Maharaja Ranjit Singh

Dr. K.K. Khullar has said: "According to all English accounts,' Ranjit Singh's Court excelled in the world; as the court with the finest looking and best dressed person." Rajnit Singh's personality was impressive and his marmers, charming. In his book The court and camp of Ranjit Singh, Osborne observes: "Ranjit Singh cannot fail to strike every one as that of a very extraordinary man.....The more I see of him, the more he strikes me as an extraordinary man." Those were the times, when the.Rajas and the Maharajas wore the Kamdar Zari clothes, studded with diamonds and pearls in golden lace and silken thread. But Hugel observes, he never saw him wear any embroidery, brocade or rich ornaments of any sort. The bracelet studded with 'Kohinoor' was worn by him only on special occasions. After he was free from the exacting demands of the state affairs, he liked to participate in the games and enjoyed fun and frolic. Hunting was his favourite occupation. The area between the rivers Satlej and Ravi was reserved for this purpose. The Maharaja would set out on hunting sprees accompanied by cavaliers, body-guards and soldiers.

Usually the game started in the afternoon. The Maharaja was also accompanied by a team of trained hounds. Falcons were also used to chase and scare away the small animals like rabbits and birds. In the first instance they would set the falcon after the prey. The falcon would tire out the animal with constant chase and then pounce upon it. Sometimes the animal was captured after it had been injured by the powerful claws and the sharp merciless beak of the falcon. Then the hounds would take over. Ranjit Singh liked to fight the lions and tigers, with his sword and shield. The guns were not used for this purpose, whenever a tiger was taken by any of his men, he would reward him generously and praise him publicly.