1 108 DEATH OF MOHKUM CHUN D DEWAN. A. D. 1814-15.
2 hills by the rainy season, and particularly pointed out
3 the necessity of providing large depots in Bhimbur and
4 Rajaoree, in anticipation of a determined opposition
5 from the Moosulmau chief, and the whole population of
6 Poonch. All had happened exactly as he predicted,
7 and the ruler of Labor returned to lament the deprivation
8 of his Dewan's experience and judgment, no less than
9 his tried skill and valour, in this important expedition.
10 The illness however which prevented him from accom-
11 panying the Sikh army increased, and in the course
12 of October, soon after the return of RuNJEET Singh
13 to Lah6r, he died amidst the regrets and lamentations
14 of all well-wishers to the power of the Sikhs, and to the
15 dominion of Run J eet Singh. In his private character
16 the Dewan was liberal, upright, and high-minded : he
17 enjoyed the confidence of the troops placed under his
18 command, and was popular and much respected amongst
19 the entire Sikh community.
20 The losses sustained by Run J eet in this expedition
21 required some time to repair. The Sikh army was not
22 therefore in a condition to take the field at the close of
23 the Dussera of 1814 as usual : but in April 1815, a
24 force was employed, under Ram Dyal and DuL
25 Singh, ravaging the Mooltan and Buhawulpoor ter-
26 ritories, and exacting tributes and contributions in that
27 neighbourhood. RuNJEET Singh himself passed the
28 hot weather at Adeena-nugur, raising and disciplining
29 new battalions ; and especially recruiting men of the
30 Goorka nation, of whose valour he began to enter-
31 tain a very high opinion, from having watched tho
32 operations, which during the season had passed in the
33 hill country east of the Sutlcj. The British Government