127 
1871.] Notes on Chutia Nagpur, Packet : mid Palamau. 
Rajah sent the vakil to express liis regret at the untoward event 
which, he said, had taken place without his knowledge and sanction, 
and tendered 50,000 Rupees as part payment of the stipulated 
peshJcash , Baud thought it advisable to advance, left Tarhasi on the 
8th Rabi’ II., [1071, or 1st December, 1660 j and pitched his camp 
at the foot of a hill, 3 kos distant from Palamau. On the 16th 
[9th December], he moved one kos nearer. The enemies then 
advanced from the fort, threw up earthworks, and occupied the 
trenches in large numbers. 
About the same time, orders came from court: the Rajah was 
to embrace Islam, pay peshkash , and remain in possession of his 
country; if he refused, David was to annihilate him, destroy the 
forts, and annex the district. His Majesty’s answer was then 
conveyed to the Rajah. Before he had replied, Tahawwiir Khan, 
on the 24th Rabi’ II, [17th December, 1660], unable to suppress his 
eagerness to fight, attacked the enemies without the knowledge and 
sanction of Daud Klian, and engaged them near their earth-works. 
David was thus obliged to push forward, and advancing within 
the reach of the enemy’s bullets, threw up earth-works and com¬ 
menced a bombardment, which was continued till sunset. The fight¬ 
ing on both sides was obstinate. Tahawwur Khan, who was nearer 
to the enemies, had 16 men killed, and 50 men and many horses 
wounded, and retreated, towards evening, at David’s orders, upon 
the centre. During the night, the enemies brought two large guns 
from the fort, placed them on the earth-works, and managed to 
kill several of our men and horses. The Rajah also sent a 
message to Daud to say that he refused to accept his Majesty’s 
conditions. The fire of the enemies did in the meantime much 
damage, directed as it was from an eminence on David’s trenches, 
which were much lower. He, therefore, occupied the hills which 
command the fort, threw up new earth-works, placed upon them, 
several guns, and commenced a well directed cannonade. 
On the 27th Rabi’ II, [20th December, 1660] the enemies 
could no longer hold their trenches, retired nearer to the fort to the 
banks of the river, and threw up new earth-works. The space 
between their position and the imperial camp being overgrown 
with jungle, David for two or three days cut down the trees, and 
17 
