1 A. D. 1778. MAHA SINGH'S FIRST ENTERPPIZE. 41
2 were deterred by this example, and the momeDt appearing
3 favorable, the nnptials of Maha Singh were celebrated
4 in 1776, with the daughter of Gi JPLT Singh, of Jeend,
5 to whom he had previously been betrothed, Jy Singh
6 and a large armed force of Sookurchukea and Ghunee
7 Sikhs crossed the Sutlej with the Burat to Badrookh,
8 where the young chief was met by his bride ; and a large
9 concourse of Sirdars of the nation did honor to the cere-
10 mony, it being with them obligatory to give attendance
11 on such occasions, and the omission being looked upon
12 as a slight and a wide deviation from propriety.
13 Maha Singh is next heard of as the associate of Jy
14 Singh in an enterprize for the capture of Rusool-Xugur,
15 now called Ram-Xugur by tlie Sikhs, situated on the
16 east bank of the Chunab, and held by a Jat Moosulman,
17 named Peer Mohummed, who was at the head of the
18 ancient tribe of Chutta, styled sometimes Miinchureea,
19 from a considerable town in their occupation, and many of
20 whom have embraced the religion of the Koran. The
21 pretext for this attack was, that the tribe had given up to
22 the Bhuiiffee Misiil a large piece of ordnance, left behind
23 by the Abdalee Shah, and placed with them in deposit,
24 from inability to cross it over the Chunab. This o-un was
25 of much celebrity, and is now known as the Bhungee
26 Top : it was claimed for the Khaha or Sikh nation at
27 large, to be appropriated by an assembly of chiefs. Rusool
28 Nugur was besieged and blockaded for four months, and
29 the Bhungee Sikhs being employed at the time in plunder-
30 ing and seeking possessions, or in levying tribute in the
31 Mooltan and Buhawulpoor districts, neglected to aflbrd
32 succour or relief. The place consequently fell to Maha
33 Singh, who acquired great reputation by this early feat
34 r