A History of the Mahrattas v1.c20.64

v1.c20.64

Sur Boolund Khan, who had been unjustly removed from Cabul, was at this season of difficulty courted by the Emperor, and earnestly solicited to repair to his government in Guzerat, for the purpose of suppressing the formidable insurrection of Hamed Khan. The Emperor was the more urgent, as he had been disappointed in a scheme he had meditated of controlling the Tooranee Moghuls by the release of Abdoollah Khan, the elder of the Syuds who dethroned Ferokhsere; but the unprincipled courtiers sacrificed him to their envy and fear and removed him by poison. Sur Boolund Khan consented to assume the government, and every facility being afforded, as he was an excellent and popular officer, a large army was soon assembled under his command, and though delayed for a time by the Emperor’s professing his intention of accompanying him, at last proceeded on his route to Ahmedabad. Nizam Ool Moolk, aware of the abilities of his uncle’s opponent, wrote to him to resign the province with a good grace, but Hamed Khan, not choosing to follow his suggestion, prepared to defend himself. He had almost despaired of being joined by the Mahrattas, and was obliged to leave Ahmedabad defended by a weak garrison, and retire before the advanced division of Sur Boolund Khan’s army. He had only reached Mahmoodabad when he heard that the Mahrattas had crossed the Myhie, and as soon as they joined him, he returned to Ahmedabad. But a party in the city, in order to pay court to the new governor, had overpowered his troops and forced them out. Hamed Khan encamped at the Shah-i-Bagh,¹ a royal garden still in existence, on the day that Sur Boolund Khan’s advanced troops arrived at Udaledje; but as some of the gun carriages belonging to the main body had broken down, this advanced force discovered that they were farther from support than they had contemplated, and hearing of the proximity of Hamed Khan, immediately took the alarm and began to entrench themselves. This precaution encouraged the Mahrattas; and Hamed Khan, watching their humour, led them on to attack the entrenched camp, where he gained a complete victory. But the advantage was purchased with great loss, and the Mahrattas would not risk another battle. Hamed Khan therefore became like them a mere plunderer, and commenced a warfare on the Mahratta plan. Foujdars were appointed, and the usual arrangements made with more than ordinary vigour by the new governor; but Kantajee and Peelajee continued to plunder during the remainder of the season, until the approach of the rains, when they took their annual flight.¹ A deceitful calm succeeded;—the fall of the rain brought back the cheering green, and the beautiful province of Guzerat, which for hundreds of miles may vie with the finest parks of the nobles of England, was clothed in all its natural beauties by rapid verdure and luxuriant vegetation. Tranquillity seemed to reign where a short time before nothing was to be seen but perpetual skirmishing; murder and robbery in open day; caravans pillaged even when strongly escorted, and villages burning or deserted.²