566 Fragments of the history of Moolt an. [Nov. 



and was succeeded by his son Nuwab Mozuffur Khan. At this time 

 the Sirdars came from Mooltan with a design of plundering Shoojaabad : 

 but their purpose being defeated, they returned to Mooltan. Their army 

 however spoiled the Shoojaabad district. In consequence of this, Nuwab 

 Mozuffur Khan, in 1 19 1 H. (A. D. 1 777) came to Buhawulpoor, desiring 

 the aid of Mohummud Buhawul Khan. The Khan also received an order 

 from Tymoor Shah to expel the Singhs from Mooltan ; accordingly, tak- 

 ing the Daoodpootra chiefs and a select army, came with Nuwab Mozuf- 

 fur Khan to Mooltan, and laid siege to the city. After 23 days they 

 gained admittance within the city wall by the wicket of Sheikh Rajee 

 Goordezee on the west, and began to slaughter the Singhs and plunder 

 the residents of the city. At this time the Sirdars were staying at 

 Umritsir. The Kiladar of Mooltan, who had been placed there by the 

 Sirdars, with a force, being unable to offer opposition, retired into the 

 citadel, and sent a swift messenger with an account of the state of things, 

 to the Sirdars. The Daoodpootra chiefs had taken much spoil, and 

 without leave from the Khan had betaken themselves to their own 

 homes, when Sirdar Gunda Singh, with a large force, came with all 

 expedition from Umritsir, and engaging in battle, Buhawul Khan and 

 Mozuffur Khan retired fighting to Shoojaabad. Thence, Buhawul 

 Khan came to Buhawulpoor, and Mozuffur Khan remained in Shooja- 

 abad, sending daily accounts to Tymoor Shah, of the disturbances, and 

 the tyrannical behaviour of the followers of Nanuk. The Badshah, on 

 hearing of the overbearing conduct of the Singhs, ordered Sirdar Behroo 

 Khan, with a proper force, experienced in war, to proceed and expel 

 the Singhs from Mooltan. In 1192 H. he came to Mooltan and besieged 

 the fort. The fort was nearly being taken, but Tymoor having occa- 

 sion to be engaged in hostilities at Tooran, (the Toorkomans having 

 extended their conquests to the very gates of Khorasan), Behroo Khan 

 was recalled, and, raising the siege, he returned to Cabul. Tymoor' s 

 operations at Tooran having ceased, Sirdar Ali Muddud Khan was 

 sent with a large army to expel the Singhs from Mooltan. Tymoor 

 himself, to afford a support to the Sirdar, came to Peshawur and 

 encamped there. Ali Muddud Khan, coming with great speed to Mool- 

 tan laid siege to the fort, and reduced the inhabitants to great extre- 

 mities. It happened that a party in the Badshah' s army entertained a 

 wicked design upon his life, on the discovery of which he recalled Ali 

 Muddud Khan. 



