1 76 RUNJEET PROCEEDS INTO THE HILLS. A. D. 1809.
2 with slight wounds by seizing hold of the sword, and
3 the assassin being secured, was sentenced to be confined
4 for life at Dehlee.
5 In the above notice of occarrences east of the Sutlej,
6 the events of the Punjab have been anticipated. It is
7 now time to resume the narrative of RuNjEET Singh's
8 usurpations, and of the expeditions and enterprizes by
9 which he consolidated and extended his dominions.
10 The first operation in which the Labor army was engag-
11 ed after Mr. Metcalfe's departure in May, 1809, was
12 against Kangra, in the hills ; but before moving in that
13 direction, Runjeet Singh gave order to place the fort
14 of Feelor, on the Sutlej opposite to Loodeeana, and also
15 Govind-gurh, in Umritsur, where his treasure was, and
16 still is deposited, in the best possible condition for de-
17 fence. The walls were rebuilt, and a deep ditch, scarped
18 with masonry, was added to the works of both strong-
19 holds, which being completed, the chief moved into the
20 hills.
21 Kangra was at this time besieged by Umur Singh
22 Th^pa, the Goorkha commander, but held out against
23 him. The garrison, however, being reduced to extremity,
24 Raja Sunsar Chund tendered the place to Runjeet
25 Singh, on condition of his lending troops to raise the
26 siege, and expel the Goorkhas from the territory west
27 and north of the Sutlej. Tbe engagement was gladly
28 entered into by RuN.i eet, and on the 28th May, he arrived
29 with his army at Puthan-Kot, in the Jalundhur Turaee, a
30 possession of Jymul Giiuneea, which heseized and
31 confiscated. Thence he sent a detachment to strengthen