SULTAN MUHAMMAD KHAN

SULTAN MUHAMMAD KHAN, one of the several sons of Painda Khan, was a gorgeous person known as “Sultan Bibi” on account of Ills excessive love of finery and ostentation. In 1830 Sultan Muhammad Khan became governor of Peshawar and a tributary of the Sikhs. About this time, he was forced to surrender the famous horse Laili to Ranjit Singh. In May 1834, Sultan Muhammad Khan was replaced in Peshawar by Hari Singh Nalva and granted a handsome Jagir.

When in 1835, Dost Muhammad Khan declared a holy war on the Sikhs to recover Peshawar, he won over his brother Sultan Muhammad Khan to his side. However, Sultan Muhammad Khan placed no faith in Dost Muhammad Khan and defected to Ranjit Singh`s camp. When the British government decided to bring Afghanistan under their influence and planned with the help of Ranjit Singh to replace Dost Muhammad Khan by Shah Shuja, Sultan Muhammad Khan supported the Sikhs. Sultan Muhammad Khan was a staunch follower of the Dogra brothers. In 1845, when the Sikh army marched upon Jammu to punish Raja Gulab Singh, Sultan Muhammad Khan strongly pleaded for the Raja.

References :

1. Lepel, Griffin, The Punjab Chiefs. Lahore, 1890
2. Barr, Lt. William, Journal of a March from Delhi to Peshawar with the Mission of Col. Wade. London,1844
3. Masson, Charles, Narrative of Various Journeys in Beluchistan, Afghanistan and the Punjab. London,1842