A few years later, Jindan was now a beauty at sixteen but she didn’t really receive much attention from the ageing monarch. The Maharaja became very fond of a young Muslim behisiti, or water carrier, named Gullu who was on the palace staff. Gullu was allowed many liberties; he was allowed to mount his favourite saddle horses and to ride close to the Maharaja. He also had free access to the royal harem. Gullu met Jindan in the royal harem and a surreptitious affair started, which the Maharaja was apparently aware of but chose to ignore, probably because Gullu remained a favourite. In the winter of 1836, Ranjit was informed that Jinda was with child. The child born in 1837 was named Duleep Singh and presented to the world as the youngest son of the Maharaja. Gullu seemed to fall from favour right around that time and died shortly thereafter of a mysterious illness!
Even though the canard about Duleep Singh’s parentage was often repeated, Carmichael Smyth’s account needs to be taken with a grain of salt. It was published in 1847, between the two Anglo Sikh Wars that led to the demise of the Sikh Empire and the annexation of Punjab by the British. Casting doubt on the parentage of the progeny of a dead king was a time-honoured play, often very effective in questioning the legitimacy of his heirs and justifying eventual British annexation. Dr. John Martin Honigberger, who served Maharaja Ranjit Singh and was an eyewitness to the tumultuous events described here, makes several references to Duleep Singh without ever questioning his legitimacy. Steinbach refers to Duleep Singh as ‘a reputed son of the late Runjeet Singh’.
Raja Dhian Singh Dogra, recognising the Sandhawalias’ power and influence, tried to ingratiate himself with the Sardars, taking credit for their rehabilitation and return to court, using Bhai Ram Singh, who had petitioned the Maharaja on their behalf, as intermediary. The Sandhawalias outwardly responded with courtesy and it appeared that a new alliance had been created, but they were crafty enough to sense that Dhian Singh Dogra had his own agenda. Harbouring a deep enmity for the Dogras and a generations-old resentment against the Sukerchakias, they began to plot against both the monarch and his prime minister, biding their time until an opportunity presented itself.
Dhian Singh Dogra, most likely after confabulating with his older brother Gulab Singh Dogra, started to lavish attention upon the young Duleep Singh. Whispers began about his claim to the throne of Lahore which reached Sher Singh’s ear and irritated him to no end. Sher Singh tried to reduce his prime minister’s influence but his grip on power was just too strong. The Sandhawalias pounced upon the opportunity that the rift presented. They hastened to Sher Singh’s side and in a show of candour revealed to him, ‘in confidence’, an alleged plot by Dhian Singh Dogra to have the Maharaja assassinated so that he could place the young Duleep Singh on the throne! The Sandhawalias claimed that Dhian Singh Dogra had asked them to carry out the assassination with a promise of new estates that would yield six million rupees a year. Furthermore, they claimed, when Duleep Singh was enthroned, Dhian Singh Dogra would continue as Prime Minister and the Sandhawalias would become regents to the young king.
Maharaja Sher Singh reacted emotionally! Drawing his sword he handed it to Lehna Singh and Ajit Singh, exclaiming that they were free to dispatch him with his own sword, if they were willing to commit such a foul act. He also warned them that after he was dead, Dhian Singh Dogra, who was no friend of the Sandhawalias, would turn upon them. Lehna Singh and Ajit Singh feigned indignation and acted affronted, claiming that their intent was not to kill Sher Singh, but instead to protect him from his enemies. They suggested to Sher Singh that if he did not act pre-emptively, at some point Dhian Singh Dogra would be successful in dethroning him. When they could clearly see they had Sher Singh’s attention, they offered to take care of Dhian Singh Dogra. All they needed was an official letter from Maharaja Sher Singh authorising them to kill Dhian Singh Dogra and absolving the Sandhawalias from all blame!
The Sandhawalias left the king with the prime minister’s death warrant in their hands but instead of returning to their estates at Raja Sansi to bide their time, which they told the king they would do, they went straight to Dhian Singh Dogra! Dhian Singh Dogra was unwilling to believe that the Maharaja, who was his protégé, had signed an order decreeing that he be put to death, but the signature and seal of the king was unmistakable. The Sandhawalias expressed their contempt for the king, suggesting that he was an incompetent debauchee and an ingrate to boot, who was willing to take the life of his own prime minster. In an act of breathtaking boldness, the Sandhawalias proposed a pre-emptive strike on the king, which they would carry out if Dhian Singh authorised them to do so in writing. Dhian Singh not only signed the document but also promised them rich rewards!
Thus emboldened, the Sandhawalias took their sovereign’s life.
The above account of the treachery of the Sandhawalias with Dhian Singh’s blessing and encouragement appears in the writings of many British historians and diarists. Latif, too, presents essentially the same account in his book, History of the Panjab. Honigberger, quite coincidentally, was at the baradari in Shah Bilawal (which he refers to as Shahbelore in his account) where the crime was committed and describes the events.
Honigberger was literally only a few feet away, when Maharaja Sher Singh was assassinated. Dhian Singh Dogra had commanded him to design a mechanical gunpowder mill, which he had begun work on. The Maharaja had visited him a few days earlier to inspect his work and had been much pleased, giving him a substantial reward. The work had been approved orally and Honigberger was present that day to receive royal authorisation in writing. He had been speaking to Sher Singh, but was asked to go wait under a tree some distance away when the Sandhawalias arrived.
Honigberger saw the young Kunwar Pratap Singh, who was busy giving alms to the poor in the company of a group of Brahmins, being cut to pieces by Lehna Singh Sandhawalia. Honigberger reports that after the murders, the conspirators proceeded towards the fort. On the way, they met Raja Dhian Singh Dogra and told him what they had done. Informing him that they were on their way to the fort to place the infant Duleep Singh on the throne, they prevailed upon Raja Dhian Singh Dogra to accompany them.
It is notable that Honigberger makes no mention of Dhian Singh Dogra’s involvement in the plot. As a prominent courtier, he would have surely heard rumours after the fact, if Dhian Singh had been involved in the plot. Khushwant Singh does not in any way implicate Dhian Singh Dogra either. And this is what Sohan Lal Suri has to say about the aftermath of the regicide:
When the Sandhawalia Sardars informed Raja Dhian Singh Dogra of what had just transpired, he was shocked and sorrowful and expressed great concern for the future of the empire. Lehna Singh and Ajit Singh told him that they shared the same concern and if all the powerful courtiers did not unite, much chaos and uncertainty would result. They also reiterated that only Dhian Singh Dogra had the authority and following to ensure that the empire did not descend into anarchy and suggested that he accompany them to Lahore fort to take charge of the situation. The wily Dhian Singh Dogra was not fooled at all! He told the Sandhawalias that he was on his way home and that he would join them later. The Sandhawalias first pleaded with him and then overpowered him with the force of arms and dragged him to the fort.73
It is also useful to examine the account of McGregor, which he claims came from one Said Hussein Shah, the son of Said Ahmed Shah of Wittald, who reputedly was in possession of the two documents, one signed by the king and the other by the prime minister, in which each decreed the other’s death! It is interesting to note however, that the account actually casts doubt on Dhian Singh Dogra’s involvement:
A messenger was now dispatched to Dhian Singh to request his presence, for the Rajah had forgotten the business altogether, and did not anticipate so speedy a compliance with his order. He was worshipping at the time, and after dressing, he went in search of his master. Outside the fort he was met by Lena Singh and his nephew, who remarked that ‘the job was done’. The Rajah was incredulous until the heads of both Sher Singh and hi
s son were exhibited! He blamed them for killing the young prince, but they merely observed, ‘that what was done could not be helped’. Seeing that the followers of Lena Singh were numerous, and his own few- in number, Dhian Singh returned to the fort accompanied by the Sandhawalias.74
Notwithstanding the divergence on Dhian Singh Dogra’s involvement in the plot to murder Sher Singh, all the accounts agree that he was taken to Lahore Fort against his will, where a terrible fate awaited him.
Lehna Singh Sandhawalia addressed Dhian Singh Dogra with feigned courtesy and deference, asking him what would happen next and who would be king. Dhian Singh simply replied that there was nobody left other than the young Duleep Singh, to which the Sandhawalia chief retorted: ‘So he is to be made king and you the prime minister, while we get nothing for our pains.’ Bhai Gurmukh Singh, the Sikh holy man, who hated the Dogras and Misr Beli Ram, the head of the empire’s finances, advised Lehna Singh to get rid of Dhian Singh Dogra in order to clear their own path to power and influence. Ajit Singh Sandhawalia, who was standing behind Dhian Singh Dogra, shot him in the back.
As soon as news of Raja Dhian Singh Dogra’s death spread, Lahore was plunged into despair. The death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh followed by the quick passing of Maharaja Kharak Singh and Maharaja Naunihal Singh had created tremendous turmoil, but the ascension of Maharaja Sher Singh and the steadying hand of Raja Dhian Singh Dogra had restored peace and tranquility. After the sudden death of Maharaja Sher Singh and Raja Dhian Singh Dogra, there was nobody left to provide leadership or comfort. The loss was irreparable.
Thus, in the space of a few hours, perished the Maharaja of Punjab, his young heir and his Prime Minister, whose stewardship had done much to hold together the Sikh empire. The empire was now plunged into chaos.
The Sandhawalias seemed triumphant, but it was to be a pyrrhic victory.
The Sandhawalia Sardars, fearing retribution, resolved to get rid of Hira Singh Dogra, the son of the fallen prime minister and his brother Suchet Singh Dogra, next. They sent a summons asking them to present themselves at the fort in the name of Dhian Singh Dogra. Suspecting treachery, Suchet Singh and Hira Singh refused and asked for a written summons with Dhian Singh Dogra’s seal and signature. The Sandhawalias, frustrated, sent a troop of five hundred horsemen to capture them, but by then the Dogras had rallied their forces and caused the Sandhawalia cavalry to hasten back to Lahore fort.
Hira Singh Dogra was then a young man of twenty-five. Charismatic, handsome, well-educated and courteous, he had been a great favourite of the late Maharaja Ranjit Singh as a child. When the murder of Maharaja Sher Singh and Raja Dhian Singh Dogra became public knowledge, in a couple of hours, Hira Singh was devastated. After the initial shock, Hira Singh pulled himself together and rallied the Sikh troops. With a flourish he unbuckled his sword and cast it on the ground before the assembled soldiers along with his shield, launching into a rousing speech that Carmichael Smyth documents in his book:
I was brought up from my infancy by the great Maharaja Ranjit Singh, as his adopted son, and I am now about to be slain as my father has this day been by the Sandhawalias, who have murdered your King, and his Minister, my dear father. And now listen, soldiers, they have done all this only because while they were in Hindostan, they made traitorous alliances with the British. They then agreed to do all this that has this day been done, to call in the British and to deliver the country into their hands. In pursuance of this purpose they have, since this morning, sent off ten or twelve expresses in the direction of Ferozepore and Loodiana to inform the British authorities of their success here; and now if some bold and energetic steps are not immediately taken by you, you will, before three days have passed, hear of forty or fifty thousand British troops having crossed the Sutlej. If the British come and obtain their purpose, they will disband the entire Khalsa army. Yes! You will be compelled to give up your arms, and to go every man to his home. Your invincible power, your great and glorious name, will be lost in oblivion, and disgrace will be your lot. You will moreover, be so impoverished that you will have to seek, and seek in vain, an ignoble maintenance from the plough! Soldiers, if you would avert this humiliation listen to me.
The old king’s coffers are yet full, but, believe me, I have no occasion to resort to them; my own, my father’s, and my uncle’s wealth is sufficient to keep up an army of a hundred thousand good and loyal Seiks for a hundred years, and I here solemnly promise that it shall all to the last fraction be expended on you. It is all yours and for your use. Now I here solemnly promise, and if necessary will confirm my word by an oath, that henceforth your pay shall be increased one-half—each foot soldier shall receive twelve rupees a month, and every horseman one rupee a day. Listen to me, follow my instructions, and by one unanimous effort, we will not only secure our country from danger, and ourselves from disgrace, but will also punish the Sandhawalias for their treason and cruelty—the traitors to their race, religion, and country—the murderers of their prince and of his Minister! 75
Hira Singh’s speech had its intended effect on the Sikh army. The Sandhawalias had sought the help of the British during their initial struggles with Sher Singh. The Sikh soldiers hated the British with a passion and the bugbear of disbandment and the fear of losing a lucrative career hit home. The offer of increased wages didn’t hurt either! Besides, notwithstanding their disputes with Sher Singh, the late king had been known as a brave warrior and had at one point been immensely popular with the soldiery. The treacherous manner in which he was murdered incensed them as Hira Singh whipped them into a vengeful frenzy. Very soon, forty thousand men were at Hira Singh Dogra’s command ready to bring retribution to the conspirators.
The European officers, almost to a man, allied themselves with Hira Singh Dogra, shocked at the treachery of the Sandhawalias. Sohan Lal Suri writes that Hira Singh collected the platoons of the Italian General Avitabile and those of the French Colonel Court and then hastened to Anarkali, the grand residence of General Jean Baptiste Ventura. General Ventura had held in his heart great respect and love for the late Maharaja Sher Singh and readily joined in the enterprise to punish the Sandhawalias. Sardar Lehna Singh Majithia, Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s legendary artillery commander and Jemadar Khushal Singh, the former royal chamberlain joined Hira Singh’s force as well.
The Sandhawalias, meanwhile, were starting to get nervous and began to rally troops loyal to them, working primarily on the officers and trying to buy their loyalty. Blue bloods themselves and renowned warriors and chiefs, they might have been successful if they had appealed directly to the troops, but they were not as clever as Hira Singh. In an effort to placate the Dogras, they started to spread a rumour that Dhian Singh Dogra had been struck by a stray bullet and died by accident. They sent out the body of Dhian Singh Dogra, sprinkled with rose water and wrapped in an expensive Kashmiri shawl and claimed that they had executed the soldier who had accidentally killed the prime minister with their own hands.
None of this mollified the incensed soldiers. At sunset, Hira Singh approached the fort with the Sikh army, accompanied by a hundred pieces of artillery.
Then the army marched towards the city noisily, different companies jostling and jockeying for position, eager to plunder and loot. The fort was once again surrounded by besiegers but this time, it was overrun quickly. The formidable defences of the past had not really been restored after the fort fell during the last civil war. The fort was protected by a meagre force of a thousand or so, the last of the soldiers loyal to the Sandhawalia Sardars. Their resistance was weak and after a night of intermittent fighting, it felt like the battle would soon be over.
Hira Singh dramatically swore an oath that he would neither eat nor drink until his father’s murderers had been brought to justice. The oath, coupled with promises of rich rewards and the prospect of plundering the fort of Lahore, greatly motivated the troops and by daybreak they had created a very large breach on the south western side of Lahore fort. Thirteen of Raja Dhian Singh�
�s wives and their female slaves were readying to immolate themselves at the fallen prime minister’s funeral pyre, but Hira Singh delayed them, declaring that the senior-most queen, his stepmother, would not mount the pyre until she saw the severed heads of the murderers with her own eyes. All the drama served to further excite the attackers who finally overcame the resistance of the Sandhawalia garrison, destroying it completely. Ajit Singh Sandhawalia tried to escape by scaling the walls of the fort but he was betrayed by his own soldiers, who beheaded him and ran to Hira Singh with their trophy, earning rich rewards.
Ajit Singh Sandhawalia’s severed head was laid at the feet of Raja Dhian Singh Dogra’s widow, who expressed great satisfaction at her husband’s death being avenged. She took off the Kalgi or plume from the dead Dhian Singh Dogra’s turban and affixed it to Hira Singh’s, showering him with praise and blessings. Accompanied by her slave girls and Dhian Singh Dogra’s junior wives, she ascended his funeral pile and peacefully prepared to meet her violent end. One of the slave girls was a mere child of ten. The Rani looked at her and felt that it was cruel to send a child to such a fate and she turned her over to Hira Singh, asking that she be well-cared for. The girl, determined to court the glory of becoming Sati, resisted and ran back to the funeral pile. Three times she was sent back and three times she returned. The Rani, on seeing her resolve, commanded that the funeral pile be lit. The ten-year old girl got her wish.
The Camel Merchant of Philadelphia Page 21