Lehal Library

190 Punjab Monarchy and Imperialism The capture of Lahore brought about a combination ofBhangi, Ramgarhia, and other chiefs who envied Ranjit Singh's success and became hostile to him. They met at Amritsar, and, egged on by Nizamuddin Khan, advanced with their armies towards Lahore. Ranjit Singh met them at the village of Bhasin, ten miles east of the capital. The armies faced each other for two months until the leader of the confederate army, Guiab Singh Bhangi, died of the ill effects of liquor; the others quietly returned to their homes. 4 The 'victory' at Bhasin confirmed Ranjit Singh's position as the premier chieftain of the Punjab, and people began to flock to him. He installed himself in the fort and began holding regular court in the Musammam Burj (Octagonal Tower), as bad been the practice of the Mughals and their governors. He recruited new talent for the services and reorganized the revenue and judicial administration of the territory under his control. Among the first to take employment with him were three Bokhari brothers of whom the eldest, Azizuddin;!, became the Maharajah's closest friend and adviser and later Minister of Foreign Affairs. Fateh Singh Ahluwalia, who had hitched his wagon to Ranjit Singh's rising star, became chief adviser on military matters. rlle nature of moves on the chess-board. The faas are that the cannons were lost by Shah Zaman, recovered by Ranjit (see Ranjit's letter to Collins, SC 95 of 30.12.1800) and presented to Shah Zaman at least six months after Ranjit had made himself master of Lahore; and Shah Zaman was not destined to return to Hindustan as a conqueror. 4 Ranjit Singh was, however, in dire financial straits at the end of rlle Bhasin expedition and was contemplating raising a compulsory loan from the local moneylenders. Fornme favoured him; just about that time a treasure consisting of 20,000 gold wwhurs was unearthed at Budhu-da-Ava outside the city walls. 5 Az.izuddin, born in 1780, was the son of Hakim Ghulam Mohiuddin. The two brothers in the employ of Ranjit Singh were Imamuddin and Nuruddin. Azizuddin met Ranjit Singh in 1799 when he was summoned to treat the Maharajah for some eye trouble. He served Ranjit Singh for forty years and stayed in coon after his death as adviser to Kha.rak Singh, Nao Nihal Singh, and Sher Singh. He died on 5 December 1845. (Faqir Azi.::uddin, by Lajpat Rai Nair.)