An account of the conquest of the Mountain Fort of Nurgoonda by the brave exertions of Kumruddín Khán, and his return to the presence, with other events of the same year, A. D.— 1784.

As soon as Boorhanuddín, the Sipahsalar or com­mander-in-chief, had taken leave of the Sultán, he marched by Chituldroog and Sanoor, and joined Syud Ghuffar the Sipahdár in the vicinity of Dhar­war, and having committed the charge of his right and left wings to his bravest officers, he encamped in the vicinity of the hill fort of Nurgoonda, and apprized the mountain chief of his arrival, to take possession of that fort, and also sent word to him by messengers that if he was desirous to preserve his country and property, he should immediately quit the fort, and deliver it over to a Killadár appointed by the Sultán, and then by manifestations of regret for his misconduct enlighten the fore­head of his obedience, and by employing Boorha­nuddín’s mediation, and every influence, and setting forth his loyalty, his districts and property might be restored to him— that otherwise he might be certain he would give his life gratuitously to the lower regions.* As he Kumruddín however received a scornful and bitter answer to this propo­sition, the fire of his pride and anger flamed violently, and he marched on and encamped on a river running south-west from the mountain, but at the distance of seven or eight miles, and issued orders to the faithful Sipahdárs, that is to Syud Humíd and Syud Ghuffar to advance, and they with great bravery moved on and enclosed the mountain in a circle, and the infantry like moun­tain lions ascended and commenced the attack of the fort on all sides, and by the fire of musketry and artillery battered down the walls.

The mountain chief was however a brave man, and his troops often sallied forth and attacked the batteries, and killed many of those defending them. As an example of their courage, one night finding an opportunity, a small but brave detachment of the garrison descended from the top of the moun­tain and attacked the pickets of the Sipahsalar’s army, stationed at the foot of the mountain, so vigorously, that they killed the Bukshi, Sulábut Khán, and two hundred horse. The gallant Sipah­dárs, notwithstanding their increasing exertions to take this hill fort, still made no progress, and several assaults were made but without success. As this happened to be the period of the hot season, the want of water was felt to that degree, that water-carriers brought water from the river on which the army was encamped, on bullocks and camels to the batteries at the foot of the mountain; and on account of the distance, also, in time of need the men in the batteries could receive no succour from the army. Notwithstanding this, the expe­rienced Sipahdárs and the officers of the Ahshám, or irregular infantry, exerted themselves in the most zealous and honourable manner, and carried on the batteries to the very foot of the walls. The chief or Poligar of the fort, therefore, being alarmed for the result, despatched an account of the critical situation of his affairs to the chief of Mirch, and to the Poona authorities, and requested their aid.

The Mirch chief accordingly sent five thousand horse to his assistance. As this body of horse, however, had encamped on a river, swelled by the rains, and were waiting for a force of ten thousand horse which had been despatched from Poona also to the aid of the chief of Nurgoonda, the Sipahsalar fearing the strength of so large a force of the enemy, wrote a detailed account of their movements to the Presence. The Sultán’s ambassadors who were sta­tioned at Poona also made him acquainted with these circumstances. The Sultán, therefore, despatched orders to Kumruddín Khán, directing him to proceed with his force to the aid of the Sipah­salar Boorhanuddín to oppose the Mahratta horse, and to take the fort.