AKHBARAT-I-SINGHAN

AKHBARAT-I-SINGHAN, also known as Twarikhi Sikkhan, is a diary of the day today events of the period from 1895 Bk/AD 1839 to 1903 Bk/AD 1847 based on official reports which General Avitabile (q.v.), military governor of Peshawar during Sikh times, received from various districts under his jurisdiction. It is written in Khatti Shikasta. also called Khatti Diwani; the name of the compiler is not known. The only known manuscript is available, in three volumes, at the Panjab University Library. Lahore, under MS. No. PE III, 30. Volume I, comprising 250 folios, covers the period from 12 Chet 1895 Bk to 3 Jeth, 1896 23 March 1839-May 1839 and contains news from Peshawar.

It starts with a meeting at Peshawar between General Avitabile and Colonel Wade, the British political agent on the Anglo Sikh frontier. Details of the effusive welcome given the latter are recorded, but nothing of what transpired between the two. There is also a report on the meeting between Colonel Wade and General Ventura (q.v.) on 10 Baisakh, 1896 Bk/21 April 1839. In the month of Baisakh Samvat 1896, Prince Nau Nihal Singh visited Peshawar where special arrangements were made for his stay. Every morning after listening to path (reading of texts) from the Guru Granth Sahib, the prince held his darbar.

Details are given of the income from revenue deposited in the treasury by the local landlords; also, of the expenditure of the army. It is recorded that the Sikh army officers stationed at Peshawar were fully aware of the political situation in Afghanistan and that the Lahore Darbar received through them regular reports on the events in that country. Another report tells of Prince Nau Nihal Singh\’s visit to Peshawar in Baisakh 1896 April-May 1839. The Prince held a darbar at which he gave audience to the Peshawar Barakzais Pir Muhammad Khan and Sultan Muhammad Khan. Those in attendance on the prince included Atar Singh Sandhanvalia, General Ventura, Lahina Singh Majithia, Fateh Singh and Shaikh Ghulam Mohi ud-Din.

The Prince fell ill at Peshawar and was treated by Hakim Aizad Bakhsh. Volume II, comprising 226 folios, covers the period from 2 Bhadon 1898 Bk to 29 Magh 1898 Bk/15 August 1841 9 February 1842. It describes in general activities of Avitabile on the northwest frontier. It begins with the General holding a darbar or court at which kardars, i.e. revenue officials and heads of the various departments, present reports of the conditions prevailing in the areas under their jurisdiction. The General checked the record of the income from revenue and the expenditure on the army. Reports from Bannu and Kohat were presented and instructions by the General were issued on the spot.

He was also informed that on his way from Peshawar to Kohat, Dr James, another of the European employees of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, was robbed by the Afridis. Volume III, comprising 192 folios and covering the period from 16 Bhadon 1903 Bk to 8 Phagun 1903 Bk/29 August 1846 17 February 1847 contains reports from Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Isa Khel, Musa Khel, Kulachi and Tonk. The principal character of this volume is Diwan Daulat Ram, who regularly held court and conducted official business. News on trade and commerce is also given. The author relies for his news on official reports which the military governor of Peshawar received from various districts and this makes the work authentic and reliable. Though the style resembles that of Umdat-ut-Twarikh, the author is definitely a different person.