The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c18.70

v4.c18.70

A small force was also detached during the return march from Ajmer against the Rājā of Garhwāl, whose country produced gold and the musk deer. An earlier attempt in 1635 under the governor of Kāngra had ended in disaster. That force had passed through Sirmūr, occupying the Dūn or valley between the Siwālik hills and the Himālayas, and marched up the hills to within a few miles of Srīnagar, the capital of Garhwāl. A nominal submission and promise of tribute were obtained, but the force was then surrounded and cut to pieces. This second expedition, conducted with more discretion, also overran the Dūn, hunting down the peasants who fled from their homes and massacring them. Though it was joined by the Rājā of Kumāūn, a jealous enemy of Garhwāl, the commander after crossing the Ganges and entering the enemy country was deterred by the approach of the rainy season and withdrew after making provision for the administration of the small tract he had occupied. A third expedition early in 1656 caused the raja to send his son to court to offer submission.