Respected and Honoured Spiritual Physician, Messiah for the World,
May Allah the Almighty be your Protector. May peace be on you. In compliance with your directive, I submit complete description of the Jubilee celebrations.
Two days, June 21st and 22nd, had been designated for the Jubilee celebrations. We scheduled all activities for the 22nd as the government directive required all activities to be concluded by that date.
The public of Maler Kotla has shown loyalty and fidelity to the government just as its great chiefs have shown loyalty and have provided its proof many times. At times they have supported the government by personally joining a battle. Now that the time of war has passed, we offer any service to the government as circumstances may require and why should we not do this, as this government has bestowed special favours upon us. The Sikhs, during the period of their rule, harassed this state greatly. If General Akhtar Loni had not come in time like a much needed cloud of mercy, this State would have gone from the hands of this family to the hands of the Sikhs. Our family is indebted to the government in every way. This relation has been strengthened because of Your Holiness. The favours of the government on our Community provided the additional incentive for us to do more than our contemporaries.
First: The nearby mosque and our residence were illuminated greatly. A house in my possession outside the town in the village of Sarwani Kote was also illuminated. All the houses were first painted white, lights were fixed in a variety of ways and the following inscription was made on one of the walls:
‘God save our Empress.’
There was more lighting at our home compared to most of the remaining city. Due to wind, the illumination could not take place on the 22nd. The whole city was illuminated on the 23rd except for elevated places due to wind.
Second: Three arches. One at the head of the street and two were erected in front of our home. The following inscriptions were written on them in gold. First, at the head of the street, ‘Congratulations on the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations.’ Second, ‘Welcome’ was written in English on the door of our house. Finally, on the third arch in front of the house was written, ‘Long Live the Empress of India.’ A trifle arch was also erected in Sarwani Kot.
Third: At six o’clock in the evening on June 22nd, the members of our Community gathered and prayers were offered in the court of God Almighty for Her Majesty, the Queen and Empress of India, her empire and her long life. We prayed that may God Almighty favour her as she has favoured us and may He include her among the believers, that is, may she benefit from the sun of Islam.
Fourth: I had notified the members of our Community that even those with the least means should illuminate not less than one hundred lights. They can get the funds from me if they cannot afford to do so themselves. I provided funds to five members and the remaining arranged illuminations themselves.
Fifth: I ordered my grantees in Sarwani Kot to arrange illuminations, to which they complied. It is such an exceptional occurrence that it probably did not happen in any other village of the state.
Sixth: On June 23rd, fireworks were launched in celebrations.
Seventh: A feast was arranged for respected friends on the evening of June 22nd.
Eighth: Grain and cash was distributed among the less affluent on the 23rd.
Ninth: There is a suggestion to establish a memorial. I will relate further after a decision has been taken in this respect.
Writer,
Muhammad Ali Khan
Maler Kotla
June 25, 1897
Note: We have made an effort to list the names of everyone. If one or two are left out, it is due to human error.
Printed at the Diyaul-Islam Press Qadian under the supervision of Hakeem Fazl-ud-Din, Press Owner. June 28,1897
1 In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful. We praise Him and send blessings on His exalted Prophet(sa). [Publisher]