Bikramájít, after the capture of Tárágarh and the flight of the rebel chief, marched towards the fort of Núrpúr, where he deter­mined upon staying for some days, and then to move from that place with his mighty army, and make at once all the neighḅouring places his prey. He soon conquered the forts of Hárá, Pahárí, Thathá, Pakrotá, Súr, and Jawálí, which all lay in the vicinity of Núrpúr, surrounded with jungle, and were all very strong. Having so far succeeded in his undertaking, he determined now to seize Súraj Mal, and take the fort of Kángrá. While he was engaged in making preparations for this purpose, Mádhú Sing, brother of Súraj Mal, taking advantage of the opportunity, raised a rebellion in the same territory; but, through fear of Rájá Bikramájít, he chose to secure himself within the fort of Kotila, between Kángrá and Núrpúr. It is bounded on three sides by a large river; and on the land side, which was as dark and narrow as his own under­standing, he fortified it with cannon blazing like the firmament of fire. The prudence of Rájá Bikramájít did not permit of his leaving behind him this new rebel unpunished. With all haste, therefore, he marched towards him, and having reached the place, suddenly laid siege to the fort. The enemy offered a bold resistance, but at last was defeated; and, after much bloodshed, the fort fell into the hands of the royalists. In short, Rájá Bikramájít, having wrested the whole territory from Súraj Mal and his agents, made himself master of it on the part of the Emperor. He removed all the rebel's officers from their different posts, and established his own thánás. He gave several parganas to the servants of the throne as jágírs. The unfortunate Súraj Mal, being properly punished for his insolence and rebellious conduct, and having suffered great loss, reflected now upon his conduct with regret. In a short space of time, so many strong forts had been easily taken, a large number of people had been slain, and many men had been taken prisoners. Being entirely humbled to the dust, and overwhelmed by sorrow and remorse, he was seized by a fatal disease, and soon after died in the fort of the Rájá of Chambá; who, after the rebel's death, wisely saw his safety in acknowledging obedience to the throne. With this conviction he sued Rájá Bikramájít for peace; and, having succeeded in gaining his favour, craved him to obtain the Emperor's forgiveness for his past misconduct. Rájá Bikramájít called upon him to surrender all the property of Súraj Mal, and to make the most unconditional offer of surrender. The Rájá of Chambá accordingly made over the whole property of Súraj Mal, and Bikramájít despatched all the prize property, under a strong escort, to the Emperor; which, besides other valuables, consisted of fourteen large elephants, and 200 Arab and Turkish horses. Having thus got rid of the rebels, he now proceeded to the conquest of Kángrá.

Immediately on his approaching the fort, he surrounded it with his troops; and although his religion was calculated to make him revolt from such a proceeding, yet, for the sake of his master, he used all his exertions to conquer it. He acted contrary to his creed, of which he was a most devoted adherent, rather than become guilty of disloyalty and ingratitude, and considered the service of his master equal to the service of God; for in this fort there was a temple of Debí, who is one of the greatest goddesses of the Hindús, and to worship which idol people resorted to this place in great numbers from the remotest parts of the country. Rájá Bikramájít was one of the most faithful and obedient servants of the throne. He was attached to the Emperor's interests to such a degree that in pro­moting them he would fear no danger, and there was nothing too difficult to be surmounted by his bold and daring spirit. Although his ancestors did not possess the title of Rájá, and hereditary honours did not, therefore, inspire any confidence in his character, yet by his own meritorious services he obtained the title of Bikramájít, and the mansab or rank of a commander of 5000 horse. Entire power was placed in his hands in the execution of the present com­mand. Indeed, the advantages of obedience and gratitude to a master are incalculably numerous and infinitely great. In short, Bikramájít, having surrounded the fort, ordered intrenchments to be made, and mines to be dug in their proper places. Each officer was appointed to a certain service, and he himself remained to superintend the whole. He led on several gallant attacks upon the fort. The warriors of the royal army fought very bravely with the enemy, and the Rájpúts displayed astonishing feats of valour. The besiegers at last effected a breach in the walls, and forced a passage into the fort. A most sanguinary contest ensued. The brave soldiers of the royal army shot a great number of their opponents with their arrows, and like lightning opened a dreadful fire on them. The warriors fought so boldly that they rivalled the celebrated Sám and Narímán in feats of chivalry; and the musketeers threw such a shower of balls that the heavens appeared to have hid themselves under the veil of clouds. The whole atmosphere was filled with the smoke of the guns. The arrows of the archers made so many holes in the shields of their antagonists that they resembled the hives of bees; and the breasts of the fighters, from the wounds they received, became as hollow as the scales of a balance. The nooses which the besiegers threw towards the enemy were so strong that they might have drawn down the milky way in the heavens. The musket-balls, which fell at a very great distance and with much velocity, exceeded in number the drops of rain, and the noise of the drums drowned that of thunder. The shouts of triumph and the sounds of the musical instruments reached the heavenly regions, and confounded Jupiter in the fifth heaven. At last the opponents, being entirely defeated, found their safety in flight. Although they had made a vigorous resistance, and showed much intrepidity and courage in defending themselves, yet the brave warriors advanced to the attack with such great impetuosity, and their ardour and zeal were so unremitting, that towards the close of day the gale of victory blew upon the royal standards, and a complete overthrow was given to the enemy, whom their mighty hand compelled to surrender the keys of the fort. Rájá Bikramájít triumphantly entered the fort, appointed trustworthy officers to protect the property which might be found there, and placed 'ámils at different stations where they were re­quired. After this signal victory, he made the whole army happy by offering them his thanks, praising them for their valorous deeds, and rewarding every man with goods and cash according to his rank and deserts. He also increased the mansabs of those warriors who distinguished themselves in battle. He took possession of all the treasures which had been amassed by the Rájás of that place from ancient times. From these riches he distributed rewards to the nobles and officers of the army, and what remained, after all the expenses, he sent to the Emperor, with a report on the victory which was thus achieved. His Majesty, on receiving the informa­tion of this conquest, offered thanks to the great Creator of the Universe, and distributed a large sum in alms among the poor and the needy.

(Having given an account of the conquest of Kángrá, the writer, agreeably to what he before promised, now gives a description of its fort.)

The fort of Kángrá is very lofty, and stands on a very high hill, Its buildings are very beautiful. It is so old that no one can tell at what period it was built. This fort is very strong; insomuch that no king was ever able to take it; and it is unanimously declared by all persons acquainted with the history of the ancient Rájás, that from the beginning up to this time, it has always remained in pos­session of one and the same family. The fact is also confirmed by the histories of the Muhammadan Kings who have reigned in this country. From A.H. 720, or the commencement of Sultán Ghiyásu-d dín's power, to the year 963, when the Emperor Akbar became master of the whole country of Hindústán, the fort has been besieged no less than fifty-two times by the most powerful kings and rulers, but no one has been able to take it. Fíroz, who was one of the greatest kings of Delhí, once laid siege to this fort, but it baffled all his efforts; for at last he was contented with having an interview with its Rájá, and was obliged to return unsuccessful. In the reign of the Emperor Akbar, one of his greatest nobles, Hasan Kulí Khán Turkomán, entitled Khán-i Jahán, Governor of the Province of Bengal, attacked this fort, at the head of a numerous army, after he was appointed to the government of the Panjáb; but, notwithstanding a long siege, he also failed in taking it. To be successful in such a great and difficult task was beyond all expecta­tion; but Providence has destined a time for all works, at which they must be accomplished; and hence it was that that Emperor, notwith­standing all his efforts, could not obtain its possession. It was destined to fall into the hands of the mighty army of the Emperor Jahángír, under the influence of whose prosperous star all difficul­ties were overcome, and all obstacles removed.