Page:The Imperial Durbar Album of the Indian princes, chiefs and zamindars.djvu/55

 Bahawalpur.

BAHAWALPUR is one of the Mahomedan States in the Punjab. The ruling family who claim their descent from the Abbasid Khalifs of Egypt, came to Sindh in the beginning of the 14th century, defeated Rai Dhaurang, the ruler of Sindh, and established themselves in the northern part of the country, with Shikarpur as their head-quarters.

Early in the 18th century the Abbasi settlers in Sindh were divided into two rival families, the Dadpotras and Kalhoras. Amir Sadiq Mahommed Khan, the head of the former, marched out with his followers in quest of territory, and secured for himself the tract round about, where the city of Bahawalpur now stands. He laid the town of Allahabad in 1729 A.D. and wrested the fort of Derwar from Rawal Ajai Singh of Jaisalmer in 1733 A.D. He died in 1746 A.D. and was succeeded by his son Mahommed Bahawal Khan I. He founded the city of 'Bahawalpur' which he named after him, and made it his capital. He died in 1749 A.D. and was succeeded by his nephew as Bahawal Khan 11. In 1779 A.D. Emperor Shah Alum conferred on him the title of "Rukam-ud-daula Nasrat Jung Mukhhis-ud-daula Hafiz-ul-mulk", which the Nawabs of Bahawalpur still hold.

The rise of Maharaja Ranjit Singh was viewed with alarm by the Nawab of Bahawalpur, and he repeatedly requested the British Government for protection, but without success. Mr. Mountstuart Elphinstone during his journey on his mission to Kabul in 1808 A.D. passed through Bahawalpur when visits were interchanged with the Nawab. This may be said to be the commencement of the relations of friendship that have subsisted between the British Government and the Nawab of Bahawalpur, although they were definitely setded later on.

Bahawal Khan II died in 1809 A.D. and was succeeded by his son, who ruled till his death in 1825 A.D. His son and successor, Bahawal Khan III, sent a representative to Lord William Bentick, the Viceroy and Governor-General, to request him to dissuade Ranjit Singh from his plan of attacking Bahawalpur. The Goveror 'General successfully bound the Maharaja of Lahore to abstain from any invasion on Bahawalpur territory, and ..the first regular treaty with Bahawalpur was made in July 1833 A.D. This agreement was renewed in 1838 A.D. The Nawab rendered great assistance to the British Government during the First Afgan War, and in 1848 A.D. on the breaking out of the Multan War against Diwan Mularj, he actively co-operated with the forces under Sir Herbert Edwards and General Cartlandt; and the result of their combined action was the surrender of Multan. These valuable services were acknowledged by the British Government, by the grant to the Nawab of a life-pension of one lac of Rupees annually, and of the districts of Sabzal, Kot, and Bhung.

Nawab Bahawal Khan III died in 1852 A.D. and his third son, Sadatyar Khan setting the eldest brother at defiance, assumed the government with the title of Sadiq Mahommed Khan III; but the new ruler was deposed, and the rightful elder brother, Nawab FatelvKhan, ascended the masnad. The British Govrenment recognised him as the Nawab. During the Mutiny of 1 857 A.D., Nawab Fateh Khan rendered a