The Real Maharaja Ranjit Singh: A Family Memoir by Fakir Syed Waheeduddin. Updated by Fakir Syed Aijazuddin Book Review
Originally written by the great-great-grandson of Nooruddin, the Home Minister of Ranjit Singh, and based on first-hand accounts left in the private papers of the author's ancestors, this updated version not only adds another 150 pages but helps to provide a fascinating insight into Maharaja Ranjit Singh and his court from the perspective of some of his closest courtiers.
Who are the authors?
Fakir Syed Waheeduddindin (the author) was the great-great-grandson of Nuruddin, the Home Minister of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
In 1965, Fakir Syed Waheeduddindin compiled the first version of ‘The Real Maharaja’. The book, coming to around 166 pages, is based on first-hand accounts left in the private papers of Fakir Azizuddin, Fakir Imamuddin and the youngest brother Fakir Nooruddin, who all served Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
One of the most significant papers used by the author was Azizuddin’s Roznamcha or notebook - a 637 page volume most of which are random jottings and some recollections, completed in 1840 - five years before Azizuddin’s death.
Furthermore, the standing and achievements of the Fakir brothers cannot be understated. Fakir Syed Nuruddin was Maharaja Ranjit Singh Ji’s Home Minister and personal physician, Fakir Syed Imamuddin was one of his principal administrative officers and Azizuddin was the Maharajah’s Foreign Minister.
Azizuddin was a dependable bridge between Maharaja Ranjit Singh and William Bentinck and Lord Auckland. In addition, in 1891 when Czar Nicholas II of Russia visited Lahore, the name of Azizuddin appeared in an account of the Prince’s travels.
“His attended Count Ookthomsky recorded: ‘Far-seeing Brahmins and Mohammeans, the favourite counsellors of a Sikh sovereign, assisted him to carry out his clever foreign policy. Chief among them was the talented fakir, Aziz-ud-deen, a native of Bokhara, where members of his family are said to dwell to the present day.’” [Page 29]
The book features a preface by Fakir Syed Waheeduddin, a foreword by Lord Hailey, a small introductory chapter by Aijzauddin, alongside 246 pages of text, split over 5 chapters (The Four Commandments, The Man of Destiny, The Pen and The Sword, Humanity Indeed, A Wedding and a Funeral), which includes 19 colour plates, two facsimiles of documents and half a dozen black and white images. In addition, a glossary of terms and notes and references completes the book.
It is Fakir Syed Waheeduddindin’s son, Fakir Syed Aijzauddin (the editor of the updated version) who has updated ‘The Real Maharaja’ and provided us the version we’re reviewing today.
Fakir Syed Aijzauddin (b. 1942) was educated in the UK, qualifying as a chartered accountant in 1965. Since then he has had a distinguished professional career in the private and public sector worldwide.
Similar to his father, Aijzauddin has maintained a parallel pursuit as an author. HIs reputation as an art historian received its first impetus with his catalogue raisonne of Pahari Paintings and Sikh Portraits in the Lahore Museum (1977). This was followed by Sikh Portraits by European Artists (1979), a study of the 19th century paintings in the Princess Bamba collection, Lahore Fort.
His most recent work on this period of Punjab history is The Resourceful Fakirs: Three Muslim Brothers at the Sikh Court of Lahore (2014). Aijzauddin’s latest work includes Studies in Majesty. Paintings by August Schoefft and related portraits (2021) and the update of The Real Maharaja Ranjit Singh: A Family Memoir by Fakir Syed Waheeduddin (2021).
Chapter by Chapter Breakdown
Chapter one starts with explaining the aim of the book - to get behind the larger image of the Maharajah through the use of personal source material of some of the closest people around him.
Moving on to Ranjit Singh’s entry into Lahore Fort in 1799, traditionally marking the start of his reign as King and a set of four rules used to ensure strength and prosperity of his kingdom. Ranjit Singh’s daily routine as ‘a devout Sikh’:
“He would have his bath, dress, put on his arms and go to the prayer-room, where he would listen to recitation from the Granth Sahib. After that he would touch his eyes and then his forehead to the marvellous Kalghi (a bejewelled turban brooch) of Sri Guru Gobind Singh. Only after he had gone through this whole routine would he settle down to transact the day’s business.” [page 47]
This is followed by an inspection of Ranjit Singh’s religious practice and performance of devotional acts, including Ranjit’s own refusal to take a physical throne at his court (for the most part anyway) and the King’s constant personal involvement to help matters for those around him, including Sardar Sham Singh Atariwala, Moran Sarkar and Akali Phula Singh.
We’re even provided an insight into the physical layout of Ranjit’s court with:
“People of the pen among the councillors used to sit on the Maharaja’s right, with Fakir Azizuddin in front, and people of the sword, on his left, with Prime Minister Raja Dhian Singh, in front.” [Page 62]
Perhaps one of the most interesting sections of chapter one are the two translations of orders issued by Maharaja Ranjit Singh regarding the dispensation of justice - included to demonstrate that Ranjit was aware,
“he was fallible and tried to provide against any possible adverse effects of his fallibility upon the rights and well-being of his people.” [Page 70]
Much of the rest of the chapter includes other instances that demonstrate a particular facet of Ranjit Singh - reviving offices of the hereditary Kazis and Muftis, reintroducing the mohalladari (colony) system and receiving personal petitions and complaints.
The chapter ends with a short overview of the Dogra brothers and a brilliant insight into the origins of the Fakir family, the title ‘Fakir’ and the Fakir brothers - Azizuddin, Imamuddin and Nooruddin.
"To the honesty of Azizuddin and his young brothers there is no better testimony than this, that the confidnce Ranjit Singh reposed in them was never misued." [Page 86]
Chapter Two
Chapter two starts with exploring the geography and history of Punjab from the time of Babur and Guru Nanak Dev Ji through to Guru Gobind Singh Ji and Aurangzeb, to the Misl period and beyond.
A fascinating section focuses entirely on the ancestry of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, tracing his ancestry to Budh Singh, who is said to have taken amrit from the hands of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
After tracing this ancestry from Budh Singh to Ranjit Singh, the chapter then explores how Ranjit Singh came out on top of the misl period, how Ranjit Singh continued to defend Punjab, along with other Sardars, even once he was Maharajah, and how Ranjit dealt with those who did not acknowledge his sovereignty - including Jassa Singh Ramgarhia.
The rest of the chapter deals with the English, the 1806 Treaty of Lahore, contemporary events of Europe, the Malwa Chiefs continued lack of acknowledging Ranjit’s sovereignty, the schools of thought that split Ranjit’s court when it came to dealing with the English, Ranjit’s hosting of Shah Shuja and the conquering of Multan, Kashmir and Peshawar.
All of this is littered with various personal anecdotes and insights into the different facets of Ranjit Singh. The book, staying true to its aim, provides a brilliant insight into the King.
Chapter 3
This chapter is split into two, dealing with ‘the pen’ providing a fascinating understanding of the offices and administration of government along with the trappings of daily life for a citizen of Ranjit's Kingdom.
"The total population of the kingdom was estimated on a rough basis, at 53,500,000. The cost of living can be judge from the fact that the price of the staple food, wheat, was fourteen annas (less than a rupee) a maund (approx. 37kg)." [page 172]
The second part, ‘the sword’, provides a brilliant comprehension of the layout, make-up, organisation and evolution of Ranjit’s army.
Chapter 4
Chapter four focuses on Ranjit Singh’s mother-in-law Sada Kaur, tracing their history from the initial conflict between their misldar predecessors. The focus then moves to one of Ranjit Singh’s closest friendships with Fateh Singh Ahluwalia.
The focus once again shifts, this time to Ranjit’s relationship with the Akalis, Ranjit’s handling of justice, the legendary horse of Ranjit Singh - Lali. The rest of the chapter deals with Ranjit Singh’s architectural marvels, Ranjit Singh’s wives and women, his pets, his penchant for alcohol, ability to balance public and private life before rounding it off with an explanation of how Ranjit Singh consolidated his kingdom using the, “barest minimum of force or craft necessary.” [page 247]
Chapter 5
The final chapter is split into two rather impactful sections. The first dealing with the wedding of Prince Nau Nihal Singh, and the accompanying pageantry, fun, food and positivity. The second section concentrates on the death of the main focus of the whole book, Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
“It took a lot to kill the old lion - three strokes of paralysis in four years, several bouts of fever and dysentery, experiments by a whole host of allopathic homoeopathic, ayurvedic and Unani doctors and quacks and, last but not least, his absolute refusal to allow himself to any rest.” [page 271]
Conclusion & Rating
Although the book, on the whole, is completely in favour of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, with very minimal, if no critical analysis at all, it still provides an easy read, along with a whole host facts and, most importantly, and why I recommend this book, is that it provides fascinating insight into various aspects of the Maharaja and his Kingdom, all gleaned from primary source material from some of Ranjit Singh’s closest associates. An easy 5 out of 5 star rating.
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