1 A. D. 1813. SEVERITIES PRACTISED ON SHAH SHOOJA. 97
2 deprivation ; but their firmness was even proof against this
3 trial, and RuNJEET Singh, from a regard to his own
4 reputation determined to proceed with more art, and
5 ordered food to be supplied. On the first of April, there
6 were produced in his durbar two notes, purporting to be
7 from the Shah to Futeh Khan Vuzeer, and to other
8 Afghan chiefs, descriptive of his sufferings, and praying
9 for their efforts for his deliverance. These were stated
10 to have been intercepted, but were generally believed to
11 have been fabricated. It was now assumed to be indis-
12 pensable to take precautions against the intrigues and
13 machinations of the Shah, and a guard of two companies
14 of Sikhs, from the newly raised corps, being added to that
15 previously set over the premises where he resided, threats
16 of a transfer of the Shah's person to Govind-gurh, with
17 treatment of the most galling and injurious kind were
18 resorted to, in order to enforce compliance with the
19 demand for the jewel. Having tried remonstrance in
20 vain, the Shah next resorted to artifice, and solicited two
21 months' delay, to enable him to procure the diamond from
22 certain Muhajuns with whom it was asserted to be pledg-
23 ed, and he said that some lakhs of rupees must be expend-
24 ed to effect this. Runjeet Singh reluctantly consent-
25 ed to allow the time solicited, and severities were
26 accordingly suspended for a season. They were renewed,
27 however, before the period expired, and Shah Shooja,
28 wearied out by them, and seeing that the rapacity of the
29 Sikh would not hesitate even at the sacrifice of his life
30 for its gratification, agreed at last to give up the precious
31 jewel.* Accordingly, on the 1st of June, RuNJEET
32 * This diamond was one of those described by Tavernier, as adorning
33 the Peacock tlirone at Delilee. It is the largest known to exist, and is
34 by Hindoos supposed to have belonged to the Pandoos of Mythological
35 celebrity, before it fell into the hands of the Moghul Sovereigns. It i*
36 N