1 A. D. 1755. AHMED SHAH MARCHES TO DEHLEB. 15
2 traversed the Punjab and entered even the imperial city
3 without experiencing the smallest opposition. His
4 detachments plundered Muthra and threatened the city
5 of Agra, and the Shah having formed a matrimonial con-
6 nexion with the family of Tymoor, laid the capital under
7 heavy contribution, and confiscated to his own ase the
8 property of the grandees and principal inhabitants. His
9 cupidity being thus satisfied, he retired, leaving the
10 throne of the Moghul in the same weak hands, and
11 helpless condition in which he found it. But he seized
12 on the Punjab and Sirhind, and gave the government of
13 both provinces to his son TvMOOR, with whom he left
14 his confidential officer JuHAN" Khan and a detachment
15 of troops of no great strength, and then returned to
16 Kabool.
17 Since the death of Meek Munoo, Adeena Beg
18 Khan had assumed entire independence in his subordi-
19 nate government in the Jalundhur Dooab, and had appro-
20 priated the revenues to his personal use and in providing
21 the means of maintaining himself. One of the first acts
22 of the young Prince Tymoor was to summon this chief
23 to Labor as a dependant of his government. The wary
24 veteran however evaded prompt compliance, alleging the
25 necessity of his presence in his districts to check the
26 increasing audacity of the Sikhs who were encamped in
27 his vicinity, and, were he to desert his post, might secure
28 a permanent hold in the country. The Afghan Prince
29 not satisfied with this excuse, sent a detachment of his
30 troops to seize Adeena Beg, whereupon the latter
31 strengthened himself by association with the Sikhs, of
32 whom he took a considerable body into pay, and with
33 them retired before the Afghans into the northern