Tempo:
CHAP. VIII
PANDIT JALLA'S INFLUENCE
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of founding a dynasty of 'Peshwas' among the rude Jats of the Punjab, as had been done by one of his tribe among the equally rude Marathas of the south. He
i844^
fully perceived that the Sikh army must be concihated, and also that it must be employed. He despised, and with some reason, the spirit and capacity of most of the titular chiefs of the country; and he felt that Raja Gulab Singh absorbed a large proportion of the revenues of the country, and seriously embarrassed the central government by his overgrown power and influence. It was primarily requisite to keep the army well and regularly paid, and hence the Pandit proceeded without scruple to sequester several of the fiefs of the sirdars, and gradually to inspire the soldiery
with the necessity of a march against Jammu. Nor was he without a pretext for denouncing Gulab Singh, as that unscrupulous chief had lately taken possession of the estates of Raja Suchet Singh, to which he regarded himself as the only heir.^ Jalla showed vigour and capacity in all he did, but Pandit he proceeded too hastily in some matters, and he at- '^^^^^^^^ tempted too much at one time. He did not, perhaps, gjngh. understand the Sikh character in all its depths and ramifications, and he probably undervalued the subThe Raja, indeed, was induced tlety of Gulab Singh. to divide the Jagirs of Suchet Singh with his nephew,but Fateh Khan Tiwana again excited an insurrection Chattar Singh Atariwala took up arms in the Derajat; near Rawalpindi,^ and the Muhammadan tribes southwest of Kashmir were encouraged in rebellion by the dexterous and experienced chief whom Pandit Jalla sought to crush."' Peshawara Singh again aspired to the sovereignty of the Punjab; he was supported by Gulab Singh, and Jalla at last perceived the necessity of coming to terms with one so formidable.*' A reconciliation was accordingly patched up, and the Raja The hopes of sent his son Sohan Singh to Lahore." Peshawara Singh then vanished, and- he fied for safety to the south of the Sutlej.^ ''
Cf. Lieut. -Col. Richmond to Government, 13th Aug. and 10th Oct. 1844. - Lieut.-Col. Richmond to Government, 30th Oct. 1844. - Lieut.-Col. Richmond to Government, 14th June 1844. 4 Lieut.-Col. Richmond to Government, 16th Oct. 1844. " Major Broadfoot to Government, 24th Nov. 1844. Lieut.-Col. Richmond to Government, 16th Oct. 1844, and Major Broadfoot to Government, 24th Nov. 1844. Lieut.-Col. Richmond to Government, 30th Oct. 1844, and Major Broadfoot to Government, 13th Nov. and 16th Dec. 1844. * Major Broadfoot to Government, 14th and 18th Nov. 1
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PANDIT JALLA'S INFLUENCE
-^3n
of founding a dynasty of 'Peshwas' among the rude Jats of the Punjab, as had been done by one of his tribe among the equally rude Marathas of the south. He
i844^
fully perceived that the Sikh army must be concihated, and also that it must be employed. He despised, and with some reason, the spirit and capacity of most of the titular chiefs of the country; and he felt that Raja Gulab Singh absorbed a large proportion of the revenues of the country, and seriously embarrassed the central government by his overgrown power and influence. It was primarily requisite to keep the army well and regularly paid, and hence the Pandit proceeded without scruple to sequester several of the fiefs of the sirdars, and gradually to inspire the soldiery
with the necessity of a march against Jammu. Nor was he without a pretext for denouncing Gulab Singh, as that unscrupulous chief had lately taken possession of the estates of Raja Suchet Singh, to which he regarded himself as the only heir.^ Jalla showed vigour and capacity in all he did, but Pandit he proceeded too hastily in some matters, and he at- '^^^^^^^^ tempted too much at one time. He did not, perhaps, gjngh. understand the Sikh character in all its depths and ramifications, and he probably undervalued the subThe Raja, indeed, was induced tlety of Gulab Singh. to divide the Jagirs of Suchet Singh with his nephew,but Fateh Khan Tiwana again excited an insurrection Chattar Singh Atariwala took up arms in the Derajat; near Rawalpindi,^ and the Muhammadan tribes southwest of Kashmir were encouraged in rebellion by the dexterous and experienced chief whom Pandit Jalla sought to crush."' Peshawara Singh again aspired to the sovereignty of the Punjab; he was supported by Gulab Singh, and Jalla at last perceived the necessity of coming to terms with one so formidable.*' A reconciliation was accordingly patched up, and the Raja The hopes of sent his son Sohan Singh to Lahore." Peshawara Singh then vanished, and- he fied for safety to the south of the Sutlej.^ ''
Cf. Lieut. -Col. Richmond to Government, 13th Aug. and 10th Oct. 1844. - Lieut.-Col. Richmond to Government, 30th Oct. 1844. - Lieut.-Col. Richmond to Government, 14th June 1844. 4 Lieut.-Col. Richmond to Government, 16th Oct. 1844. " Major Broadfoot to Government, 24th Nov. 1844. Lieut.-Col. Richmond to Government, 16th Oct. 1844, and Major Broadfoot to Government, 24th Nov. 1844. Lieut.-Col. Richmond to Government, 30th Oct. 1844, and Major Broadfoot to Government, 13th Nov. and 16th Dec. 1844. * Major Broadfoot to Government, 14th and 18th Nov. 1
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