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HISTORY OF THE SIKKS
CHAP. VIII
Hira Singh and Pandit
Pandit Jalla made the additional mistake of forgetting that the Sikhs were not jealous of Gulab Singh alone, but of all strangers to their faith and race; and in trying to crush the chiefs, he had forgotten that they were Sikhs equally with the soldiers, and that the 'Khalsa' was a word which could be used to unite the high and low. He showed no respect even to sardars Lahna Singh Majithia quitted of ability and means. the Punjab, on pretence of a pilgrimage, in the month of March 1844,^ and the only person who was raised to any distinction was the unworthy Lai Singh, a Brahman, and a follower of the Rajas of Jammu, but who was understood to have gained a disgraceful influence The Pandit over the impure mind of Rani Jindan. again, in his arrogance, had ventured to use some expressions of impatience and disrespect towards the mother of the Maharaja, and he had habitually treated Jawahir Singh, her brother, with neglect and contempt. The impulsive soldiery was wrought upon by the incensed woman and ambitious man; the relict of the great Maharaja appealed to the children of the Khalsa, already excited by the proscribed chiefs, and Hira Singh and Pandit Jalla perceived that their rule was at an end. On the 21st December 1844 they endeavoured to avoid the wrath of the Sikh soldiery by a sudden
Jalla
^fiight
1844.
Pandit Jalla irritates the
Sikhs, and offends the
Queenmother.
fly,
but are overtaken and put to death, 21st
Dec. 1844.
Jawahir Singh and Lai Singh attain
power.
from the capital, but they were overtaken and they could reach Jammu, along with before slain Sohan Singh, the cousin of the minister, and Labh Singh, so lately hailed as a victorious commander. The memory of Pandit Jalla continued to be execrated, but the fate of Hira Singh excited some few regrets, for ha he had had well avenged the death of his father, and .^ borne his dignities with grace and modesty The sudden breaking up of Hira Singh's government caused some confusion for a time, and the state seemed to be without a responsible head; but it was gradually perceived that Jawahir Smgh, the brother, and Lai Singh, the favourite of the Rani, would form the most influential members of the administration.^ 1844. Major Broadfoot, who succeeded Lieut. -Col. Richmond as agent on the frontier on the 1st Nov. 1844, received
Peshawara Singh with stances, and proposed
civilities
to
unusual under the circumhim an allowance of a
assign
thousand rupees a month. 1 Lahna Singh went first to Hardwar and afterwards to Benares. He next visited Gaya and Jagannath and Calcutta, and he was residing in the last-named place when hostilities broke out with the Sikhs. 2 Cf. Major Broadfoot to Government, 24th and 28th Dec. 1844.
HISTORY OF THE SIKKS
CHAP. VIII
Hira Singh and Pandit
Pandit Jalla made the additional mistake of forgetting that the Sikhs were not jealous of Gulab Singh alone, but of all strangers to their faith and race; and in trying to crush the chiefs, he had forgotten that they were Sikhs equally with the soldiers, and that the 'Khalsa' was a word which could be used to unite the high and low. He showed no respect even to sardars Lahna Singh Majithia quitted of ability and means. the Punjab, on pretence of a pilgrimage, in the month of March 1844,^ and the only person who was raised to any distinction was the unworthy Lai Singh, a Brahman, and a follower of the Rajas of Jammu, but who was understood to have gained a disgraceful influence The Pandit over the impure mind of Rani Jindan. again, in his arrogance, had ventured to use some expressions of impatience and disrespect towards the mother of the Maharaja, and he had habitually treated Jawahir Singh, her brother, with neglect and contempt. The impulsive soldiery was wrought upon by the incensed woman and ambitious man; the relict of the great Maharaja appealed to the children of the Khalsa, already excited by the proscribed chiefs, and Hira Singh and Pandit Jalla perceived that their rule was at an end. On the 21st December 1844 they endeavoured to avoid the wrath of the Sikh soldiery by a sudden
Jalla
^fiight
1844.
Pandit Jalla irritates the
Sikhs, and offends the
Queenmother.
fly,
but are overtaken and put to death, 21st
Dec. 1844.
Jawahir Singh and Lai Singh attain
power.
from the capital, but they were overtaken and they could reach Jammu, along with before slain Sohan Singh, the cousin of the minister, and Labh Singh, so lately hailed as a victorious commander. The memory of Pandit Jalla continued to be execrated, but the fate of Hira Singh excited some few regrets, for ha he had had well avenged the death of his father, and .^ borne his dignities with grace and modesty The sudden breaking up of Hira Singh's government caused some confusion for a time, and the state seemed to be without a responsible head; but it was gradually perceived that Jawahir Smgh, the brother, and Lai Singh, the favourite of the Rani, would form the most influential members of the administration.^ 1844. Major Broadfoot, who succeeded Lieut. -Col. Richmond as agent on the frontier on the 1st Nov. 1844, received
Peshawara Singh with stances, and proposed
civilities
to
unusual under the circumhim an allowance of a
assign
thousand rupees a month. 1 Lahna Singh went first to Hardwar and afterwards to Benares. He next visited Gaya and Jagannath and Calcutta, and he was residing in the last-named place when hostilities broke out with the Sikhs. 2 Cf. Major Broadfoot to Government, 24th and 28th Dec. 1844.
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