Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c28.s12.1

v2.c28.s12.1

Thus perished Suraj Mal at the height of his greatness at the age of fifty-five. He was of middle stature and of a robust frame, very black in complexion and very fat. He had two extremely sparkling eyes, and all his physiognomy showed more of fire than was noticeable in his conduct, which was very sweet and supple. For more than twenty years he had enjoyed the sole government of the Jat kingdom, first as regent under the *faineant* Badan Singh and latterly as king himself. He left behind him five sons,—Nāhar Singh, his intended heir (born of a Jat wife), Jawahir and Ratan Singh (the offspring of a woman of the Gori caste), Nawal Singh and Ranjit Singh. His chief queen Hānsiā was childless but adopted Jawahir as her son.