Indian Antiquary Vol 17

Author(s): John Faithfull Fleet, Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 24

18
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
(JANUARY, 1888.
A NOTICE OF THE ZAFARNAMA-I-RANJIT SINGH OF KANHAYYA LAL.
BY E. REHATSEK.
(Continued from p. 312.) 26. His desire of subjugiting Kashmir bim the advice to retreat with his forces to having again become dominant, the Maharaja Labôr, which he was ultimately compelled to determined to attack Muhammad Azim, the adopt. They also suggested that in Lâbôr Afghan governor of it, and went against him preparations might be made for renewing the in St. 1871 (A.D. 1814] with numerous campaign if necessary, but that meanwhile the Rajas of the mountains, accompanied by their Mahârâjâ ought to send to the Afghán goverforces. He remained for some time at Sialkot, nor of Kashmir a conciliatory letter, mixed nottill he was joined by his allies, and then marched withstanding with threats, counselling him to into the mountains where also. Az Khân, the abandon the siege of Hirapûr, and to allow chief of Rajauri came to meet him, paid him the Sikh garrison to depart. This Ranjit homage, and tribute. Then Ranjit Singh Singh did, and was in a short time joined went on to Dêra Bahrim," where he encoun- by the garrison of Hîråpur, which had capitatered a force of the enemy but routed it, where- lated, and brought a friendly reply frota on it took refuge in the fort, which was besieged Muhammad Azim. The march back to Lâbôr and surrendered. Then he continued his pro- now began immediately, but the Diwan gress to Panchh, where he halted several Mohkam Chand, who had already, fallen sick days and sent an envoy to Muhammad 'Azim, in Kashmir, expired on arriving in the capital requiring him to submit, and the latter replied of the Pañjab. His loss was much deplored that he was not subject to the Maharaja, by Ranjit Singh, who appointed his two sons but to the Shah of Kábul, who had entrusted Ramdial and Motiram to succeed him as him with the government of Kashmir, which DiwÅng, and put them in charge of various he was prepared to defend, Ranjit Singh military expeditions. Disturbances were now now determined immediately to attack him, raised by the Khatak tribe of AfghÂns and by and crossing the Pir Panjal Range marched other malcontents in the districts round to Hirapur, where he found numerous Makhadoo and they besieged the small Sikh Afghan and Kashmiri forces collected, and garrison left in the fort of that name. This gave them battle. During the fight, so violent information having reached Atak, troops a fall of rain took place that it caused an marched forthwith from that place to relieve inundation, and, the cold being very intense, the garrison, but were totally defeated by the disheartened the Panjabis so much, that they Afgháns, whereon Ranjit Singh came in person were defeated; three of their high officers with his forces, dispersed the rebellious zaminbeing killed, namely, Gurú Singh, Mahesh dárs to the four winds, relieved the distressed Singh, and Dasd Singh. Whilst the battle garrison of Makhad, and conquered the district was yet raging, the treacherous 'Az Khan, again. A portion of the vanquished rebels havwho had joined the forces of Ranjit Singh ing been slain and the remnant made prisoners, only on compulsion, informed him that most the troops departed. of the troops left by him at Hirapûr had been 27. Having for a long time entertained the slain or captured. This news was false, but design of subjugating the Nawab of Multan, was believed by the Sikhs to be true, and and becoming master of the whole Paõjab, Ranjit forth with retreated in great haste to Ranjit Singh despatched an army under the Bhimbar on the frontier of Kashmir, but on command of Diwan Bhawanidas to Multán, ascertaining that 'Az Khân had made a men- who, on his arrival, pitched his camp near the dacious statement, he desired immediately city, but found the gates of it locked. The to return and subdue Muhammad Azim. The Nawab, by name Muzaffar Khan, had paid his xarılars of his Court, however, made strong tribute and nazarána regularly during several representations to the contrary, boldly giving years, but had at last fallen into poverty, and 1.6. Bahramgald, near the Pir Panjal Pass.
0 Makhad is a fort 50 miles S. of Peshawar on the left bank of the Indus.