liJ.'iV bUl \f m rD'';! i^^i i4|r^i j»irTi ifei lAJlil 1^ ** .M %a3AiNii-3WV^ y/Mm.ucin..v\H ^'^AavaaiH^'^ -^ouonv-soi^^ '^''' -n <-) Q u_ /rui A ii'n T\V' ^ii» OF'CAIIFO/ ^FCAllfOff.f Vip '^'Iffilf^siij^ ■^/^SJAINfllWV^ .^ P /^ /T— - :- -• >^ 'Y^ ^-^^ ^.ni._= > !r> _^=r^^i .^Wl=:5 i Or-S ^11(7 Or- .;Ari!ERARYr. TAiiFnr. «|p< *lf^ r r i I r r /-I r I i^Vj %OJllVJjU'- "dUJIiVJiU- ^IHNVSOl^ "^aMIND-JVW^ '/iajAiNiij w U^ Ull THE HISTORY OF THE REIGN OF SHAH-AULUM, THE PRESENT EMPEROR OF HINDOSTAUN. CO NTAINING THE TRANSACTIONS OF THE COURT OF DELHI, AND THE NEIGHBOURING STATES, DURING A PERIOD OF THIRTY-SIX YEARS: INTERSPERSED WITH GEOGRAPHICAL AND TOPOGRAPHICAL OBSERVATIONS ON SEVERAL OF THE PRINCIPAL CITIES OF HINDOSTAUN. WITH AN APPENDIX, CONTAINING THE FOLLOWING TRACTS, VIZ. I. An Account of Modern Delhi. II. A Narrative of the late Revolution at Ram- pore, in Rohilcund, in 1794. in. Tranflation of a Letter, written in the Per- fian Language, from the Prince Mirza Juiuaun . Bukht Jehaundar Shah, elded Son of the King of Delhi, to his Majcfty George the Tliird, King of Great Britain, in the 7ear 1785 : with a Copy of the Original. IV. Tranflation in Verfe of an Elegy, written by the King of Delhi after the Lofs of his Sight. BY W. J^ R A N C K L I N, Captain in the Honourable Eaft-India Company's Service. Bengal Eftabli(hment ; Member of the Afiatic Society; and Author of a Tour to Perfia. LONDON: Printul for the Author, by Cooper and Graham ; And fold by R. Faulofr, Bond Street; J. Hatchard, Piccadilly; F. and C. RiviNC- TONS, Sr. Paul's Church Yard; T. Harding, Pall-Mall; and T. Cadell, jun. and W. Davies, in the Strand. 1798. [; but without effecl. At length the vi^ir fok u. iy /"wearing u^c; the Koran, to attempt nothing againfl his life and j>Lrfon, he fub- mitted and came back to the city, A houfe without the walls of the palace was allotted him for his prcfcnt rcfidence ; and the vizir frequently folicited him to go and dwell in the palace with his father and the reft of the royal family. But the prince, know- ing that the vizir fought only to get him into his power, evaded the fnare by various pretences. This artifice failing, the vizir had recourfe to violence, and one morning by day break the prince fuddenly found himfelf furrounded by an armed force. With the few attendants and guards which were about his perfon he flood upon his defence, and repulfed the firfl: attacks ; after which the aflailants furrounded the palace, waiting either frcfli orders, or fuccour from the vizir. The prince feeing no hopes but in flight, found means to gain over Mehdee Coollce Cawn, who guarded one of the avenues to his palace; and fighting his way through the" other • The prcfcnc Emperor A.D. I759-] SHAH-AULUM. 9 guards, made his efcape out of the city. Eetal Row, a Marhatta general, lay encamped on the oppofite banks of the river Jumna. To him the prince fled for proted:ion, and was kindly received, Eetal Row fwearing by the water of the Ganges not to betray him, or deliver him up to the vizir. The Marhatta continued faithful to his engagements j and not- withftanding the repeated felicitations of the vizir, kept the prince in his camp five or fix months. At length, fearing either a rupture with the vizir, or that he might attempt to furprife the prince whilfi he remained fo near, he perfuaded him to return to Jedgcr. The prince faw the neceffity of taking fuch a ftep, and confented. He was accordingly conducted by a fi:rong efcort from the Marhatta to that country. Here he continued a few months ; but not judging himfelf fafe in fuch a fituation, he accepted of an invitation from Nejeeb Cawn, and repaired to him at Sehaurunpore. Nejeeb Cawn allotted him a monthly income of 50,000 rupees for his expencesj and treated him with all the rcfpedt which his birth, and the fimilarity of their fortunes, naturally de- manded from him. He had not forgot the injury which he fuffered from Gazooddecn Cawn; and thought he had now a favourable opportunity to refent it. He accordingly fent letters to Seyed Oolla Cawn, Hafiz Rahmut Cawn, Doondee Cawn, and the other Ro- hilla chiefs, to Rajah Soorujmul, the chief of the Jauts, and Sujaa o Dowla ; inviting them to join him in redrefiing the caufe of the injured prince, and freeing the king from the tyranny of the vizir; but the dread of the Marhattas obliged them to decline engaging in c • 10 HISTORY OF [a. d. 175S. fo dangerous a fchcme. Fruftratcd in his defigns, and unable to maintain the prince any longer, or to protcdt him againft the vizir, .who was actually preparing to fend a Marhatta army againft him, .Nejeeb Cawn perfuadcd him to feck for refuge with the nabob Shu- jaa o Dowla. In confequence of this advice, the prince, after a twelvemonth's refidence with Nejeeb Cawn, took leave of him, and marched with a flendcr train to Lucnow. He was received by Shu- jaa o Dowla with the greateft honours, and prefented with elephants, horfes, tents, and all manner of neceffaries fuitable to his ftate, with a prefent (a nezeranna) of 3 lacks of rupees. The power of the vizir was too firmly eftabliflied, and the Marhatta name too formi- dable, to admit of the nabob's aflifting the prince openly, unfup- ported as he muft be by any other power. To entertain him at his court could anfwer no end, and muft neceffarily draw upon himfelf the refentmcnt of the vizir. All the fervice he could afford iiim was to fupport him privately, and wait a fitter opportunity to ad: more publickly in his favour. The beft expedient, therefore, that immediately occurred, and which promifed the fureft fuccefs, was to attempt the conqueft of Bengal. All appearances concurred to favour fuch a defign. The province of Bahar belonged to him as the lawful Subahdar, a prefcriptive right of the eldeft fon of the king. Jaffer Allee Cawn, the Subahdar of Bengal, and adual governor of the three provinces of Bengal, Bahar, and Oriffa, had been raifed to that dignity by the afTiftance of the Englifh, by whofe influence alone he continued to polTefs it. His government was generally diliiked. , His behaviour had drawn on him the hatred of the greateft part of .the country. His Jcmatdars, moft of whom were once his equals,, could not bi-ook. the .diftance with which they A.D.i7iS.] SHAH-AULUM. r? were now treated, and were equally obnoxious to him from the little refpedl which they put on in their behaviour to him. The Seapoysy a numerous rabble, were in arrears even from the pay due to them in the time of Serajah Dowk : the Zemindars of both provinces were ready for a revolt whenever they could do it with fifety j and had already appeared in arms againft the Nabob in that of Bahar, the revenues of which were infufficient to defray its own current expences. With thefe advantages a more powerful argument yet concurred, which was, the name of the prince, and the veneration which the perfon of the heir apparent of the empire naturally drew from the fubjedis of fo dcfpotic a lliate ; and which was now heightened by his diftrefles. The conquefl: of thofe provinces being thus enfured, would facilitate the attainment of his grand objecft, the freedom of his father, and the fecurity of his own right to the fucceflion, by the acquifition of fo great a revenue, the increafe of his force, and the influence this fuccefs would give to his name. Every thing being concerted for effedling this cnterprife, Shujaa Dowla affifted him with a party of his own forces under the com- mand of his kinfman, Mahmud Coolly Cawn, the Subahdar of Allahabad. The prince folcmnly fwore to beftow the vizarut upon Shujaa Dowla, whenever hp came to the throne, as a reward for his loyalty, and departed. Towards the conclufion of the year 1758, the prince crofled the Currumnafla*, and entered the province of Bahar j where he was * A river which divides the province of Bahar from the Zemindarce of Benares C 2 12 HISTORY OF [a.d. 1758. foon joined by a number of malccontents, and the difbanded Sea- poys of Jaffer AUee Cawn. The fuccefs of his Hrft attempt is too well known to need a particular relation. Repulfed in his attacks upon the city of Patna, and not daring to lland the approach of Colonel Clive, whofe name, and the rapidity with which he marched tu meet the prince, already feemed to denounce his certain defeat, he retired with precipitation back to the province of Allahabad; whither it was deemed, in the then-unfettled fituation of the Na- bob's affairs, imprudent to follow him, as a rupture in that cafe muft unavoidably have enfued with Shujaa Dowla. After this dif- appointment, he made a propofal of throwing himfelf upon the proted;ion of the Englifli ; which was rejedled. He therefore re- mained at Mukkunpoor, on the borders of the province of Alla- habad, foifiken by mofl: of his followers, and waiting, without any determined plan, for what a better fortune Ihould throw in his way. Whilit the prince was purfuing his projects in Bengal, a florm broke out which threatened to overwhelm his ancient friend and pro- tedlor, Nejeeb Cawn, againft whom the vizir fent Junkoojee, the Marhatta general, with a large force. At the fame time Dettajee Toppul, another Marhatta chief, was detached againft Lahoor, which he reduced, and drove the Abdallee's Naib out of the country. — Nejeeb Cawn finding himfelf incapable of any long oppofition againft fo formidable an enemy, called his old allies, Sujaa Dowla, and the Rohilla chiefs, to his alTiftance ; and at the fame time fo- licited the Abdallee to return ; who was likewife invited by the other leaders of the fame party. A. D. 1758.] SHAH-AULUM. 13 Before his allies could join him, the Marhattas had entered his country. He met them, and gained feme inconliderable advantages over them, fufEcient however to gain time till he was ftrengthened by the jundlion of his friends, who were already on their march towards him. Junkoojee, fearing left his enemies fhould be too powerful for him, and hearing of the arrival of the Abdallee at Lahoor, fent advice to the vizir of hi^ fituation, and delired him to come to his affiflance. The vizir replied, that he was unable to obey the fummons, having no forces with him fujfficient to be of any fervice, nor money to levy others. Junkoojee immediately fent him five lacks, with which the vizir now alfemblcd his people to- gether, and prepared to take the field. Fearing to leave the king behind him at the city, and fufped:ing that he had leagued with his enemies, and indended to reftore Inte- zamo Dowla in his abfence, he delired the king to accompany him on the expedition, which he refufed ; and the vizir in confequence refolved to rid himfelf at once of his fears by putting him to death. This bloody refolution being taken, he affedted to be fatisfied with the king's excufes, marched out of the city, and encamped a few cofe beyond it ; where he waited the execution of his plot, which was effeded in the following manner : Balkbaffrow, an emiflary of the vizir, went to the king, and in- formed him that a fakeer of great fundlity had taken up his quarters at the tower of Feroz Shah; and partly by perfuafion, and partly by force, carried the deluded king to fee him, and in the way caufed him to be murdered. The vizir having thus accomplilhed liis cxc- I 14 HISTORY OF • [aI u. i-[c;cj: crable clcfign, ordered the palace to be plundered, and the fons and relations of the deceafed monarch to be ft ripped of all their jewels, which were converted into money for his urgent neceflities. Mehdee CoUce Cawn and Coja BufTent were left with the charge of the kella, Qr fort. The former, by the directions of his maftcr, took a grandfon of Cambukfh, the youngcll fon of Aurengzeeb, out of the palace, and proclaimed him king, by the name of Shahjehan the Second.. Tiic vizir now proceeded towards Junkoojee, and joined him about tlie fame time that Nejeeb Cawn's Rohilla allies were arrived to his afTiftancc j and Nejeeb Cawn reached the borders of Nejeeb Cawn's country, v\herc he met w ith a detachment of Marhattas that had been fent round to cut off the fupplies of provifions coming to the Rohilla camp, and put them to the rout. After this he propofed' an accommodation between the contending parties j and a negotiation enfued, which he contrived to protract till the Abdallce were ad- vanced as near as Panneeputt, \\hen the vizir was obliged to march back with precipitation to prevent their feizing the city ; and Shuja Dowla, \\iio thought his prcfence no longer neceffary, returned to his province. The vizir caufed a rtrong entrenchment to be thrown acrofs the road leading from Panneeputt to Shahjehanabad, and en- camped behind it, waiting the approach of the enemy. In the mean time Dettajee Toppul, whom the Abdallee had lately driven from Lahoor, was detached with part of the army to obftrud: the enemy's march, and fell in with the van, commanded by Jehan Cawn, by whom he was attacked, and his army routed, himfelf being flain in the fliglit. Jehan Cawn continued his march, whilll: the Abdallce, A.D. I759-] SHAH-AULUM. 15 quitting the dirccl road by the advice of Nejeeb Cawn, turned off to the left, in order to favour the jundtion of the Rohillas, who were haftening to him through the defiles of Coonjpoora. Then paffing by the vizir, he fuddcnly arrived at the capital, of which he took poffeflion without oppofition. The vizir, intimidated by this unexpected flroke, durll: not fland the enemy, but fled to Akbarabad. The Abdallee leaving Yacoob AUee Cawn to command in the city, and to put a flop to the difor- -ders committed there by his people, purfued the vizir and cut to pieces many of the Marhattas and Mogul troops in their flight. — From Akbarabad the vizir fled to the Jauts, with whom he had made j)eace a little before the entrance of the /Vbdallee. The con- quering army continued the purfuit to that city, and, taking poflx:fllon of it, halted there. The vizir and Junkoojee fent advices of the unhappy turn of their affairs to Malhar Row, and entreated him to. come to their relief; he inftantly obeyed the fummons, and marched to them. During this time the Abdallee having recruited his people, left Akbarabad, and advanced towards the enemy, who declined coming to adlion, and fliut themfelves within a ffrong fortrefs be- longing to the Jauts. Notwithfl:anding the expeded union of Malhar Row, the vizir faw that he fhould fl:ill be in little capacity of withftanding the power of the Abdallee. He, therefore, fcnt a vackeel to the Ro- hillas to dcfire their mediation with the Abdallee for obtaining a peace; and if they approved of the motion, that Hafiz Rahmut Cawn might come and fettle the conditions. The Rohillas con- 2. i6 HISTORY OF [a.d. 1758. fented, and fcnt Hafiz Rahmut Cawn to the vizir. The demands of the Abdallee were hmited to two krore * of rupees, which the vizir con fented to pay, offering to give thirty lacks upon the fpot, and affignmcnts on the country for the remainder. At this interval Malhar Row arrived, and annulled the treaty. Both armies therefore prepared to renew the war. The vizir continued in the fortrefs, and the Marhattas marched out to meet the Abdallee. — Malhar Row commanded the van of the former, Jehan Cawn led on the latter. They met the Marhattas, were defeated, and fled to Jeypore, a country of Rajepoots, governed by Raja Jeyfing ; the vizir followed. The feafon being far advanced, and the Abdallees ufed to a more northern climate, being unable to fuftain the fevere heats which now came on, the army returned to Annoopfhehr, a place on the borders of Nejeeb Cawn's territories, and not far diftant from the capital, where quarters were provided for them by Nejeeb Cawn, on the north-eaft fuic of the Jumna. On their way they befieged the fort of Sabitghcr, and took it From Annoopfhehr the Abdallee fent his Naffuckchees with letters to Alice Gowher and Shuja Dowla, offering the throne to the former, and the vizarut to the latter. They arrived firft with Shuja Dowla, who difmiffed them with letters of his own to the prince, preffing him to feize the occafion, and return to Hindoftaun. • Two million ftcriing. A.D. I759-] SHAH-AULUM. ' 17 This prince had, notwithftanding his defeat lafl: year, thought himfelf in a capacity this to renew his attempts upon the province of Bahar ; and being invited by Camgar Cawn, the Zemindar of Mey, who had lately efcaped from imprifonment, and other male- contents, advanced as far as Safferam, when he heard of his father's tragical end. He immediately caufed a throne to be made, and affumed the imperial dignity, taking upon him the name of Shah- Aulum. He wroto to all the potentates of the empire, requiring them to acknowledge his title ; and fent a khillut for the vizarut to Shuja Dov/la. That Nabob accepted of the honours conferred upon him, ftruck coins in the name of Shah-Aulum, and wrote to the Abdallee and the Rohillas in behalf of the new kinjr. 'b' Soon after the Nafllickchees arrived at the prince's camp with the letters from the Abdallee and Shuja Dowla. He returned a fuitable anfwer to the former ; and to the latter he replied , that after the re- dudlion of Bahar and Bengal, he would return to take poireffion of the throne; but that he would never depart till he had wiped off the difgrace which his honour had fufFered in thofe provinces. Shuja Dowla, who waited only to learn the prince's refolutions, as foon as he had received his anfwer, left him to profecute his de- figns on Bengal, and fet out with his forces for the camp of the Abdallee, who had fent him repeated fummons to attend him. As foon as he was near Annooplhchr, the Abdallee fent forwards his own vizir to meet him, and bring him in Hate to the camp ; where he was received as the vizir of the new king, and prefentcd in pcr- fon with, a khillut for that purpofc. 1 8 HISTORY OF [a. d. 1759. Malhar Row, after his defeat, had written to Ballajee, reprefcnting the neceffity of his coming himfelf in perfon, or fending- a large army to retrieve the Marhatta power in Hindoftaun. Ballajee was then at war with Salabut Jung, the fubahdar of Deccan, whom he had reduced to great diflirefs. But upon the news of Malhar's ill fuccefs, he accepted of a compofition from Salabut Jung, who ceded to him a confiderable part of the province of Aurungabad ; and a peace was concluded between them. Ballajee being now at liberty to purfue the war with greater vigor in Hindoftaun, raifed a vafi: army of 100,000 men, and fent it under the command of his own fon, Biffwaffrow. His illegitimate brother, Shemllieer Bahader, Sedafliewrow, Ibraheem Cawn Gar- dee, Antajee Mankefer, Appajec, Jeyajee, and Rogojee, were the principal men that attended Billwaflrovv. They proceeded diredly to the country of the Jauts, and were met by the vizir, Malhar, and the Jauts, on the banks of the river Bcea. The river Jumna, which lay between the two armies, being fvvelled to a great height by the rains, they were obliged on each fide to remain inadive. During this interval BifTwaflrow propofed to the Abdallcc a peace upon the fame conditions which were formerly made with Nadir Shah. The Abdallee rejedled thcfe offers with difdain, and on his part demanded that the Marhattas, whom he reproachfully ftiled the Zemindars of Deccan, Ihould return to their own territories, nor advance beyond the river Nerbudda, which was to be the boundary of their jurifdidion : that his own power fliould extend as far as Panneeputt and Carnal : and that the revenues of the empire Ihoijd A.D. I759-] SHAH-AULUM. ' 19 be colleCied by the officers of the crown, who fliiould duly pay the Marhattas their chout ; in the- coUedtion of which the Marhattas fhould have no concern. As neither fide would recede from their own conditions, the negotiations had no other effe. x-j-jz. aflfairs of the Aate had fallen into difordcr; he infifted therefore on his immediate execution. The king, though well convinced of (he attachment of Nujuft' Khan, was incapable of afiording him any protedlion at the prcfent juncfturc; being entiiely at the difpofal of the triumphant party, he would therefore have fallen a virtim to the malice of his enemies, had not his own refolute fpirit refcucd him. When the aforementioned ncgociation commenced, NujufFKhan, who forefaw the gathering florm, had retired prudently to his own palace i there, animated by a generous indignation at the unworthy trcatmcnt he had received, he collean Bchadur, Ghalib Jung. — In Eiiglifh thus: Leader of the armies of Hindoftaun, Splendour of the State, Ruftum of India, Sword of the Empire, Mirza Nujuff Khan viclorious in battle. t Collector of the revenues. A. D. 1773.] SHAH-AULUM. 5t fpot on the banks of the Indus, in the lower parts of the Moultan province, and accuftomed to the humble occupations of hufbandry, they were allowed to fettle themfelves peaceably in their prefent re- fideuce. In the courfe of a few years becoming numerous, they ventured to attack the caravans proceeding to Delhi with fupplies for the royal army ; and having met with unexpedled fuccefs on their firrt: attempts, at length became fo formidable as to require the pre- fcnce of the imperial troops to overawe them. Their future progrefs was inconceivably rapid ; and amid the civil wars carried on by Aurungzeeb's fucceffors, the Jauts found means to fecure a large portion of country to themfelves, in which they built forts, and accumulated great wealth. Their natural propenfity to plunder, which accompanied them in their emigration, has com- municated itfelf to their pofterity, and they are ftill a moft notorious and daring banditti. Chura Mun, one of their firfl: chiefs, was an intrepid foldier, and remarkably fortunate in his encounters with the imperial troops, who were frequently compelled to retire with precipitation before this daring tribe. In later times, Suruj Mull, who fell in an ambuf- cade a few year fince, was one of the moft refpedtable of their leaders. He, in 1756, having been dignified with the title of Ra- jah, or Prince, kept his court with great fplendour. But with his death their power, in a great meafure, expired. His eldeft fon, Nuwil Sing, who now commanded the tribe, was not equal to con- tend with the ability of Nujuff Khan ; but being a man of great perfonal courage, he determined to rifk the ifliie ; and for this pur- H 2 52 HISTORY OF [a. d. ijj:^, pofe, befides augmenting his army, he had fortified in the llrongcft manner the towns of Deig, BuUum Ghur, and other places within, his jurifdiiftion. Zulficar Al Dowla having received his inftrudlions from the king, put his iioops in motion, and marched towards the Jaiits. In his way he reduced feveral refradory Zemindars, whom the late dif- turbances at court had tempted to revolt from their allegiance. On thefe he impofed heavy fines, and by this means enriched his trea- fury to a confiderable amount. In the mean time the Jaut Rajah hearing of the fuccefs of the captain general, was fearful he might make an attack upon the fort of Deig, one of his flrongcfl holds, which, if fuccefsful, would undoubtedly put an end to the war, and prove utter deftrudlion to his affairs. To prevent this, he refolved to hazard an adlion ; and, agreeably to his determination, threw nimfelf in the way of the royal army. A fharp engagement en- fued ; but NujufF Khan's good fortune prevailing, the Jaut Rajah was totally defeated, and compelled to quit the field of battle with very few of his foldicrs. He took refuge in the fort of Deig, which he refolved to defend to the lafi: extremity. The plunder of Nuwil Sing's camp, which was immenfc, pre- vented an immediate purfuit : and Nujuff" Khan, elate with his vidlory, fent an account of it to Delhi without delay. The news of fuccefs, fo important, was received at court with the highcfl iatisfa ..... I2,ooo Tanah Sing - - . - . . 22,000 Jeffah Sing - .... - 14,000 Kurrun Sing (of Shahabad) - - - _ _ 1 2,000 Jeffah Sing (of Ramghur) .... - 12,000 Jundut Sing (of Amrit Seer) - - - _ « . 24,000 Khofal Sing (of Fuzoolah Pore) _ . - . . 22,000 Herri Sing (on the confines of Moultan) .... - 40,000 Runjet Sing (of Loch Ghur) - - - - - - ^0,000 Shahur Sing (of Pattiali), Loll Sing, Jufwaunt Sing (of Nawbeh), Gujput Sing (of Chunda), and other chiefs . - - _ 20,«oo Total 248,000 L % 76 HISTORY OF jealous of his brethren, it fcklom happens that this nation makes an united effort *. The Seiks are armed with a ipcar, fcymetar, and excellent match- lock. Their horfes are ftrong, very patient under hardihip, and undergo incredible fatigue. The men are accuflomed to charge on full gallop, on a fuddcn they ftop, difcharge their pieces with a deliberate aim, when iuddenly wheeling about, after performing three or four turns, they renew the attack. The fhock is impreffivc xvhen offered only to infantry, but againll artillery they cannot ftand. It is a fad: well known and eflablillied, that a few f.cld pieces is fuflicicnt to keep in check their moft numerous bodies. Inured from their infancy to the hardfhips of a military life, the Sciks are addidted to predatory warfare, in a manner peculiar to themfelves alone. When determined to invade a neighbouring province, they affemble at firft in fmall numbers on the frontier, when having firft demanded the raki or tribute, if it be complied with, they retire peaceably; but when this is denied, hoftilities commence, and the Seiks, in their progrefs, are accuftomed to lay wafle the country on all fides, carrying along with them as many of the inhabitants as • The alarm once excited in the Britifh government of the formidable power of this nation, might be obviated by obferving, that the difcordant and clafhing intercfts of the refpcdivc Seik chiefs prevent almoft tiic pofl"ibility of a general union ; and even if dif- pofcd to attack tliC territory of our ally, the vizir, they would be nece(rif.Ucd to keep a watchful eye over their own territories, which would be left open to invafion from the north. It is well known that Zemaun Shah, the king of Cabul, is defirous of (baring in the fertile province of Punjab, and efpecially of getting poflcffion of Lahoor, empha- tically termed the key of Hindoftaun, His late attack at the end of 1796, Is a proof uf this aflTcrtion. 2 SHAH-AULUM. 77 tliey can take prifoners, and all the cattle. The prifoncrs arc de- tained as flaves, unlefs redeemed by a pecuniary compenfation. — But though fond of plunder, tlie Seiks, in the interior parts of their country, preferve good order, and a regular government : and the cul- tivation of their lands is attended with much ailiduity. Their revenues are colle