AHWĀL-I-DĪNĀ BEG KHĀN, Persian manuscript of unknown authorship, gives biographical details about Ādīnā Beg Khān, faujdār of Jalandhar. The manuscript forms part of the collection of Persian Manuscripts, Sir H. Elliot's Papers, Additional MS. 30780 (ff. 215-292), Extracts relating to India, vol. VIII. 1, preserved in British Library, London. Copies of the manuscript are also held by Panjab University Library, Lahore, Sikh Historical Research Department, Khālsā College, Amritsar, and Dr Gaṇḍā Siṅgh Collection at Punjabi University, Paṭiālā (25 pages in neat and clear handwriting). The last-named collection also holds an English translation of the manuscript.

        According to the author, Dīnā (Ādīnā) Beg Khān was born in a poor Arāīṅ, vegetable-growing, family in Sharakpur Paṭṭī village, near Lahore. He started his career as a sepoy exercising jurisdiction over a few villages in Lohīāṅ area near Sultānpur Lodhī for revenue collection. He, through his own prudence and astuteness and by the help of his patron, Lālā Srī Nivās Dhīr, a wealthy merchant of Sultānpur, rose, not without undergoing several ups and downs, to be the virtual ruler of the Jalandhar region. Shrewd in diplomacy and statecraft, he developed as it suited his interests friendly relations with Mughal governors, Afghān invaders, Sikh chiefs and the Marāṭhās He married only towards the close of his career, but divorced his bride as soon as he learnt that she came of a high Sayyid caste. Thus he died childless and his territories and treasure were upon his death usurped by local chieftains.

Major Gurmukh Siṅgh (Retd.)