Lehal Library

Ahmed Shah Abdali 155 issued silver coins in the name of the Founder of their faith and that of their militant fraternity, Guru Gobind Singh. Lehna Singh, who held the most important part of the city, proved to be an able and enlightened administrator. He had no sectarian prejudices. Since the majority of the citizens were Muslims, he joined them in their festivals and made offerings at their shrines. A few months ofLehna Singh 's rule erased antiSikh prejudices created by the Afghans and the bigoted mullahs from the minds of the people. The Muslims of Lahore shed their fear of the Khalsa and instead, like their co-religionists in the countryside, began to look upon the Sikhs more as fellow Punjabis than as infidels and to regard the Afghans more as foreigners than as defenders of the faith. This change of heart was the most decisive factor in the success of Ranjil Singh thirty-four years later. After the monsoon, Sikhs plundered the country north of Delhi and crossed the Jumna into Rohilla territory.-~2 They had many skirmishes with Najibuddaulah's troops"3 and when they were hard pressed, recrossed the Jumna. This expedition was more Sohan Lal says rhat Charhat Singh Sukerd1akia demanded a share in the city and was given Abdali's famous cannon, Zarn Zama. The Zam Zama later pas.sed from the Sukerchakias through various hands ro the Bhangis and was k.ept at Amritsar. Charhat Singh's grandson, R.aitjit Singh, recapwred it. 52 'The)' (Lhe Sikhs) seized hooty beyond count in cash, gold, and jewels, burned the countryside, and canied away many prisoners. Greatly distressed by the news, Najibuddaulah marched at once towards the Sikhs and by rapid marches cainc upon them. On the arrival of Najibuddaulah, the Sikhs, aft.er plundering the country, recrossed theJumna and wem away in Lhe direction of their own country, Najibuddaulah then rcwmed lO the capital.' (Nafilmddauw.h, p. 77.) 53 'Every day there were skinnishes between them [tJ1e Sikhs] and his [Najibuddaulah] troops. The Sikhs continued to bum and plunder the villages and kill people in all directions. TI1ey reached the bank of the Jumna and thence they went 10 the pargana of Shamli. There a sliff battle was fought which lasted till lhe evening. The Sikh troopers kept moving round I.he camp of Najibuddaulah.' (Najilnuldauliih, p. II0.)