1854.] A Sketch of the Mahomedan History of Cashmere. 451 



1801,) then rising into power. On his return to Kabool the unfor- 

 tunate Zeman Shah was deserted by his nobles, seized, blind- 

 ed, and imprisoned. His Wuzzeer Wuffadar Khan, by whose 

 power he had been sustained so long, was put to death, and the 

 triumph of the Barukzyies was complete. The unfortunate Ze- 

 man Shah in his misery composed some couplets, which have 

 since passed into household words amongst his countrymen. I may 

 here remark on the singular habit of orientals, on the approach of 

 death or other misfortunes, like the fable of the dying swan, singing 

 their own elegies in doleful strains ; which are frequently gravely 

 recorded by the native historians as matters of history. To return, 

 however, to the more immediate history of Cashmere. 



A. D. 1800. — Abdoola Khan had been confined in the Bala His- 

 sar, and, as before stated, Moola Ahmed had been despatched as 

 Kaib to assume the government of Cashmere ; but on his arrival, 

 the latter was imprisoned by Attar Mahomed Khan, son of Abdoola 

 Khan ; who together with Futteh Khan Rajah of Mozafferabad, 

 were now encouraged to resistance by the news of Shah Zeman's 

 defeat and death. 



A. D. 1801. — Nissar Khan also, the commandant of the Bala 

 Hissar, released Abdoola Khan, and, following his fortunes, accom- 

 panied him to Cashmere, where he received a present of a lakh of 

 rupees (£10,000) for this service. Abdoola Khan being thus rein- 

 stated in his government, seized many of the surrounding countries, 

 enlisted soldiers, and sent no taxes to the new Emperor Mahomed 

 Shah. 



A. D. 1806. — At length that prince, being established on his 

 throne, despatched an army under Wuzzeer Shere Mahomed Khan 

 to bring Cashmere into subjection. This force was met by the 

 army of Abdoola Khan, which occupied the strongholds guarding 

 the Baramoola pass. Shere Mahomed at first entered into negotia- 

 tion, and by means of cajolery and bribes, succeeded in passing 

 Mozafferabad, and penetrating as far into the valley as Baramoola, 

 (situated at the gorge of the pass leading into the valley,) without 

 much opposition. The eyes of Abdoola Khan were, however, now 

 opened to the approaching danger, and he gave battle at Baramoola 

 in person. The engagement ended in his defeat, and he was forced 



3 o 2 



