The History of The Sikhs (With Map)

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Item Code: NAD426
Publisher: Rupa Publication Pvt. Ltd.
Author: W. L. M’Gregor
Edition: 2010
ISBN: 9788129111241
Pages: 480
Cover: Paperback
Other Details 8.5 inch X 5.5 inch
Weight 630 gm
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Book Description
About the Book

Written by a British army surgeon who participated in the military campaign to consolidate colonial rule over Punjab – the land of the five rivers – this mid-19th century document is more than a fascinating source book for a significant period of Sikh history. Rich in anecdotes and eye-witness accounts, The History of the Sikhs also opens a window into the British mind –the way the conquerors understood the people they tried to subdue and the land they conquered.

This edition brings together both volumes of the original work: the first traces the biographies of the Sikh gurus and Maharaja Ranjeet Singh; and the second is a military account of the Angle-Sikh war of 1845-56, penned in the very midst of battle.

 

Preface

The author of the following pages cannot suffer his work to go forth without offering at least an explanation of, if not an apology for, the manner in which the second volume has been prepared.

It will be at once apparent to the reader that all the information contained in the two volumes has been prepared either in the country described or in its immediate vicinity; the major part of the contents of the second volume being actually collected in the very midst of the battle of one of the most memorable campaigns on record. It was the purpose of the author to have given to all his materials the condensed form peculiar to political history; but the rapidity with which startling events succeeded each other,—the great importance of printing the entire work, while yet the affairs of the Punjab possessed a high degree of interest in England,—and the heavy professional claims upon the author’s time,—determined him to send forth the work in its present comparatively crude form. The part of the second volume which speculates upon possible occurrences, which either did or did not afterward transpire, and to which reference is subsequently made, must be accepted rather as a journal of operations than as a comprehensive digest of the entire campaign.

The author is under deep obligations to several of the military authorities, and to many brother-officers for the aid he has received in the prosecution of his arduous task; and he begs they will, individually and collectively, accept his cordial acknowledgements. His object has been to record every fact connected with the History of the Sikhs, from the birth of Nanuk Shah to the capture of Kote Kangra by the British; to present a complete history of the life of Runjeet Singh, the former despot of the Punjab; and to render justice to all those enlightened men and gallant spirits, whose skill and intrepidity combined to repel the insolent invasion of a rebellious army and to consolidate the British power in the north-west of India.

 

Introduction

Before attempting the history of a nation or people, it is necessary that we should become, in some measure, acquainted with their country.

The term Punjap is significant of five rivers. These are, the Sutlej, Beas, Ravee, Chenab, and Jelium.

But though five rivers are enumerated, there is in fact a sixth, which eventually receives the collected waters of the other five. Still, as the Sutlej and Beas unite and form thereby but one river, named the Gharra, the term Punjab is correct, as applied to the country below the conflux of these two rivers.

The Sutlej is the boundary of the Punjab on the east, but the Sikhs have for a long time occupied the left bank of the river, under the protection of the British. In former times the Sikhs on that bank were named the Malwa Sikhs, in allusion to their rich country resembling in its fertility the province of that name in Western India. Those inhabiting the country between the Sutlej and Deas, were named the Doab Sikhs; while the country stretching from the Beas to the Ravee was inhabited Manja Sikhs, so named from the jungly tract which reaches from vicinity of the former river to Mooltan. From the neighbor-hood of the Doab between the Indus and Jelum,, and also of that between the latter river and the Chenab, to Affghanistan, the inhabitents are chiefly Mussulmans, and even at the present day several of them are found in the former district.

All the rivers of the Punjab rise in the Himalayan chain of mountains, whence the Ganges and Jumnah derive their sources, as well as numerous smaller and tributary streams. The sources of the Ganges and Jumnah, though placed among perpetual snow, are comparatively near to the western and southern limits of the mountain; not so with those of the Indus and Sutlej, which exist in regions far in the interior of the Himalayas, and on the boundaries of countries to which the European only has access at great risk and danger.

The Sutlej is the Hesadrus of the ancients, and receives names according to the tract of country it passes through; such as the Sarangas, Zadarus, Zaradrus, Shatooder, Sutlooge, Setlej, Sutledge, &c.

The Sutlej rises on the southern side of the lofty Kailas, and empties its waters into the lake Munsurawur; from thence its course is parallel to that of the Indus, or Sin-ka-bab (lion’s mouth,) which is supposed to rise from the northern-side of the same mountain. The great Kialas is considered a paradise by the Hindoos, and they believe it to be inhabited by their Deities, particularly Shiva. Its height is estimated by some geographers. Its height is estimated by some geographers at 28,000 feet above the level of the sea; while others compute it at 30,000; it is therefore the loftiest mountain at present known in the world: seen even from an elevation of 17,000 feet, the Kialas is an object of admiration. It often gets the name of the ‘peaked mountain.”

The Sutlej is a rapid torrent in the mountains, and is confined within a narrow channel through which it foams great velocity, rendering it “unfordable where the depth is only a few feet, unless for the strong and hardy yak.” At Ram-pore in Busahir, it is crossed on inflated skins during the cold season, and these are employed as far down as Belaspore. In the rains the river is crossed by means of a joola, or bridge constructed of ropes. The Sutlej becomes navigable on reaching the plains at Roopur, and from that place pursues its course to Hurreekee, near which the Beas joins and thoir union obtains the name of Gharra, forming one of the rivers of the Punjnud, and receives the Ravee, Chenab, and Jelum, before it joins the Indus. At the present day the Sutlej flows near the fort of Phillour, which is built on its right bank, and was meant as a place of defence in case of an invasion.

 

Contents

 

Introductory Chapter  
The geography of the Punjab described.—The five rivers .—  
Lahore.—Umrjtsjr.__The Ukalees. — GovindGhur.—Rambagh._  
Alexander’s March.—The term ‘Singh’.—Thc terms ‘ Bedee’  
and ‘Sodee’. 1—30
Chapter I.  
The history of Gooroo Nanuk.—His birth-place.— His deistical doctrines.—Partiality to fukeers.—His death and character.—The Grunth.— Anecdotes of Nasmk. 31—47
Chapter II  
The lives of the eight Gordo successors of Annul. . 48—65
Chapter III.  
The History of Gordo Gloving.—Miracles and ‘superstitious.—Giving assembles the Sikhs.—Destroys the aesthetics of castes.—The Brahmins desert him.—His knowledge of Hindu Mahomedan literature. 69-78
Chapter IV.  
Govind exhibits a contempt for wealth.—A tumult, and its results.—The Pathans desert Govind.— lie builds forts.—His Sons are murdered. . 79—87
Chapter V.  
Govind leaves Mukowal.—His vicissitudes in flight.—The Sikhs rally round him at Moogutsir.— He attacks and defeats the Mussulmans, 88—94
Chapter VI.  
Govind’s poetic description of his life.—Becomes tired of existence.—Urges a Pathan to kill him.—Dies.—His character. 95—104
Chapter VII.  
The history of Byragee Bunda, 105—112
Chapter VIII.  
The history of the Sikhs, after the death of Bunda,—The Mahomedans overrun the Puujab.—The Sikhs - unite and expel them, and then formthemselves into confederacies. . 113—119
Chapter IX.  
The history of the Bhungee Missul. 120—127
Chapter X.  
The history of the Fyzoolapoorea and Ramghureea Missuls. 128— 137
Chapter XI.  
The history of the Ghuneeya, Allowalya, and Sakkerchukea Missuls.—The birth of Runjeet Singh 138—150
Chapter XII.  
Ranjeet’s origin.—The character of his mother and wife.— He becomes possessed of Lahore.—His warlike exploits.—He takes possession of La. hore and Kussoor.—He builds Govindghur.—enter into a treaty with Mr. Metcalfe, the British envoy, arrives at Lahore.—The British enter into a treaty with Runjeet. 15 1-l 63
Chapter XIII.  
The Maharajah attacks, and subdues the Goorka, Ummur Siugh, in Kote Kangra.—His further exploits.—Proceeds against Cashmere.—Exacts the koh-i-noor Mooltan.—Captures the town,diamond from Shah Soojali Old Moolk.—Besieges and repairs it. 164—181
Chapter Xiv.  
The Maharajali crosses the Attack.—Moves about the country, settling the revenue, and receiving tribute.—Imprisons his mother in-law.—Takes Muikheree.—Accepts the services of European officers. —War with the Aft’ghans.—Sehemes to obtain a famous horse.—The Maharajah has an interview with the Governor-general of India. 182—201
Chapter XV.  
Runjeet Singh’s knowledge of the British governance.—Account of the various official visits of British officers, to the Maharajah’s court.— Tlw ceremonials on the marriage of Nonehal Singh. 202— 214
Chapter XVI.  
Runjeet’s personal appearance .—His dress..—Passion for horses.—Respect for learning.— Ilabits.— Residence.—Fondness of field sports.—Nautch girls.—Character as a military leader. 215— 211
Chapter XVII.  
Runjeet’s fondness for children.—Strange story of a fukeer.—Runjeet’ s religious sentiments.—The temple at Umritsir.—The Ukalees.—The feast of the Dusseerah. — Generals Court and Avitabili—Mr. Fonikes. — Adventures in the Punjab.—Runjeet’s dislike to the proximity of British troops. 242—266
Chapter XVIII.  
The British invasion of Afghanistan.—Runjeet’s sentiments thereon.—He aids the passage of the Khyber Pass.—Anecdotes of the Maharajah. —He is taken Ill—Various remedies tried.— Submits to be electrified by European surgeons.—The drink of the Sikhs.—Their passion for ardentspirits.—Deserters.—The minister Phyan Singh, and other membets of the court.— Runjeet’s opinion on various matters.—Conelusion. 267—291

 

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