Padshah-namah 50.2

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.