1879.] W. Irvine — The Bangash JSFawuhs of Farrulchdbdd. 109 



camp in the plain behind. In this plain, which was about a square Jcos in 

 extent, the shot fell like a heavy shower of hailstones. The firing lasted 

 from morning till night. Night had hardly fallen, when, as a precaution, 

 the cannon were dragged away and jflaced near the Wazir's camp. These 

 tactics were pursued for two months, without any effect having been pro- 

 duced on the Pathans. A stream of water which flowed from the hills 

 hindered the "Wazir's operations. The Rohelas had dug a channel from 

 this stream, and they led the water all round their entrenchments. Mul- 

 har Rao and Siiraj Mall Jat tried in vain every expedient to discover a 

 way of entrance. 



During this time, the Wazir's agent at the Emperor's Court had 

 written, in one of his news-letters, that spies had reported to his Majesty the 

 approach of Ahmad Shah Durrani, who was coming to the aid of his fellow- 

 clansmen, the Afghans. The Durrani had issued orders to the Afghans of the 

 hill-country to gather on the banks of the Indus and there await his arrival. 

 The letter went on to say that, when his Majesty heard this report, he be- 

 came very anxious and said to Nawab Firuz Jang, " What shall we do ? Safdar 

 Jang, with my troops and the landholders from all parts, is gone on a foolish 

 campaign, nor does it yet appear that he has either overcome Ahmad 

 Khan and the Rohelas, or that he is likely to overcome them." Firuz 

 Jaug, making a low obeisance, said his presentiments were coming to pass, 

 and he had already warned the Emperor. As Nazir Jawed Khan's advice 

 had been followed, it would be best to ask him now what should be done. 

 The Emperor admitted that this was true, yet since man was compounded 

 of error, he thought that it was not fitting for Firuz Jang to refuse to 

 give advice. Then Firuz Jang said he thought a note (shukka) should 

 be sent to inform Safdar Jang that, owing to Ahmad Shah Durrani's 

 approach, it was desirable to make peace with Ahmad Khan. He jtroposed 

 to confide the message to 'Ali Kuli Khan, the six-fingered.* Accordingly 

 'Ali Kuli Khan had, the Wakil reported, been sent to Safdar Jang with a 

 shukka from the Emperor. 



Attach by the Atitlis of JRdjah Inclar Gir. 

 The Wazir concealed this intelligence even from his greatest inti- 

 mates. Next day, he sent for Mulhar Rao, A'pa, Sendhia, Tantia-Gangadhar 

 and Siiraj Mall Jat. He said to them that, though two months had elapsed 

 they were no further advanced than on the first day, in fact, they had given 

 no assistance. Apa, Sendhia, anticipating the others, said in reply, that 

 fcney were used to fight in the open, not against entrenchments or for- 



* "Wali-ullah, p. 175, shows that this was an epithet applied to 'Ali Kuli Khan, 

 "Walih, Daghistani, for whose biography, see the " Khizana 'Amira," p. 446. 



