A history of the Sikhs, from the origin of the nation to the battles of the Sutlej.

178

HISTORY OF THE SIKHS

CHAP. VI

1802-21. Yet Ranjit Singh not only yielded more than was becomRanjt ing to the promptings of his appetites, but, like all despots
Singh's fa- and solitary authorities, he laid himself open to the charge
vourites. of extravagant partiality and favouritism. He had placed
himself in some degree in opposition to the whole Sikh
people; the free followers of Gobind could not be the
observant slaves of anequal member of the Khalsa, and he
sought for strangers whose applause would be more ready
if less sincere, and in whom he could repose some confidence
as the creatures of his favour. The first who thus rose to
Khushal distinction was Khushal Singh, a Brahman from near
Singh, a Saharanpur, who enlisted in one of the first raised regiments,
Brahman,
1811-20. and next became a runner or footman on the Maharaja's
establishment. He attracted Ranjit Singh's notice, and was
made Jamadar of the Devni, or master of the entry, about
the year 1811. His brother seemed likely to supplant him,
but his refusal to become a Sikh favoured Khushal Singh's
The Raj- continuance in power, until both yielded to the Jammu
PS of Rajpfits in the year 1820. Gulab Singh, the eldest of three
1820. sons, claimed that his grandfather was the brother of the
well-known Ranjit Deo; but the family was perhaps illegitimate, and had become impoverished, and Gulab Singh
took service as a horseman in a band commanded by
Jamadar Khushal Singh. He sent for his second brother,
Dhian Singh, and then, again like the reigning favourite,
they both became running footmen under Ranjit Singh's
eye. Their joint assiduity, and the graceful bearing of the
younger man, again attracted the Maharaja's notice, and
Dhian Singh speedily took the place of the Brahman
chamberlain, without, however, consigning him to neglect,
for he retained his estates and his position as a noble.
Gulab Singh obtained a petty command and signalized&
himself by the seizure of the turbulent Muhammadan Chief
of Rajauri. Jammu was then conferred in jagir or fief upon
the family, and the youngest brother, Suchet Singh, as well
as the two elder, were one by one raised to the rank of Raja,
and rapidly obtained an engrossing and prejudicial influence
p. 141) likewise describes the Sikhs as hardy and simple; but,
doubtless, as the power of the nation has increased since these times,
luxuries and vicious pleasures have, in numerous instances, followed
wealth and indolence.