Firishta's History (Gulshan-i Ibrāhīmī) 293.1

293.1

Hoossein, the son of the late King, is placed on the throne. — Mooltan is besieged and taken by Shah Hoossein Arghoon, and becomes a dependency of Dehly. On the death of Mahmood, one Lushkur Khan, at the head of the tribe of Lunga, deserted to Hoossein Arghoon, having previously laid waste the small villages surrounding the city of Mooltan. The rest of the army, left without leaders, sought protection in the fortress; and the ameers raised the son of the late King, although a minor, to the throne, under the name of Hoossein Lunga II. Notwithstanding the title which the boy received, he was only a pageant in the hands of his sister’s husband, Shooja-ool-Moolk, who assumed the office of protector, under the appellation of vizier; and although he had not a month’s provisions in the fort, he was so fool-hardy as to prepare to stand a siege; and Shah Hoossein Arghoon, conceiving the capture of the city as already accomplished, marched to invest it: The place had been attacked but a very short time, when provisions becoming scarce, the cavalry officers went to the protector, proposing that they might be led out against the enemy while their horses had yet strength, and adopt the only method of raising the siege. Shooja-ool-Moolk gave no answer to this proposition at the moment; but afterwards, having sent for the officers, rejected their offer, by stating that the King was not yet firmly seated on his throne;