1 A.D. 1809. GETS POSSESSION OF KANGRA. 77
2 the forces of the confederate hill chiefs, who were at the
3 time engaged in the attempt to cut ofFUMUR Singh's sup-
4 plies, and so compel his retirement. Umur Singh made
5 an effort to deprecate this interference, and sent to offer
6 to RuNJEET Singh, a money equivalent for Kangra.
7 The fort, however, had a value in the eye of tlie aspiring
8 Sikh, which made him regardless of the temptation offered
9 to his avarice. This stronghold has the reputation in
10 Hindoostan of being impregnable. SuNSAR Chund,
11 notwithstanding his engagement, could not reconcile it
12 to his honor to part with the fort, and evaded Runjeet
13 Singh's importunity for a Sikh garrison to be admitted
14 within its walls. In August, having proceeded in person
15 to the vicinity, and being still put oft' with excuses, the
16 Sikhs patience became exhausted. He accordingly
17 placed the Raja's son, who was in attendance with him,
18 under restraint, and having ascertained that the army of
19 Umur Singh was in great straight for supplies, and short
20 of ammunition, he directed a chosen body of Sikhs to
21 advance boldly to the gate, and demand entrance. They
22 suffered considerably in killed and wounded as they
23 ascended, but on reaching the gate were received into
24 the fort, which thus fell into the power of Runjeet
25 Singh, on the 24th of August 1809. Umur Singh
26 being foiled in his purpose, and having no desire to involve
27 himself with the Sikhs, came to an understanding with
28 Runjeet Singh, and, having secured by his connivance
29 the means of transport, retired across the Sutlej.
30 On the 31st of September, Runjeet Singh having
31 completed arrangements with the hill chiefs, and taken
32 the necessary steps to secure his possession of Kangra,
33 returned to the Jalundhur Dooab, and seized the Jageer