MATĀBAR SINGH, a Gurkhā general who in 1838 was deputed by the court of Nepal to Lahore to seek an alliance against the British. When Matābar Siṅgh reached Ludhiāṇā, he was detained by the British agent. However, on a representation made by the Mahārājā's government he was permitted to proceed to Lahore. The mission appears to have failed and the Rājā of Nepal confiscated Matābar Siṅgh's property worth several lakh. The Rājā made up his differences with the British government, and Matābar Siṅgh returned to Nepal in January 1843 and was appointed prime minister. In May 1845, he fell in an attack by an assassin.