Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c22.s4.1

v2.c22.s4.1

Timur governed the Panjab for one year, from May 1757 to April 1758. But this fair prospect of the reign of law and order in the Panjab was soon overcast. Two Afghan troopers when coming from Sarhind to Lahor, were killed in the territory of the fort of Budha Rāmdās. Jahān Khan at once sent some bailiffs to compel the headman of the place to produce the culprits. These men, following the Persian practice, beat him so hard that he was brought to death's door, and saved his life only by escaping at night to some unknown village. The entire Sikh community felt insulted by this outrage on the headman, who was a notable religious guide (Bābā) and a rich revenue farmer too. "From that day the peace and orderly rule which had been recently established in the country disappeared and the Sikhs rose in rebellion on all four sides."