Tempo:
I
CHAP. VIII
INSURRECTIONISTS KILLED
235
to assail so holy a man was held to be sacrilege by the soldiers, and on the seventh of the month deputies were Some expressions sent to induce the Bhai to retire.
i844.
moved the anger of Sardar Atar Singh, and he slew one of the deputies with his own hand. This act led an immediate attack. Atar Singh and Kashmira Singh were both killed, and it was found that a cannon-shot had likewise numbered Bhai Bir Singh with the slain. The commander on this occasion was Labii Singh, a Rajput of Jammu, and the possession of the family of Kashmira Singh seemed to render his success more complete; but the Sikh infantry refused to allow the women and children to be removed to Lahore; and Labh Singh, alarmed by this proceeding and by the lamentations over the death of Bir Singh, hastened to the capital to ensure his own safety.^ to
Hira Singh was thus successful against two main The enemies of his rule, and as he had also come to an Governor understanding with the Governor of Multan. the pro- "^^^^.j"^" "^^ ceedings of Fateh Khan Tiwana gave him little uneasi- ^" """
The army itself was his great cause of anxiety, not lest the Sikh dominion should be contracted, but lest he should be rejected as its master; for the Panchayats, although bent on retaining their own power, and on acquiring additional pay and privileges for their constituents the soldiers, were equally resolved on maintaining the integrity of the empire, and they arranged among themselves about the relief, of the troops in the provinces. On the frontiers, indeed, the Sikhs continued to exhibit their innate vigour, and towards the end of 1843 the secluded principality of ness.-
Gilgit was overrun and annexed to Kashmir. The Giigit rePanchayats likewise felt that it was the design of the duced. i843 Raja and his advisers to disperse the Sikh army over the country, and to raise additional corps of hill men, but the committees would not allow a single regiment to quit Lahore without satisfying themselves of the necessity of the measure; and thus Hira Singh was mra smgh induced to take advantage of a projected relief of the professes suspicions British troops in Sind, and the consequent march of several battalions towards the Sutlej. to heighten or English give a colour to his own actual suspicions, and to hint that a near danger threatened the Sikhs on the side of the English. The 'Khalsa' was most willing to encouii1 Lieut.-Col. 12th May 1844.
Richmond
to
Government,
10th,
11th,
and
-Cf. Lieut.-Col. Richmond to Government, 29th April 1844.
CHAP. VIII
INSURRECTIONISTS KILLED
235
to assail so holy a man was held to be sacrilege by the soldiers, and on the seventh of the month deputies were Some expressions sent to induce the Bhai to retire.
i844.
moved the anger of Sardar Atar Singh, and he slew one of the deputies with his own hand. This act led an immediate attack. Atar Singh and Kashmira Singh were both killed, and it was found that a cannon-shot had likewise numbered Bhai Bir Singh with the slain. The commander on this occasion was Labii Singh, a Rajput of Jammu, and the possession of the family of Kashmira Singh seemed to render his success more complete; but the Sikh infantry refused to allow the women and children to be removed to Lahore; and Labh Singh, alarmed by this proceeding and by the lamentations over the death of Bir Singh, hastened to the capital to ensure his own safety.^ to
Hira Singh was thus successful against two main The enemies of his rule, and as he had also come to an Governor understanding with the Governor of Multan. the pro- "^^^^.j"^" "^^ ceedings of Fateh Khan Tiwana gave him little uneasi- ^" """
The army itself was his great cause of anxiety, not lest the Sikh dominion should be contracted, but lest he should be rejected as its master; for the Panchayats, although bent on retaining their own power, and on acquiring additional pay and privileges for their constituents the soldiers, were equally resolved on maintaining the integrity of the empire, and they arranged among themselves about the relief, of the troops in the provinces. On the frontiers, indeed, the Sikhs continued to exhibit their innate vigour, and towards the end of 1843 the secluded principality of ness.-
Gilgit was overrun and annexed to Kashmir. The Giigit rePanchayats likewise felt that it was the design of the duced. i843 Raja and his advisers to disperse the Sikh army over the country, and to raise additional corps of hill men, but the committees would not allow a single regiment to quit Lahore without satisfying themselves of the necessity of the measure; and thus Hira Singh was mra smgh induced to take advantage of a projected relief of the professes suspicions British troops in Sind, and the consequent march of several battalions towards the Sutlej. to heighten or English give a colour to his own actual suspicions, and to hint that a near danger threatened the Sikhs on the side of the English. The 'Khalsa' was most willing to encouii1 Lieut.-Col. 12th May 1844.
Richmond
to
Government,
10th,
11th,
and
-Cf. Lieut.-Col. Richmond to Government, 29th April 1844.
©
2026
Lehal.net