448 A Sketch of the Mahometan History of Cashmere. [No. 5, 



Kurrum Khan, and drove him out of the country, after which he 

 sacked the city of Srinugger. Noor-ood-deen Khan (A. D. 1766,) 

 was now for the third time sent by the Emperor as the only person 

 capable of managing the country. He advanced with a considerable 

 army. Eaqueer Khunt attempted to oppose him, but finding his 

 force insufficient to face the enemy, fled to Bombah, where he died. 

 Noor-ood-deen Khan now ruled with great severity one year ; after 

 three years he was again relieved by Kurrum Khan, (A. D. 1769,) 

 who however, being a weak, timid man, was unable to control the 

 turbulent spirits of Cashmere, and fled to Jummoo ; whereupon his 

 commander-in-chief Ameer Khan Sher Jewan seized the valley on 

 bis own account, and refused to send tribute to the Emperor : to 

 strengthen his position he built the Sher Ghunie (thus named after 

 himself and not Sheregurrie or Shiahgurrie) . The island called 

 Sona Lank also owes its origin to this chief. He also sought to 

 ingratiate himself with the Hanjies or boatmen of Cashmere, 

 who are in fact sturdy fellows whose cordial support might be useful 

 to a well concerted defence of the valley. Ameer Khan seems, in 

 fact, to have altogether thrown off his allegiance to Ahmed Shah, 

 and to have maintained an independent court of his own ; which he 

 maintained until the death of Ahmed Shah Abd-allie ; that Empe- 

 ror's son, however, (A. D. 1773,) Timoor Shah, having succeeded to 

 his father's throne of Kabool, despatched Hadjie Kurreemdad Khan 

 as Nazim, backed by a large army to enforce submission. Ameer 

 Khan met him at Baramoola and a battle ensued, which ended in 

 the defeat of the latter, who fled to Kishtewar, but was seized and 

 sent to Timoor Shah, who, however, pardoned him after a short 

 time. Hadjie Kurreemdad Khan was governor of Cashmere six 

 years, and died there. (A. D. 1776,) Shocks of an earthquake 

 which lasted three months occurred during his rule. His son Asad 

 Khan succeeded to the government, (A. D. 1783,) and soon discon- 

 tinued the tribute to the Emperor. He was however a very cruel 

 ruler, on which account a conspiracy to put him to death was formed 

 against him by some of his household officers ; he was wounded in 

 the scuffle, but contrived to escape to the river, collected some 

 troops and drove the conspirators into the fort, where he besieged 

 them for seven days ; after which, endeavouring to escape, they were 



