Political power makes strange bed fellows. Lure of power compels the incumbents to disown their own kin and embrace the rivals. Such was the power game played by the rulers of the Cis-Sutlej states of Punjab in the beginning of 19th century. These rulers sought and perceived protection from the inimical British Colonial usurpers of India and disowned their own Maharaja Ranjit Singh who was undisputed ruler of Punjab in the trans-Sutlej area up to Afghanistan. This in nutshell the summary of this volume. The account is detailed, comprehensive and accurate to a large extent. It presents a chronological account of the moves and countermoves of the various contending powers. It is a good source of information to scholars and researchers of Sikh history.[edit]