Page:Gazetteer of the province of Oudh ... (IA cu31924024153987).pdf/648

 GON

570

Earn Singh had two sons, the elder Datt Singh, and the younger Bhayya Bhawani Singh. Both -were renovmed warriors, and have left their marks on the history of their age. The latter conquered the r^ja of Bhinga and possessed himself of his kingdom.

Datt Singh succeeded his father in 1105 Fasli, and under hi^ rule began the growth of Gonda town and of the fame of its chieftains. He was a bold and enterprising commander, who collected round him a vast following of Rajputs, and with their aid he carried his arms victoriously beyond the limits of Oudh. He won no less than 22 pitched battles' against other rajas. He conquered the raja of Bansi and sacked his palace, bearing away the chaakhat of the main gate, which he afterwards erected at the entrance of his own palace at Gonda, where it may still be seen. He is the subject of most of the pawanras which are sung throughout the district at village gatherings and the story of his victory over Alawal Khan at Balpurghat is the theme of a song which will gather Thdkurs together and rouse their hearts in these quiet days.

During the reign of Datt Singh many Rajputs of the Katharia, Sombansi and Bais clans settled at Gonda, and by them the Katharia and The latter muhalla is outside the ramBaistola muhallas were peopled. parts which surrounded -the ancient qasba, and we may conclude that the growth of Gonda outside the fortified limits began with the victories of Datt Singh, and the absence of any extension of the moat to embrace the new muhalla shows that Datt Singh's arms aifforded a safe protection against the approach of marauders and the troops of hostile rajas. Datt Singh had two sons, Udatt Singh and Azmat Singh. The latter was adopted by the widow of the raja of Manikapur, she being the sister of Datt Singh's wife. Udatt Singh succeeded his father, and his son Mangal Singh succeeded him. When Mangal Singh had been six years on the gaddi he was murdered by Zalim Singh, the raja of Amorha, in zila Basti. Zalim Singh was a relation of the raja of Bansi, and he determined to slay one of the Gonda r^jas by way of avenging the defeat of the Bansi He therefore invited Mangal Singh to meet him at raja by Datt Singh. the border of the Gonda and Basti zilas for a friendly interview, and promised a spectacle. Both came to the rendezvous with their troops. Zdlim Singh pitched a tent between the armies and called Mangal Singh Mangal Singh went alone to the interview and to a private conference. was murdered in the tent.' He was succeeded by his son Shiu Parshad, who gave up the excitement of war and the chase, and devoted himself He went on many pilgrimages to places held to study and religion. sacred by the Hindus and bringing back with him a lively recollection of the spots he visited, he built along the banks of the Sagar rude imitations He built the thakurdwdra in the island in the of those sacred places. lake, and he was there buried by the side of Datt Singh and Rani Dharm Kunwar. Shiu Parshad was succeeded by Jai Singh, who married Phdl European officer was sent in his reign to survey the Gonda Kunwar. pargana and although he came under the authority of the Lucknow darbar, Jai Singh opposed him. The Lucknow Government sent troops to punish the insubordination of Jai Singh. He fled. His estate was then held kham, but was restored to the Rani Phlil Kunwar by the darbar. The rani made Hindupat Singh her manager, and adopted Gumdn Singh,

A