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The late Rajah
of Patiala
The Illustrated London
News - "The portrait of the late Rajah, whose name
has been frequently mentioned in the late news from Indian,
is copied from native drawing, curiously executed in colours,
and illuminated with gold. His Highness wears his war costume,
which is elaborately wrought; but in richness is rivailed
by the superb caparisoning of the charger: the saddle-cloth,
especially, is as exquisitely wrought as the page of an
illuminated missal.
Patiala is the principal of the protected Sikh states under
our goverment, and the band of the Phullan confederacy of
Sikhs. It was the first to seek British protection from
the grasping ambition ofRunjeet Singh, in 1809. The Rajah's
territory is extensive, both in the hills and plains between
the Junena and the Sutlej. The hill district was a tail
of our conquests from the Nepaulese; but was confered on
the Patiala chief in return for his services rendered to
us during our war with Nepaul. The other portion lies between
Hansee and Unballah. The Rajah's revenue was about $35,000;
and his military force 3000 tropps, almost all irregular,
and fit only for the duties of police.
The Rajah himself, from his remarkable stature, has been
called 'the Modern Porus.' He always cultivated a closer
intimacy with our Goverment than that of Lahore, which,
in consequence, made him a greater object of jealousy to
the latter than any other of our proteguees. But, his treachery
being discovered during the late war, he was summarily put
to death by the British troops, by hanging him on a tree."
18/4/1846
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