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

CHAPTER VIII
FROM THE DEATH OF MAHARAJA RANJIT SINGH
TO THE DEATH OF WAZIR JAWAHIR SINGH
1839-45
Kharak Singh's power usurped by his son Nau Nihal SinghLieut.-Col. Wade and Mr. Clerk-Nau Nihal Singh and the
Rajas of Jammu-The death of Kharak Singh-The death of
Nau Nihal Singh-Sher Singh proclaimed Maharaja, but the
authority of sovereign assumed by the mother of Nau Nihal
Singh-Sher Singh gains over the troops and succeeds to powerThe army assumes a voice in affairs, and becomes an organized
political body-The English willing to interfere-The English
undervalue the Sikhs-The Sikhs in Tibet:-opposed by the
Chinese, and restrained by the English-The English in KabulGeneral Pollock's campaign-The Sindhianwala and Jammu
families-The death of Sher Singh-The death of Raja Dhian
Singh-Dallp Singh proclaimed Maharaja with Hira Singh as
Wazir-Unsuccessful insurrections-Pandit Jall's proceedings
and views-Hira Singh expelled and slain-Jawahir Singh
nominated Wazir-Gulab Singh submits-Pishaura Singh in
rebellion-Jawahir Singh put to death by the army.
1839. THE imbecile Kharak Singh was acknowledged as the
S S master of the Punjab; but Sher Singh, the reputed son of
claims the tedeceased king, at once urged his superior claims or
succession, merits on the attention of the British viceroy; and Nau
83eJuy Nihal Singh, the real offspring of the titular sovereign,
but Nau hastened from Peshawar to take upon himself the duties of
Nih5lSingh ruler. The prince, a youth of eighteen, was in his heart
real power, opposed to the proclaimed minister and the Rajas of
rarl allies Jammu; but the ascendancy of one Chet Singh over the
himself
with the 1 Government to Mr. Clerk, 12th July 1839. Mr. Clerk, who was
Jammu acting for Col. Wade while absent at Peshawar, seems to have detained
Rajas. Sher Singh's messenger, and to have sent his letter to the GovernorGeneral somewhat in that ordinary spirit of Indian correspondence,
which ' transmits' everything ' for information and for such orders
as may seem necessary'. Lord Auckland hastily desired Sher Singh
to be told Kharak Singh was his master.