1 A. D. 1764. AND LABOR. 27
2 Sikb, to pull down three bricks from any standing wall of
3 Sirhind, and convey them to the Satlej or Jumna to be
4 cast there into the river.
5 The audacity of this enterprize recalled Ahmed Shah
6 to Labor, he re-appeared there in January 17G4, being
7 his seventh invasion of Hindoostan. His arrival was the
8 signal for the Sikhs to disperse and seek refuge in the
9 deserts west and south of Puteeala and Nabah. Raja
10 Ala Singh, of the former place, had obtained the ruins
11 of Sirhind from the Joomla chief, Bhaee Boodha
12 Singh, to whom the town had been assigned by unani-
13 mous vote of the chiefs who made the capture, the Raja
14 giving him a few productive villages in exchange. By
15 the influence of the minister. Shah Wi lee Khan, he
16 obtained from the Shah a confirmation of his tenure. The
17 disorders which prevailed were matter of deep regret to
18 the Abdalee, but the means or time was wanting for their
19 effectual cure, and he retraced his steps to Kabool,
20 without having done anything for the punishment or
21 suppression of the Sikhs. He was no sooner gone, than
22 they collected again, and ventured to attack Labor.
23 Kabulee Ml l was compelled to fly, and the city being
24 mastered, was parcelled out by the captors in three divi-
25 sions, which were assigned respectively to Lehna Singh,
26 GoojUR Singh, and Sobha. Ahmed Shah returned
27 to punish this outrage, and advanced as far as the Sutlej,
28 the Sikhs flying before him to the deserts south of the
29 Ingraon, and no enemy appearing on whom he could
30 wreak his vengeance. On his arrival at the Sutlej, Umur
31 Singh, the grandson of Raja Ala Singh, then recent-
32 ly deceased, waited upon him, and received investi-
33 ture with the title of Muha-Raja-Rajugan-Muhindnr
34 D 2