Muhkam Singh

Raja Muhkam Singh was a Jat Chieftain and son of Churaman. He succeeded his father to the leadership of Jats from c. September, 1721 to 18 November 1722. Fransoo, while giving the genealogy of the Jat rulers, mentions him as the first Raja, who set up his Raj at Thun.[1] It appears, however, that he himself adopted the title of the Raja.[2][3]

Unpopular leader

Ill tempered, domineering and pugnacious, young Muhkam Singh was incapable as a leader.[4] He is believed to have forcibly occupied the vacant leadership, much against the then prevalent custom among the Jats. A majority of the Jat leaders, apparently headed by Badan Singh) did not approve it. They also disliked his intemperance and wished to sack him. [5][6] This situation precipitated an internal crisis again. Getting jealous of Badan Singh’s “bravery and ability” Muhkan Singh threw that chief into prison at Khoh (6 miles north-west of Deeg).[7]

This was thus Badan Singh’s second imprisonment within a short time. The maltreatment at the hands of Muhkam Singh ultimately strengthened his cause. Fransoo adds that as many as 22 prominent sardars[8] to be Raja Ram’s son, Fateh Singh of Ajan, Anup Singh of Arig, Ati Ram’s son, Shardul Singh of Halena, Gujars of Sihi and Helak, Purohit Kalu Ram and Lalji of Barsana and others), who loved Badan Singh for his “good behaviour” appealed to Muhkam Singh to release his cousin but he refused . [7]

Widening Discord

At a time when Muhkam Singh’s strength was dwindling owing to the widening discord, he and his brother Zul Karan further provocated the Mughals. They created widespread turbulence in their neighborhood. They committed depredations on the royal highways, and despoiled the village and towns. Expelling revenue officials, they illegally realized revenue from Khalsa and Jagir Mahals. Saadat Khan failed all through to chastise the insurgents. All this caused deep anxiety to the government.[7]

References

  1. ↑ Tawarikh-i-Hunud, 14a,14b
  2. ↑ Dow, Hindustan, II, 352
  3. ↑ G.C.Dwivedi, The Jats, Their role in the Mughal Empire, Ed. Dr Vir Singh, Delhi, 2003, p.88
  4. ↑ Siyar, I, 329
  5. ↑ Ganga Singh, op.cit., 93
  6. ↑ Tawarikh-i-Hunud, 15a
  7. 1 2 3 G.C.Dwivedi, The Jats, Their role in the Mughal Empire, Ed. Dr Vir Singh, Delhi, 2003, p.89
  8. ↑ U.N.Sharma, Itihas, 304, 310
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