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RANJÍT SINGH

of Pesháwar, where, in 1837, he was slain in a pitched battle with the Afgháns.

After Harí Singh Nalwa, the conspicuous fighting chief was Sirdár Attar Singh Sindhanwalia, who from his strength and courage was considered the champion of the Khálsa. He was a member of the most powerful family in the Punjab proper, that to which the Mahárájá himself belonged. The Sindhanwalias were a turbulent race, and Attar Singh, his brother Lehna Singh, and his nephew Ajit Singh were all conspicuous in the intrigues which preceded and followed the death of Ranjit Singh. They represented the opposition to the power and influence of the three Jammu Rájás, and all died violent deaths.

Rájá Ghuláb Singh, Rájá Dhyán Singh and Rájá Suchet Singh, were of a Dogra Rájput family of humble origin, but by sheer force of character and ability, rose to great power during the latter days of the monarchy. Rájá Dhyán Singh, the second brother, was, during the Mahárájá's lifetime, the most important of the three. He succeeded Jamadár Khushhál Singh in charge of the Deorhi, and was virtually for some years Prime Minister, being the channel of communication between the Mahárájá and the people, and having general control of all departments except those of finance and foreign affairs, which were respectively in the hands of Rájá Dina Náth and Fakír Azizuddin. His brother, Ghuláb Singh, was generally employed on military duties, but after the death of the Mahárájá and the murder of his brother, Dhyán