1 A. D. 1781. AMBITIOUS VIEWS OF MAHA SINGH. 4S
2 Again, the Afghan power was still too formidable, and
3 too united, for bim to hope to aggrandize himself at the
4 expense of that nation. His restless spirit was, however,
5 not long in finding a quarter in which to pursue his
6 schemes at pleasure.
7 Raja RuNJEET Deo of Jummoo was dead, and his
8 son Brij-Raj Deo having succeeded to that Raj,
9 proved unworthy and debauched, so that discontent pre-
10 vailed in the principality, and afforded an opening for
11 interference. Maha Singh tempted by this state of
12 things, resolved to exact tribute, and enforce fealty from
13 his turband brother ; he accordingly moved with a force
14 into the hills, and Brij-Raj being in no condition for
15 resistance, fled to the Trikota-Devee mountain, a three-
16 peaked eminence, where is an UstJian or temple of Bi-
17 shun-Devoe, in which the Hindoo Devotee presents an
18 offering of cocoanuts, deemed more agreeable to the
19 benevolent goddess than the heads of goats. The town
20 of Jummoo was at this period very prosperous and rich,
21 for, iu consequence of the distractions of the Punjab,
22 many of the wealthy merchants had been induced to seek
23 an asylum, or to establish a branch-firm within the hills
24 beyond their influence. Jummoo was well situated for
25 this purpose, while under Runjeet Deo the resort of
26 this class of persons to his dominions was encouraged, and
27 they lived in ease and security. Maha Singh and his
28 Sikhs sacked the town, and ravaged the whole territory of
29 Jummoo, and he is reported to have brought away a large
30 spoil, including much specie and valuables of all kinds.
31 By this conduct Maha Singh, though he enriched
32 himself, raised also many enemies. The Bhungee Sikhs
33 F 2