Subsequent to Shere-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh's death, the deceitful acts and bloodshed instigated by the Dogras are painful to iterate. Dogras washed their hands with the blood of Maharaja's sons - the very same Maharaja Shere-Punjab whose graciousness brought them a decent living. There quest for blood wasn't quenched even after killing the Saintly Maharaja Khadak Singh by poisoning him in prison. When the hope of Sikh Raj, Naunihal was returning from his father's cremation, the Dogras tried to kill him by blowing the alleyway. But when he escaped, the Dogra demon Raja Dhayan Singh put him in a palki, brought him to the fort, and mercilessly killed him there.
Why did the Dogras play in such bloody festivities? They wanted to swallow the entire Punjab Raj. Dogra brothers, Raja Dhayan Singh and Gulab Singh had already reached an understanding regarding the division of Punjab kingdom. According to their agreement, Jammu and Kashmir would go to Gulab Singh while Raja Dhayan Singh wished to control the rest and fulfill is long awaited ambition to crown his son, Raja Hira Singh, as the Punjab ruler. With this mission in mind, he was engrossed in eliminating the inheritors of Punjab Raj, one by one.
After Maharaja Khadak Singh and Maharaja Naunihal Singh's murder, Raja Dhayan Singh focused his attention on Maharaja Sher Singh. He wanted to clear his way by killing Maharaja Sher Singh and his son. For this reason, he summoned Sher Singh from Batala prior to releasing the news of Maharaja Naunihal's death.
Dogra brothers were confident of their scheme and the progress to date was considered successful. The vast Sikh Empire had been in their control so far and they also sensed the approaching occasion when they could proclaim themselves as the rulers of the whole kingdom. However, an obstruction emerged unexpectedly in their path.
The very first person to understand their evil strategy was Shere-Punjab's daughter-in-law and Maharaja Naunihal's mother, Maharani Chand Kaur After her husband and son's murder, she sensed that these Dogras wanted to kill all members of the royal family and seize the crown and kingdom of Punjab. She reached self-determination to save the Punjab rule from Dogra control under any circumstances. How could this be accomplished? This wasn't an easy task. The real strength of Punjab, at this time rested with Dogra Raja Dhayan Singh. The commander-in-chief of the armed forces was his brother, Raja Suchaet Singh, and Dhayan Singh wanted to position Raja Sher Singh as the ruler, only to be quickly turned into a sacrificial lamb. The Dogras wanted to dispose of Maharani Chand Kaur like removing a hair from butter.
Under such dangerous circumstances, with her husband and son both murdered, no woman can maintain her senses. But Shere-Punjabs daughter-in-law, Maharani Chand Kaur, wasn't any ordinary woman. She was brave like men, fearless like men, strong-willed like men and intelligent like men as well similarly politically astute. She decided to take control of Punjab. On one hand, Raja Dhayan Singh wanted to turn Raja Sher Singh into his puppet by crowning him to the Punjab throne. While on the other hand, Maharani Chand Kaur wanted to take control and obliterate the evil schemes of Dogras. Unfortunately, she seemed to be no match for the cunning political Raja Dhayan Singh. The prevalent opinion was that in comparison to Raja Dhayan Singh, she would simply show her face and Raja Sher Singh will be crowned the next ruler. Soon, he too will become the casualty of Dogra storm. For once Maharani Chand Kaurs strategy proved this prevalent thoughts incorrect?
Maharani Chand Kaur decided to face the Dogra onslaught without any help. After Maharaja Naunihal's cremation, she summoned a meeting of Sandhawaliay, Majithiay, Atari walay, and all other trustworthy Sardars of Shere-Punjab, at her palace. At the meeting she gave a painful and heart-moving speech. She said "You are well-aware of the way you have selflessly worked with Singh Sahib in establishing this rule at the risk of your lives. Furthermore you are well-aware of whatever is happening for its' destruction. Your saintly Maharaja Khadak Singh was imprisoned and poisoned to death. The pillar of your wishes and expectation, Maharaja Naunihal, was killed like a lamb. Still, the Dogras bloody thirst hasnt quenched. No doubts remain about Dogra intentions from this bloodshed. The trustworthy Sardars of Shere-Punjab! Now is the time for you to decide what you are going to do to sustain this rule? What are your obligations for the protection of Shere-Punjab's family, wealth and honor?"
Maharani's speech continued to have a moving influence among the entire participant Sardars. Maharani was painting the true picture of Punjab Rajs destruction while compelling them into preparations to fulfill their obligations. Maharani's speech wasn't concluded yet when she said. Brothers and elders! You are well aware of the schemes that this Raja Dhayan Singh is deploying to capture Punjab's crown and kingdom, after my son and husband's murder. Poor Raja Sher Singh is deeply entangled in this Dogra scheme. I can sense that just like his brother and nephew, he too will be the target of Dogra scheme. For his protection and that of the kingdom, there is an urgent need for you all to jump into the battlefield, oh brave men! Today your country is in danger. Your honor is in danger. All I can say is that Raja Dhayan Singh is secretly colluding with the British for division of your kingdom."
With Maharani's speech, the truth started dancing in front of the Sardars. Painful circumstances were being described in such painful manor that the Sardars were deeply moved with tears rolled down their cheeks. On the other hand, Maharanis eyes were filled with tears as well.
Everyone affirmed and took the oath of their allegiance to Maharani Chand Kaur. Now the question arose as to who should be the next ruler?
Maharani Chand Kaur said, "To rule, Brothers! I have no desire for reign. What am I going to do with reign after my husband and son's dead? However, I can never forget my obligations towards Punjab. For the sake of its independence and honor, I shall consider myself blessed if I too had to sacrifice my life like my husband and my son. Punjab's honor and freedom can only be sustained by saving it from the Dogra storm. And this can only be stopped if the person crowned can understand and sense the Dogra schemes. I have no son or grandson. If I am crowned today, tomorrow someone else will have to assume control. Even understanding this ill fate, I can never forget my obligation to reign. I expect you, my brothers, to protect the sovereign rights of my family.
I do see a sign of expectation. My daughter-in-law is pregnant. There is no shortage in VaahGurus house. God willing, the inheritor of this kingdom may be born in my son Naunihal's house. Until then the kingdom should be secured and together we can come out of these dangers."
The atmosphere had taken such a turn that everywhere the hatred waves flourished against the Dogra storms. Everyone was convinced that the Dogras were not only murderers of Maharaja Khadak Singh and Naunihal but had intentions to kill all members of the royal family. They were further convinced that it was every loyal Sardar's obligation to protect Shere-Punjab's honor and family and to rescue Punjab's freedom and honor from the Dogra clutches. Anonymous decision was taken to secure the kingdom for the next inheritor, son of Maharaja Naunihal Singh. It was further decided that Maharani Chand Kaur would rule in capacity of a custodian and trustee. Everyone pledged their continued allegiance to Maharani.
Raja Dhayan Singh's schemes miserably failed against a distressed woman. His carefully constructed plot simply scattered away. His hopes turned into distress. All Sardars anonymously decided to side with Maharani Chand Kaur and against him. He left for Jammu, grinding his teeth in disappointment while Raja Sher Singh returned to Batala. Maharani Chand Kaur started ruling in the name of her yet-to-be-born grandson. Now Dogra strength wasn't the same as before.
What happened next? That is a painful chapter. Raja Dhayan Singh couldn't tolerate his defeat against a woman and he instigated such evil plots that our pen cannot muster enough strength to describe. Maharani Chand Kaur understood and adequate addressed all these plots. However, finally her policies were helpless against internal dissension. Raja Sher Singh attacked with the help of the Dogras. Raja Dhayan Singh was helping him outside while inside Maharani Chand Kaurs fort, his brother, Gulab Singh, was betraying her trust. Maharani Chand Kaur could fight but with whom? She thought it unwise to continue fighting with her father-in-law's son. She was well aware of the resulting impact of internal dissension. As such she thought it prudent to reach an agreement with Maharaja Sher Singh. Accepting a pension, she willingly relinquished her control. She was all too well aware that Sher Singh was entangled in Dogra-web and this game's end wouldn't be pleasant. But what could she do? She was uttery helpless. She could do nothing. She willingly relinquished herself from the reign saying, "Sher Singh is no foreigner. If he reigns or I do so what? What is important is to save him from the Dogra storm." She had expected that after the agreement shewould be able to alert Maharaja Sher Singh of Raja Dhayan Singhs schemes. For this reason when there were suggestions of marriage between her and Maharaja Sher Singh, she promptly agreed. Since Maharaja Sher Singh was full entangled and under the influence of Dhayan Singh this could not materialize.
On the other hand, Raja Dhayan Singh sensed extreme danger from Maharani Chand Kaur. After all Maharani Chand Kaur was the very first one to understand his schemes, first to successfully render them useless, and first to think far-sightedly. Maharaja Sher Singh, after consultation, gave her pension and sent her to Jammu. Gulab Singh was given the custody of her wealth. But she had no need for this wealth now. All she was concerned about was Maharaja Sher Singh's safety from the Dogras and Punjab's freedom and honor. Although she was now living away from Lahore, her thoughts and focus still remained behind. She sent numerous messages asking Maharaja Sher Singh to be careful of Raja Dhayan Singh. She told him that "be cautious of him. He is a undercover snake."
Raja Dhayan Singh got further scared from such zeal.Interactions among Maharaja Sher Singh and Maharani Chand Kaur were persistent through letters. It even seemed plausible that Sher Singh would summon her to Lahore. Clearly, the Dogras wouldn't be safe if she arrived in Lahore. Raja Dhayan Singh, having failed once against her skillful efforts, was well aware of this fact. So he decided to eliminate this throne forever and ordered her servants to stone her to death while she was asleep.
Maharani was squirming in the pain from her wounds, when Raja Dhayan Singh entered the room. He said, "Maharani Ji, do you have any wish?"
Brave Maharani turned around to face him. Her pale face immediately turned red in anger as she responded, "Why not, I do have a wish. Just as my husband and son died of thirst at your hand, I wish you the same fate." Saying this she turned away and took her last breath. With this her brave soul departed from this world.
Daughter-in-law of Shere-Punjab, Maharani of Maharaja Khadak Singh, and mother of Maharaja Naunihal Singh, Maharani Chand Kaur eventually became the target of Dogra storm just like her husband and son. Her intelligence and strategy were hostile to her life. The Dogra storm didn't end even after her death. The fearful eventually happened. Because of the Dogras, Sikh Raj's sun was quenched forever. The far-sighted Maharani's premonitions came true, word for word. Her final curse for Raja Dhayan Singh also came true. He was murdered only a year afterwards, at the hand of Sandhwaliya Sardars. His evil spirit yearning for a drop of water to quench his thirst departed for the hell.