Chahar gulzar-i Shujaʿi 9: Jawahir Singh and Ratan Singh, sons of Suraj Mal Jat, and their successors.
Chahár Gulzár Shujá'í, of Hari Charan Dás (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) 9
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Jawahir Singh and Ratan Singh, sons of Suraj Mal Jat, and their successors.
9.1
In the month of Jumada-s sani, 1181 A.H. (Oct. 1767), Jawahir Singh, son of Suraj Mal Jat, marched from Dig and Kumbher, which were his residences, to bathe in the tank of Pokhar, a great sacred place of the Hindus. It is situated near Ajmir, within the territory of Raja Madhu Singh, son of Raja Jai Singh Kachhwaha; and Jawahir Singh, on reaching the boundary of the Raja's possessions, began to ravage the country and plunder the people. He overran most places in the territory. When he reached within two stages from Pokhar, he learnt that Raja Bijai Singh, son of Raja Bakht Singh Rathor, had also come to bathe. Fearing on account of the outrages he had committed on his way, he wrote to Bijai Singh that he was suspicious of Madhu Singh, and that, if he would permit him, he would come to bathe. The Raja wrote in reply that he should come only with 2000 horse; but Jawahir Singh, contrary to this desire, proceeded with all his forces, which consisted of about 60,000 horse, one lac of foot, and one thousand large and small guns. On the 13th of Jumada-s sani he bathed in the tank, and having halted a few days there, returned.
9.2
The news of his outrages and plundering having reached Madhu Singh and other Rajput chiefs, they considered it a great insult, and contrary to custom. All the Rajputs having assembled together, went to Madhu Singh, * * proposing to take revenge. Madhu Singh replied that he did not think it worthy of himself to oppose Jawahir Singh, whose forefathers had been of the lowest dependents and creatures of his ancestors, but that whosoever liked might go against him. Accordingly Dalel Singh and other Rajputs, to the number of about 20,000 horse, and an equal body of foot soldiers, went to oppose Jawahir Singh, who, finding it difficult to force his way, resolved to fight. A battle ensued. The Rajputs showed such bravery and courage, that they destroyed about 20,000 horse and foot of the army of Jawahir Singh. Many also drank the cup of death on their part. Jawahir Singh, not being able to stand before the cruel sword of the Rajputs, took to flight alone, and with great difficulty and pain reached Dig and Kumbher. His guns, elephants, horses, treasure, and all the furniture of pomp, fell into the hands of the Rajputs, who, after staying a few days on the field, returned to their respective residences.
9.3
Jawahir Singh felt great shame of this defeat, and much of the vanity and pride which he had entertained was reduced. It is said that Jawahir Singh had made a soldier his associate and had great friendship for him. * * This soldier, having been guilty of some improper act, was disgraced. * * One day, when the Jat chief had gone hunting with only a few attendants, that soldier, taking his sword and shield, went to the place where Jawahir Singh was standing carelessly with a few men, and struck him a blow with his sword, saying, " This is the punishment of the disgrace I have received." In one blow there was an end of Jawahir Singh's existence, who departed to the world of eternity in the month of Safar, 1182 a.h. (June, 1768 a.d.). He was succeeded by his brother Ratan Singh. * * When Ratan Singh was killed by a fakir, the ministers of the State elevated his infant son, Ranjit Singh, to his place, and seated him upon the masnad of the chiefship. Nuwul Singh and Bhawani Singh, sons of Suraj Mal, but by another wife, rose in opposition, and collected an army of Mahrattas and others, to the number of about 30,000 horse, and an equal number of foot soldiers. The ministers of Ranjit called the Sikh forces from Lahore. These forces then entered the territories of the Jat, and stretched out their hands to plunder. Although the Jats opposed them, yet they did not withhold their hands.
9.4
At last, the armies of Ranjit Singh, being collected, fought with the Sikhs, and drove them out of his possessions. Nuwul Singh and Bhawani Singh went with the Mahratta army towards Malwa and Ujjain. The son of Ballu Jat, who had raised a rebellion in the territory, and wished to alienate a part from it, and make himself its master, was also baffled in his schemes, and could not succeed in his object. In the month of Safar, 1183 A.H. (June, 1769 A.D.), the town of Dig Kumbher twice caught fire, and about twelve or thirteen thousand men were burnt. No account was taken of the animals and houses which were consumed.
9.5
In the same year Tukkaji Holkar, son-in-law of Malhar Rao, Ram Chand Ganesh and other Mahrattas proceeded with a formidable army of one lac of horse and foot from the Dakhin, and reached the territory of Ranjit Singh. A great conflict took place between the Jat and Mahratta forces, and numerous men on both sides fell in the field. But the gale of victory blew in favour of the Mahratta army, and the Jats took refuge in the most fortified of their strongholds. The Mahratta army overran and spread devastation in the country which belonged to Ranjit Singh Jat, from Agra to Kol and Jalesar. The Jats, having assembled their forces, prepared to oppose them, and at last peace was made between the parties. The Jats gave a contribution of about forty-five lacs of rupees to the Mahrattas, and saved the country from their depredations. Being restored to their possessions, they banished the fear of the Mahrattas from their minds. Civil feuds had broken out among Nuwul Singh, Ranjit Singh, and other sons and grandsons of Suraj Mal Jat, and great disturbances took place, in consequence.
9.6
Najaf Khan, in the commencement of the year 1187 A.H. (1773 A.D.), made an irruption into the territories of the Jats; the Biluchis, Mewattis, and other tribes also joined with him. He brought many places which belonged to them into his possession, and has continued to spread disturbances in their territories up to this day, the 9th of Jumada-s sani, 1189 A.H. (Aug. 1775 A.D.). He subdued the Jats, and reduced the Rajas to subjection, as we have particularized in the chapter which gives his history. Najaf Khan took the fortress of Dig by storm from the Jats, who, according to some, also lost possession of Kumbher. This place, as well as Agra, Mathura, Bindraban, Kol, Jalesar and Kama, beside many other mahals, fell into the possession of Najaf Khan, who at the present day, the 1st of the month of Jumada-l awwal, 1192 A.H. (1 June, 1778 A.D.), has been engaged for some time in besieging the fort of Machehri.