English: Telegram from British Burma reporting the death of Ram Singh Kuka on 29 November 1885, telegram from 8 Dec. 1885. Telegram dated 8th December 1885 from Rangoon, British Burma. Courtesy of the National Archives of India.
Text of the telegram:
TELEGRAM
Local No. 8586
From: Rangoon
To: Calcutta
Words: 65.7
Days: 8
Hrs.: 13
Min.: 52
Defd.: B.B.
To: Foreign
From: B.B.
Ram Singh Kooka State Prisoner died at Mergui of old age, Diarrhoea and general debility on the 29th noon. His remains were burnt according to Hindoo custom. Next morning his ashes were to be collected, placed in jar and deposited in river. This latter ceremony was to take place on 2nd December after the mail Steamer left. Letter follows.
CALCUTTA 8.12.85
According to Sikh historian Jaswinder Singh, the telegraph's contents claiming Ram Singh had died is contradicted by a letter written by Charles Bernard, Chief Commissioner of British Burma, on 23 August 1886, addressed to Atar Singh of Bhadaur, that "Ram Singh, Kuka, is going to be transferred to a more remote spot, where communication with him will be less easy". Furthermore, Jaswinder Singh notes "... the Jail Report Statement No. XVI — Vital, showing the deaths of convicts in the jails and subsidiary jails of British Burma, during the year 1885, does not list any death at Mergui due to 'Dysentery and Diarrhoea.' The column No. I in the proforma has been kept blank." Also, Jaswinder Singh states: "Guru Ram Singh’s so-called belongings, handed over to his brother Guru Hari Singh [after Ram Singh's supposed death], were not genuine." Jaswinder Singh concludes the following: "It can, therefore, be concluded that Guru Ram Singh did not expire; on 29th November 1885. Either he was transferred to a ‘more remote spot’ as intimated by the Chief Commissioner of British Burma, or disappeared quietly from the prison."