THIRTY-FIVE YEARS IN THE EAST. IO9 



only fulfilled the wish of Sheer Sin?, who promised them 

 asa reward a jaghir (some land). On that account, they 

 were transported tq. the opposite side of the river Ravee, 

 and were never afterwards heard of. 



The Sikh troops had been often reviewed before their 

 monarch or the royal prince, and on such occasions some 

 were promoted or rewarded. This was abolished under 

 the government of Chund Kour. She was only visible to 

 some of her confidants. Her ministers and counsellors di- 

 rected the helm of the state vessel, which moved on 

 indifferently, as ench one neglected the public welfare, and 

 provided only for his private interest. In the course of time 

 there naturally arose a general dissatisfaction. The minister, 

 Dhyan Sing, perceiving the consequences of it, pretended 

 to go with his younger brother Soochet Sing into the 

 mountains of his native country, on a hunting party, to 

 restore his health ; but, in fact, it was only a pretext for 

 calling in Sheer Sing, to whooa all the troops flocked to 

 range themselves under his standard. 



The following event may serve as a sample of oriental 

 policy, Dhyan Sing's eldest son, Haera Sing, and his own 

 elder brother, Gholab Sing, belonged to the faction of the 

 ranee. They shut themselves up with her in the fortress, 

 which was bombarded incessantly for three days and nights. 

 It was only when the besiegers prepared to take the place 

 by storm, that the besieged surrendered, under the following 

 stipulations : the ranee shall henceforth live in the fortress, 

 a convenient jaghir shall be granted to her ; and to the 

 garrison, consisting of two batallions of dogras ( mountain- 

 eers ), the troops of Gholab Sing, a free retreat shall be 

 granted. Their retreat was fixed to take place in the dark- 

 ness of the night, and they were permitted to take with 

 them whatever they pleased. Gholab Sing was during five 

 days in possession of the fortress where the treasury 

 happened to be. The troops of the mountains were ordered 

 to go the opposite side of the river Ravee, until the corona- 

 tion of Sheer Sing should have taken place. Hy Dhyan Sing 

 and Soochet Sing's mediation, Gholab Sing and Heera Sing 



