owned, as was subsequently proved, considerable wealth in gold and jewels.
First Punjabi Victory Over the Afghans: Battle of Attack, July 1813 Wazir Fateh Khan tried to talk the Durbar into handing over the fort ofAttock to him. He professed friendship for the Maharajah, flattered him with presents and words of praise, and promised
to capture Multan for the Durbar. The Durbar insisted that Fateh Khan should capture Multan first and then discuss Attock. The Durbar kept up correspondence with the Afghans until a Punjabi force was well on its way to the relief of the fort. To make the possession of Attock more secure, Durbar troops occupied an advance post at Haripur. escorted by Mohkam Chand. He coru.iuues: ·on lhe morning of lhe second day. Ram Singh waited on us and demanded the Kob-i-noor for his maSler. We confessed that it was not in onr possession, but after experiencing hospitality and assistance from Runject Singh, we should take his wish into consideration. Ram Si11gh attended the nell.t day and received the same reply. We then expedenced privation of the necesi.-a1ies of life, and sentinels were occasionally placed over our dwelling.' Sh1tja mentions Ranjit Singh's offer to pay fony wnfty t110usand n1pees and help to recover Len-itory in the n011.h which the Shah expressed willingness Lo accept. 'He then proposed an exchange of turbans, which is among the Seikhs a pledge of eternal friendship and then gave him the Koh-i-noor. Two days after, the interdiction was removed from our visiLS Lo the dwelling containing our family. • ( CAlmtta M.onth~v journal, I 839. Autobiographical sketch by Shah Shuja written by himself in Ludhiana 1826-7 and ttanslated by l.t. Bennett of the artillery.) The facts do not refieCL any discredit on Ranjil Singh. lfhe had wanted to rob Wafa Begam, there was nothing to slop him from doing so. He knew that the diamond was ·with her in Febmary 1810, when Wafa Begam entered his kingdom. In view of the way in which Lhe Koh-i-noor had been taken away from India. C\'en a forcible repossession would have been justified. But the course Ra19it Singh followed was a wholly honourable one.
Punjab Monarchy and Imperialism
Shah Shaja was by no means reduced to penury by this loss. He continued to receive an allowance from the Lahore Durbar and still owned, as was subsequently proved, considerable wealth in gold and jewels.
First Punjabi Victory Over the Afghans: Battle of Attack, July 1813 Wazir Fateh Khan tried to talk the Durbar into handing over the fort ofAttock to him. He professed friendship for the Maharajah, flattered him with presents and words of praise, and promised
to capture Multan for the Durbar. The Durbar insisted that Fateh Khan should capture Multan first and then discuss Attock. The Durbar kept up correspondence with the Afghans until a Punjabi force was well on its way to the relief of the fort. To make the possession of Attock more secure, Durbar troops occupied an advance post at Haripur. escorted by Mohkam Chand. He coru.iuues: ·on lhe morning of lhe second day. Ram Singh waited on us and demanded the Kob-i-noor for his maSler. We confessed that it was not in onr possession, but after experiencing hospitality and assistance from Runject Singh, we should take his wish into consideration. Ram Si11gh attended the nell.t day and received the same reply. We then expedenced privation of the necesi.-a1ies of life, and sentinels were occasionally placed over our dwelling.' Sh1tja mentions Ranjit Singh's offer to pay fony wnfty t110usand n1pees and help to recover Len-itory in the n011.h which the Shah expressed willingness Lo accept. 'He then proposed an exchange of turbans, which is among the Seikhs a pledge of eternal friendship and then gave him the Koh-i-noor. Two days after, the interdiction was removed from our visiLS Lo the dwelling containing our family. • ( CAlmtta M.onth~v journal, I 839. Autobiographical sketch by Shah Shuja written by himself in Ludhiana 1826-7 and ttanslated by l.t. Bennett of the artillery.) The facts do not refieCL any discredit on Ranjil Singh. lfhe had wanted to rob Wafa Begam, there was nothing to slop him from doing so. He knew that the diamond was ·with her in Febmary 1810, when Wafa Begam entered his kingdom. In view of the way in which Lhe Koh-i-noor had been taken away from India. C\'en a forcible repossession would have been justified. But the course Ra19it Singh followed was a wholly honourable one.
©
2026
Lehal.net