Tempo:
—
CHAP. VIII
CONTENTION FOR THRONE
211
citadel of Lahore, the original prudence of fixing a i840. route for British troops clear of the Sikh capital, and the complete subjugation of the Muhammadan tribes, left the English commander unaware of the struggle going on, except from ordinary reports and news-
writers.^
The English Government made, indeed, no de- sher singh claration with regard to the Lahore succession; but it fj^e"troTT
was believed by all that Sher Singh was looked upon wuh Dhfan as the proper representative of the kingdom, and the singh-s aid. advisers of Mai Chand Kaur soon found that they could not withstand the specious claims of the prince, and the commanding influence of the British name, without throwing themselves wholly on the support of Raja Dhian Singh. That chief was at one time not unwilling to be the sole minister of the Maharani, and the more sagacious Gulab Singh saw advantages to his family amid the complex modes necessary in a female rule, which might not attend the direct sway of a prince of average understanding, inclined to favouritism, and pledged to Sikh principles. But the Mai's councillors would not consent to be thrown wholly into the shade, and Dhian Singh thus kept aloof, and secretly assured Sher Singh of his support at a fitting time. The prince, on his part, endeavoured to sound the English agent as to his eventual recognition, and he was satisfied with the reply, although he merely received an assurance that the allies of thirty-two years wished to see a strong government in the Punjab.^ Sher Singh had, with the minister's aid, gained sher singh over some divisions of the army, and he believed that Lahore all would declare for him if he boldly put himself at i4^th-i8th their head. The eagerness of the prince, or of his im- jan. i84i. mediate followers, somewhat precipitated measures; and when he suddenly appeared at Lahore, on the 14th January 1841, he found that Dhian Singh had not arrived from Jammu, and that Gulab Singh would rather fight for the Maharani, the acknowledged head of the state, than tamely become a party on compulsion to his ill-arranged schemes. But Sher Singh was no longer his own master, and the impetuous soldiery at once proceeded to breach the citadel. Gulab Singh 1
Col.
The returning brigade was commanded by the veteran
Wheeler [afterwards
Sir
Hugh Wheeler,
the
ill-fated
whose name is connexion both with Afghan and
commander of the garrison of Cawnpore
Ed.],
familiar to the public in Sikh wars. - See Mr. Clerk's letters to Government of Dec. 1840 and Jan. 1841, generally, particularly that of the 9th Jan.
CHAP. VIII
CONTENTION FOR THRONE
211
citadel of Lahore, the original prudence of fixing a i840. route for British troops clear of the Sikh capital, and the complete subjugation of the Muhammadan tribes, left the English commander unaware of the struggle going on, except from ordinary reports and news-
writers.^
The English Government made, indeed, no de- sher singh claration with regard to the Lahore succession; but it fj^e"troTT
was believed by all that Sher Singh was looked upon wuh Dhfan as the proper representative of the kingdom, and the singh-s aid. advisers of Mai Chand Kaur soon found that they could not withstand the specious claims of the prince, and the commanding influence of the British name, without throwing themselves wholly on the support of Raja Dhian Singh. That chief was at one time not unwilling to be the sole minister of the Maharani, and the more sagacious Gulab Singh saw advantages to his family amid the complex modes necessary in a female rule, which might not attend the direct sway of a prince of average understanding, inclined to favouritism, and pledged to Sikh principles. But the Mai's councillors would not consent to be thrown wholly into the shade, and Dhian Singh thus kept aloof, and secretly assured Sher Singh of his support at a fitting time. The prince, on his part, endeavoured to sound the English agent as to his eventual recognition, and he was satisfied with the reply, although he merely received an assurance that the allies of thirty-two years wished to see a strong government in the Punjab.^ Sher Singh had, with the minister's aid, gained sher singh over some divisions of the army, and he believed that Lahore all would declare for him if he boldly put himself at i4^th-i8th their head. The eagerness of the prince, or of his im- jan. i84i. mediate followers, somewhat precipitated measures; and when he suddenly appeared at Lahore, on the 14th January 1841, he found that Dhian Singh had not arrived from Jammu, and that Gulab Singh would rather fight for the Maharani, the acknowledged head of the state, than tamely become a party on compulsion to his ill-arranged schemes. But Sher Singh was no longer his own master, and the impetuous soldiery at once proceeded to breach the citadel. Gulab Singh 1
Col.
The returning brigade was commanded by the veteran
Wheeler [afterwards
Sir
Hugh Wheeler,
the
ill-fated
whose name is connexion both with Afghan and
commander of the garrison of Cawnpore
Ed.],
familiar to the public in Sikh wars. - See Mr. Clerk's letters to Government of Dec. 1840 and Jan. 1841, generally, particularly that of the 9th Jan.
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