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Maharaja
Ranjit Singh
Other
small confederates and Ranjit Singh
The jealously of the leading
sardars surfaced with increase in Ranjit's fame. Shah Zaman no longer posed any
threat. Earlier, the Sikh chiefs joined hands and collaborated to meet the
Afghan menace. The bonds affinity were cut pieces now and the potential Sikh
chiefs Sahib Singh Bhangi of Gujarat, Jassa Singh ramgharhia, Jodh singh Bajwa
of Wazirabad, and Gulab singh Bhangi of Amritsar joined hands to wrest Lahore
from Ranjit Singh. They sought the help of Nizam-Ud-Din of Kasur, who was an
aspirant of subedari of Lahore. In early 1800 they marched towards Lahore.
Ranjit singh faced them at about 16 km from city at Bhasin, with Kanhaiyas on
his side. The forces of Ranjit singh won a very easy victory in only three days
and these misal sardars were unable to dislodge Ranjit Singh from his citadel.
Ranjit Singh hastened back to
Lahore triumphantly. He was given royal reception by the citizens. Ranjit
singh's expansionist designs now knew no bounds he marched on to Jammu. On the
way he annexed Narowal and Varowal. Maharaja of Jammu had neither intention nor
was capable of fighting him so he presented him a nazrana of 20,000 rupees.
Ranjit singh marched towards Sialkote and accepted nazrana there too, then
Dilawargarh. He had to fight various chiefs and sardars during these expansions.
Open rift between Ranjit
singh and
Sahib Singh Bhangi invited interference from some other powers. Shah Zaman
send feelers to various sardars. The Bhangi sardars and others united with them
wanted to let down Ranjit singh and hence invited Shah Zaman to attack him.
Ranjit singh accepted gifts send by Shah Zaman. This diplomatic move resulted in
mutual trust and faith between Ranjit Singh and Shah Zaman. It was a diplomatic
victory of Ranjit Singh. Meanwhile, British govt. was also much perturbed. Their
concern was the rising power of Ranjit singh who could pose danger to them one
day. In April 1800 Governor General send Mir Yusuf Ali to Lahore to hold
negotiations with Ranjit singh. An historic meeting was held on 22 Oct. 1800,
where Ranjit Singh, Rani Sada Kaur, Fateh Singh Ahluwalia, and Misr Ram Dayal
were present. Yusauf gave a long sermon on the treachery of the Afghans and how
Abdali was cruel to Sikhs; how he did not even spare the holy places of Sikhs
including Golden temple of Amritsar; The Afghan could never be faithful
treachery was in their blood. This meeting remained indecisive. Ranjit singh
could not trust either British or Shah Zaman.
Ranjit Singh was now
considered a great force. He appointed misr Ramdayal for his day to day affairs
with people. Fateh singh Ahluwalia guided on army matters. During the same
periods darbar attracted the Fakir brothers who held high offices under Ranjit
singh. Fakir Aziz-Ud-Din was the most prominent among them. He came along with
his father Ghulam Mohiud-Ud-Din who was an royal doctor. Nur-Ud-Din and Imam-Ud-Din
the other brother of Zaiz were also given different post in Ranjit singh's
darbar. Aziz-Ud-Din was made the in charge of Foreign affairs. "It was due to
his wise counsel that the Maharaja maintained friendly relations with the
British government; and the fact that these relations were on a footing of
equality and mutual respect was largely an outcome of his ardent loyalty to
Ranjit Singh." (Syed Moheduddin, The Real Ranjit Singh p.40)
By this time the day had come
that Ranjit singh should declare himself the Maharaja of Punjab and treats all
his subjects Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs equally. On April 12 1801, Ranjit Singh
declared himself Maharaja of Punjab on the same auspicious day of Baisakhi when
Khalsa was made by Guru Gobind Singh. The investiture ceremony was performed by
Sahib Singh Bedi, who was the direct descendant of Guru Nanak. A commemorative
coin was issued, Nanakshahi rupee as it was called. People showered flowers on
him and in turn Ranjit singh showered gold and silver coins on his subjects. It
was a grand gala occasion. Ranjit Singh rode on the elephant and passed through
the streets of Lahore. He won popular acclaim and earned a lasting place in the
hearts of the people. At night the town was illuminated with oil lamps and there
was display of fire works. Many chiefs and sardars offered nazrana and in return
receive khillats. The fort was garrisoned. The city which had suffered 30 years
of Bhangi misrule needed peace and rule of law. The Maharaja ordered that no
interference be made with the personal and public law of Muslims. They were
given equal rights with other subjects. Courts presided over by the Qazis and
Muftis were confirmed. Prominent citizens were designated as chaudhries and
mohallas. The sense of security was given to the people. Trade and Business were
established on a sound basis.
Meanwhile Batala was attacked
by the Raja of Kangra Sansar chand, so Ranjit singh ordered his troops to march
there. Kangra's men fled in fear and all territory was restored to the Rani Sada
Kaur. Maharaja also occupied Naushera part of domain of Sansar Chand and give it
to Rani Sada Kaur.
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