Padshah-namah 50: Conquest of Tibet.
Bádsháh-náma, of 'Abdu-l Hamíd Lahorí (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) 50
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Conquest of Tibet.
50.1
The late Emperor Jahangir long entertained the design of conquering Tibet, and in the course of his reign Hashim Khan, son of Kasim Khan Mir-bahr, governor of Kashmir, under the orders of the Emperor, invaded the country with a large force of horse and foot and local zamindars. But although he entered the country, and did his best, he met with no success, and was obliged to retreat with great loss and with much difficulty. * * The Imperial order was now given that Zafar Khan, governor of Kashmir, should assemble the forces under his command, and effect the conquest of that country. Accordingly he collected nearly eight thousand horse and foot, composed of Imperial forces, men of his own, and retainers of the marzbans of his province. He marched by the difficult route of Karcha-barh, and in the course of one month he reached the district of Shkardu, the first place of importance in Tibet, and on this side of the Nilab (Indus). 'Ali Rai, father of Abdal, the present Marzban of Tibet, had built upon the summits of two high mountains two strong forts — the higher of which was called Kaharpbucha, and the other Kahchana. Each of them had a road of access "like the neck of a reed, and the curve of a talon." The road of communication between the two was on the top of the mountain. Abdal shut himself up in the fort of Kaharpbucha.
50.2
He placed his minister and general manager in the fort of Kahchana, and he sent his family and property to the fort of Shakar, which stands upon a high mountain on the other side of the Nilab. Zafar Khan, after examining the height and strength of the fortresses, was of opinion that it was inexpedient to invest and attack them; but he saw that the military and the peasantry of Tibet were much distressed by the harsh rule of Abdal, and he resolved to win them over by kindness. Then he sent a detachment to subdue the fort of Shakar, and to make prisoners of the family of Abdal. The whole time which the army could keep the field in this country was two months; for if it remained longer, it would be snowed up. It was for this reason that he sent Mir Fakhru-d din, * * with four thousand men, against the fort of Shakar, while he himself watched the fort in which Abdal was. He next sent Hasan, nephew of Abdal, with some other men of Tibet, who had entered into the Imperial service, and some zamindars of Kashmir, who had friendly relations with the people of the country, to endeavour by persuasion and promises to gain over the people. * * Mir Fakhr passed over the river Nilab, and laid siege to the fort. Daulat, son of Abdal, of about fifteen years of age, was in charge of the fort. He sallied out to attack the besiegers, * * but was driven back with loss. * * The besiegers then advanced, and opened their trenches against the gate on the Shkardu side.
50.3
The son of Abdal was so frightened by these proceedings, that, regardless of his father's family (in the fort), he packed up the gold, silver, and what was portable, and escaped in the night by the Kashghar gate. Mir Fakhru-d din, being apprised of his flight, entered the fort. He could not restrain his followers from plundering; but he took charge of Abdal's family. A force was sent in pursuit of the son, which could not overtake him, but returned with some gold and silver he had thrown away on the road. On hearing of this victory, Zafar Khan pressed on the siege of Kaharphucha and Kahchana. * * The governor and garrison of the latter surrendered. * * Abdal, in despair at the progress made by the invaders, and at the loss of his wives and children, opened negociations and surrendered the fort of Kaharphucha. * * Zafar Khan was apprehensive that the snow would fall and close the passes, and that, at the instigation of Abdal, he might be attacked from the side of Kashmir. So, without making any settlement of the country, and without searching after Abdal's property, he set out on his return, taking with him Abdal, his family, and some of the leading men of the enemy. He left Muhammad Murad, Abdal's vakil, in charge of the country.