1 CHAPTER SECOND*
2 A. D. 1761 to 1771.
3 Operations of the Afghans in the Punjab. The condition
4 of the Sikh associations, and the rise and exploits of
5 the principal Chiefs and Misids. The Punjab aban-
6 doned to them by the Afghans. Their proceedings for
7 the occupation of the territory.
8 Ahmed Shah made no stay in the Punjab, and troubled
9 himself little with the disorders that prevailed in its inter-
10 nal administration. The governor he left at Labor was
11 little better than the military commandant of an out-post,
12 collecting revenues and levying contributions as he could,
13 for the support of his detachment, and in aid of the gene-
14 ral resources of the Shah. The imperfect hold thus
15 retained of this territory, and the weakness of the detach-
16 ment left with the Afghan governor, Khaja Obyd, were
17 highly favorable to the Sikhs, who throve upon the dis-
18 order which prevailed ; and, in the neglect with which
19 they were treated, secured strong holds and fastnesses in
20 different parts of the country, and added greatly to their
21 • In this Chapter several facts have been added to Captain Mcrray's
22 Narrative, on the authority of the Report of Captain Wade, whose infor-
23 mation as to the origin of the family of Rixjeet Singh, will have been
24 derived from the most authentic sources.