Lehal Library

194 Punjab Monarchy and Imperialism Khalsaji. He acknowledged no earthly superior. He was impelled by the weight of tradition that had grown up over the years, that it was the destiny of the Sikhs to rule (R.iij Kare ga Khalsa) and that perhaps he had been chosen by the gurus to be the instrument of their inscrutable design. With this assurance Ranjit Singh was able to harness the dynamic energies of his people and with a dear conscience launched himself on a career of conquest and annexation. Immediately after his coronation, Ranjit Singh had the city walls and gates, which had suffered many sieges, repaired, and posted pickets at all strategic points to check crime, which had increased enormously under Bhangi misrule. The city was divided in.to wards wider a caudhri (headman), who was responsible for the maintenance of law and order in the district under his jurisdiction and could get police assistance whenever required. He also reorganized the adnrinistration of justice in the city. Since the majority of the population were Muslims, he set up separate courts for them under qadis who administered the Shariat Law. But for those Muslims who, like the Hindus and the Sikhs, preferred to be governed by the customary law of their caste or district, there were other courts under judicial officers appointed by the state. Ranjit Singh had a chain of dispensaries opened in different parts of the city where Yunani (Greek) medicine was dispensed free of charge. Hakim Nuruddin, the younger brother of Fakir Azizuddin, was appointed chief medical officer. Ranjit Singh did not make any changes in the agricultural system or land revenue that had prevailed since Mughal rule. Every village had a revenue collector ( muqaddam) and a circle of villages (tappah or tiiluqah) was in the charge of a caudhri. In addition, there was the keeper of fiscal records, the qiinungo. The revenue officials were themselves proprietors of land in their respective villages or circle and were compensated by a reduction in revenue. Revenue was collected directly from the cultivator of the land. The amount and manner of payment varied, but care was taken