Origin Of The Sikh Power In The Punjab

Henry T. Prinsep · 1834 · Public domain (published pre-1930) · archive.org ↗

1A. D. 1748. HIS FURTHER ADVANCE OPPOSED. 7

2Shah, the overgrown power, the discords and intrigues

3of the great Ameers or grandees, and the little obedi-

4ence paid to the royal authority at the capital as well

5as in the interior, had not tailed to attract his attention,

6and the confusion likely to follow the departure of the

7invading array, afforded matter of speculation for an

8ambitious man seeking where eventually to push his own

9fortune. The unparalleled success which had attended

10his first efforts in Afghanistan, and' the advantage to

11■which he, systematically turned his present means in

12laying the foundation of future grandeur, encouraged

13him to hope from what he saw and heard of the condition

14of things at Dehlee, that the time was favorable for an

15attempt to erect for himself an empire on the ruins of

16that of the house of Tymoor. Having mastered Lah6r,

17therefore, he determined on an immediate advance towards

18Dehlee, and crossing the Beah and Sutlej without oppo-

19sition, approached Sirhind. , '■ ■

20The Vuzeer Kumu r-ood-deen Khan .was. not defi- •

21cient in energy, and made preparation to meet the invader.

22Calling out the principal chiefs of Rajpootana with their

23respective quotas, he placed the kings 'eldest son' Fflnce':^/

24Ahmed in nominal command, and with this force and the

25troops at the capital took up an intrenched position at

26the village of Muuoopoor, nine miles from Sirhind. The

27Ah d alee Shah having reconnoitered the position deemed

28himself too weak to attempt a storm of the works : en-

29camping in the neighbourhood therefore, he directed his

30efforts against the supplies of the Dehlee army, and sent

31detachme0ts to : cut off convoys and, intercept', the comma-. , ■

32' ! with the capital. :• This led to continual sldr- ’ >

33^misiTes ^ and ..partial ' engagements, which ■