Tempo:
230 1843.
Anxieties of Sher Singh.
HISTORY OF THE SIKHS
chap, viii
But Sher Singh principally feared his own chiefs and subjects, and although the designed or fortuitous murder of Mai Chand Kaur, in June 1842,' relieved him of some of his apprehensions, he felt uneasy under the jealous domination of Dhian Singh, and began to listen readily to the smooth suggestions of Bhai Gurmukh Singh, his priest so to speak, and who was himself of
some religious reputation, as well as the son of a man of acknowledged sanctity and influence.^ The English Government, in its well-meant but impracticable desire to unite all parties in the country, had urged the Tlie Sind-
hianwala chiefs
and
the Jammu Rajas coalesce.
restoration to favour of the Sindhianwala chiefs, who kept its own agents on the alert, and the Maharaja himself in a state of doubt or alarm. ^ Sher Singh, from his easiness of nature, was not averse to a reconciliation, and by degrees he even became not unwilling to have the family about him as some counterpoise to the Rajas of Jammu. Neither v/as Dhian Singh opposed to their return, for he thought they might be made some use of since Mai Chand Kaur was no more, and thus Ajit Singh and his uncles again took their accustomed
places in the court of Lahore. Nevertheless, during the summer of 1843, Dhian Singh perceived t*hat his influence over the Maharaja was fairly on the wane; and he had good reason to dread the hiachinations of Gurmukh Singh and the passions of the multitude when roused by a man of his character. The minister then again began to talk of the boy, Dalip Singh, and to endeavour to possess the minds of the Sindhianwala 1 Mr. Clerk to Government, 15th June 1842. The widow of Maharaja Kharak Singh was so severely beaten, as was said by her female attendants, that she almost immediately expired. The only explanation offered, was that she had chidden the servants in question for some fault, and the public was naturally unwilling to believe Sher Singh, at least, guiltless of instigating the murder. - In the beginning of his reign Sher Singh had leant much upon an active and ambitious follower, named Jawala Singh, whose bravery was conspicuous during the attack on Lahore. This petty' leader hoped to supplant both the Sindhianwala chiefs and the Jammu Rajas as leading courtiers, but he proceeded too hastily; he was seized and imprisoned by Dhian Singh in May 1841, and died by foul means immediately afterwards. (Cf. Mr. Clerk to Government, 7th May and lOth June •
1841.) 3 Mr. Clerk to Government, 7th April 1842, and Government to Mr. Clerk, 12th May 1842; see also Lieut.-Col. Richmond to Government, 5th Sept. 1843. Mr. Clerk became Lieutenant-Governor of Agra in June 1843, and he was succeeded as Agent on the frontier by Lieut.-Col. Richmond, an officer of repute, who had recently distinguished himself under
Sir George Pollock.
Anxieties of Sher Singh.
HISTORY OF THE SIKHS
chap, viii
But Sher Singh principally feared his own chiefs and subjects, and although the designed or fortuitous murder of Mai Chand Kaur, in June 1842,' relieved him of some of his apprehensions, he felt uneasy under the jealous domination of Dhian Singh, and began to listen readily to the smooth suggestions of Bhai Gurmukh Singh, his priest so to speak, and who was himself of
some religious reputation, as well as the son of a man of acknowledged sanctity and influence.^ The English Government, in its well-meant but impracticable desire to unite all parties in the country, had urged the Tlie Sind-
hianwala chiefs
and
the Jammu Rajas coalesce.
restoration to favour of the Sindhianwala chiefs, who kept its own agents on the alert, and the Maharaja himself in a state of doubt or alarm. ^ Sher Singh, from his easiness of nature, was not averse to a reconciliation, and by degrees he even became not unwilling to have the family about him as some counterpoise to the Rajas of Jammu. Neither v/as Dhian Singh opposed to their return, for he thought they might be made some use of since Mai Chand Kaur was no more, and thus Ajit Singh and his uncles again took their accustomed
places in the court of Lahore. Nevertheless, during the summer of 1843, Dhian Singh perceived t*hat his influence over the Maharaja was fairly on the wane; and he had good reason to dread the hiachinations of Gurmukh Singh and the passions of the multitude when roused by a man of his character. The minister then again began to talk of the boy, Dalip Singh, and to endeavour to possess the minds of the Sindhianwala 1 Mr. Clerk to Government, 15th June 1842. The widow of Maharaja Kharak Singh was so severely beaten, as was said by her female attendants, that she almost immediately expired. The only explanation offered, was that she had chidden the servants in question for some fault, and the public was naturally unwilling to believe Sher Singh, at least, guiltless of instigating the murder. - In the beginning of his reign Sher Singh had leant much upon an active and ambitious follower, named Jawala Singh, whose bravery was conspicuous during the attack on Lahore. This petty' leader hoped to supplant both the Sindhianwala chiefs and the Jammu Rajas as leading courtiers, but he proceeded too hastily; he was seized and imprisoned by Dhian Singh in May 1841, and died by foul means immediately afterwards. (Cf. Mr. Clerk to Government, 7th May and lOth June •
1841.) 3 Mr. Clerk to Government, 7th April 1842, and Government to Mr. Clerk, 12th May 1842; see also Lieut.-Col. Richmond to Government, 5th Sept. 1843. Mr. Clerk became Lieutenant-Governor of Agra in June 1843, and he was succeeded as Agent on the frontier by Lieut.-Col. Richmond, an officer of repute, who had recently distinguished himself under
Sir George Pollock.
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