(34) The Rupture

The Story Of The Sikhs

A squabble over plunder realized from an attack on the kingdom of Jammu creates a rupture between Maha Singh Shukerchakia and his mentor Jai Singh, the Kanhaiya patriarch. After Jai Singh insults his protégé and threatens him, Maha Singh conspires with Raja Sansar Chand and Jassa Singh Ramgarhia against the Kanhaiyas. Jassa Singh Ramgarhia, Baghel Singh and other Sikh chiefs launch raids across the Yamuna River, almost to the borders of Awadh, which is under British protection. This brings them to the attention of Madhaji Scindia, who sees them as a threat to Delhi and considers forming an alliance with them. After the raid, Jassa Singh Ramgarhia returns to the Punjab and joining hands with Maha Singh and Raja Sansar Chand attacks the Kanhaiyas. The brave son of Jai Singh Kanhaiya, Gurbaksh Singh is killed in battle and his wife, Sada Kaur moves center stage, picking up the reins of the Kanhaiya Misl from her ageing father in law, who is devastated.