Maharaja`s march to Kashmir;
Meeting with Meghnaton, British Ambassador;
Lord Auckland, Governor General at Ferozpur;
The Ailment and Death of Maharaja
The Maharaja breathed his last on the fifth day of his sickness, the 15th of Asarh, 1896 (Bikrimi / Punjabi Calendar and 20 June 1839 Gregorian Calendar), Thursday, around dusk. It had already grown dark, Raja Dhiyan Singh, the Prime Minister was ordered to maintain calm in the city, in case riots broke out. The next day, in accordance with the royal tradition, the dead body of Maharaja was bathed and made up the way he appeared in court, putting on the royal dress and the jewels. A podium of gold was prepared for his last rites.
His last two Rajput wives, Maharani Rajdai and Maharani Hardai, daughters of Raja Sansar Chand, ruler of Kaangra, started their preparations for Satti. At first, they declared all their estates and property including jewels, gems and stones for charity. Driven by Maharaja`s love, they dressed up in their bridals and walked out of the palace, bare feet.
Amongst men, Raja Dhiyaan Singh, the Prime Minister, declared that he would also burn to death with Maharaja and ordered his effects to be given in charity. On seeing this, the nobles from the court came and persuaded him to change his decision. They pleaded that Maharaja had chosen Raja Dhiyan Singh, amongst all men because of his wisdom and it was in the greater interest of Punjab that he looked after the affairs, run the state and guide the crown Prince Kharag Singh. Raja Dhiyan Singh, however, refused to listen. Prince Kharag Singh, then, walked up to him and convinced him to change his mind. He offered him to leave the assignment as soon as the calm prevails, to which he agreed.
Both the Ranis, moved out of the palace and sat around Maharaja`s dead body. Geeta, the holy book, was placed on Maharaja`s body. The Satti Ranis administered the oath, on Geeta and the body of Maharaja, by Raja Dhiyan Singh and Prince Kharag Singh to fulfill their duties for the best of Khalsa Raj and Punjab Empire.
Maharaja`s dead body was lifted with great prestige and aura. Hundreds of gold coins, minted with Maharaja`s figure, were thrown in the air. A large number of servants and citizens accompanied the funeral procession. The procession was taken out from the western gate of Hazoori Bagh and it moved alongside River Ravi, where it was placed on a heap of Chandan wood for cremation. Prince Kharag Singh lit the fire. Both the Ranis sat in the fire, holding the head of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and eleven Kaneez (maids) sat on both side of the dead body, to be burnt with Maharaja. Raja Dhiyan Singh went near to the Ranis and requested for prayers for Prince Kharag Singh, the Sattis did not reply and stayed still with tight lips and closed eyes.
When Flames flickered high, Oil, Ghee (purified butter) and scents were thrown in. A pigeon flew from nowhere and fell into the fire to become Satti. After a little while, it started to rain. The skies also mourned the death of Maharaja. After the fire finally extinguished, the bodies of Maharaja, Ranis and Maids completely burnt and rituals done, Prince Kharag Singh took bath and returned to Palace.
On the fourth day, the remains (of cremation) were dispatched honorably, for Ganga. The remains were taken out in form of procession. All the courtiers, who attended royal procession, paid respect to Maharaja`s remains. The reagents of the area, from where the remains passed on their way to Ganga, came out to pay homage. On the thirteenth day, when the remains were finally merged into Ganga, millions were given to Brahmins and the last rites culminated.
The crown prince ordered to build a Tomb (Samadh) and valuable stones were called for, across the India. The foundation stone was laid for the building. The tomb was under construction, when Maharaja Kharag Singh died. The pause prevailed throughout the regimes of Maharaja Sher Singh and Maharaja Duleep Singh. Finally, when British assumed the rule of Punjab, the tomb was completed. Many people visited the tomb in coming years. On account of heaviness of upper Dome, cracks were observed in the eight supporting pillars. When British administrators observed this, they contacted me and as Incharge of buildings of Lahore, I was given the responsibility to stabilize and restore the tomb. I added eight more supporting pillars and the cracking pillars were strengthened through Iron rings. To date, the Samadh is stable and attracts visitors throughout India.
Excerpts from
Chapter 44,
Tareekh e Punjab by Kanhaya Lal Hindi
