GOKUL. 
189 
Exulting, and her tripping tide suspends. 
The triumph of her mighty sire to hail 
but it has likewise become memorable as the scene of 
an action in which the celebrated Begum Sumroo exhi- 
bited her spirit and her personal prowess, as the victo- 
rious leader of her own troops, at a moment so critical 
that, without her timely interposition and personal 
example, the indecision of the Emperor Shah Aulum 
would have terminated in the defeat and disgrace of 
his army. 
Neujif Kahn, having acted in open defiance of the 
Emperor’s authority, threw his little army of veterans 
into the fort of Gokul to avoid or resist the resentment 
of his prince. He was called upon to surrender, but 
peremptorily refused to do so, and made active prepa- 
rations for his defence. Around the little fort the re- 
bel threw up strong entrenchments sufficient for the 
protection of his whole force, and having by every 
means in his power fortified his position, he coolly 
awaited the advance of the royal army, which was very 
greatly superior in numerical strength to his own. 
Neujif Kahn had often proved himself a soldier of 
great coolness and vigilance, and diis men reposed the 
the fullest confidence in his skill and courage : they 
repulsed with astonishing vigour the attack of the royal 
army and made considerable havoc among them. 
Having been engaged in the lines all day, Neujif 
Kahn permitted his men an hour or two of repose in 
