906 A few Notes on the subject of [No. 155. 



The years between 1764 and 1775 a.d. formed a period of trou- 

 ble and distress in Kumaon, which, however, has its parallel in every 

 native state, and the natural consequences of which were the final 

 foreign invasion which took place 16 years afterwards in 1791, and the 

 intermediate visitations of mercenary troops brought into the province 

 by the partizans of the several factions. A summary of events for 

 this period exists in the Agent's office at Almorah, and is contained in 

 a report dated 20th October, 1814, by Mr. W. Fraser, who appears 

 to have received his chief information from Hurruck-deb Joshee. 

 The following extract is made from the report,* explaining, quite suf- 

 ficently for the present purpose, the revolutions of that period within 

 the hills. 



Extract. 



" The eldest son of Seebdeo Joshee, Jyekishen, succeeded him 

 " in his office and situation as prime minister and viceroy, in which 

 " place he continued for two years and a half, when a son was born to 

 " Deep-Chund the Rajah. On this event the mother of the boy con- 

 ** sidering that in consequence of having a son, she had some claim on 

 " the regency, intrigued with Hafiz Rehmut Khan of Rampoor, 

 " through Jodha Sing of Kuthere, to whose son the daughter of the 

 " Rajah was betrothed, and who was a favourite servant of Hafiz 

 " Rehmut Khan, to set aside the authority and viceroyalty of Jyekishen, 

 " who retaining his office, should obey the command of the Rannee. 

 u Through the interest of Jodha Sing, Hafiz Rehmut wa3 prevailed 

 " upon to speak to Jyekishen, and he in disgust and disappointment 

 " resigned all his situations and retired from the government. The 

 " Rannee then bestowed the situation of Bukshee, or head of the 

 "army upon Mohun Sing, the post of prime minister upon Kishen 

 " Sing, the Rajah's bastard brother, and the viceroyalty on Purmanund, 

 " a paramour of her own. Jodha Sing gained the management of 

 " Casheepoor, a large Pergunna. About a year after this, the Rannee 

 "deprived Mohun Sing of his appointment and insignia of his office, 

 " bestowing them upon her favourite paramour. Mohun Sing fled to 

 " the Rohillas, and through the assistance of Doondee Khan of Bis- 



* Evidently a translation. 



