The rulers of Khándesh were of the Fárúkí tribe, and the family had held rule in the country for more than 200 years. An ancestor who had connexions with the Dakhin, and had served there as a soldier, being aggrieved, left that country and went to Khándesh, which country was then held by different zamíndárs and Rájás. He came to a village which pleased him, and there a dog which accompanied him set off in pursuit of a hare, but the hare turned round and attacked the dog. This unusual exhibition of courage greatly impressed him, and he thought that the land where such a sight could be seen must be fertile in courage and daring, so he resolved to take up his abode there. He expressed his wish to the zamíndár of the place, but it was refused. After­wards he seized an opportunity of seeking assistance from the King of Dehlí, and having collected some of his brethren (tribesmen?), he overpowered that zamíndár, and took posses­sion of the village. He extended his power over other villages around, and in the end he was master of several parganas, and commander of an armed force.

When he died, his authority descended to his grandson, who saw the value that a fortress would be as a place of safety for his family and dependents. Ásír, which is situated on the top of a hill, was at that time an inhabited place. He contrived by various stratagems to obtain this place from the zamíndár who held it, and fortified it strongly. He then assumed the name of ruler, and at length the whole country of Khándesh, about 150 kos in length, and 50 in breadth, more or less, came under his sway. These rulers acted so wisely and carefully that the kings of Dehlí did not interfere with them. ^{* *} Upon the Government descending to Rájá 'Alí Khán, he showed himself to be a man of great administrative powers, and it is probable that no one of the dynasty had been his equal in intelligence and ability. People of neighbouring and distant countries had been induced by his just and generous rule to take up their abode in his country. Among the best proofs of his intelligence was his loyalty to the Imperial throne, his obedience, and the magnificence of his offerings, in all which he excelled the other princes of the region.

His successor, Bahádur Khán, had none of his ability, and advice was thrown away upon him. The line was drawing to a close, and fortune had averted her face. Shaikh Faríd invested the fort, and reported the fact to the Emperor, who sent him reinforcements, and himself passed over the Nerbadda on his way to superintend the siege. On the 4th Ramazán the Nauroz-i Sultání occurred, and His Majesty halted three days to celebrate the festival. ^{* *} The march of the Imperial force was then resumed.

Letters now arrived from Nawáb 'Allámí Shaikh Abú-l Fazl, who was coming from the Dakhin with the elephants and valuable effects of the late Prince, and who announced his arrival at Burhánpúr. He had received orders to join Shaikh Faríd, and to concert measures with him for the punishment of the recusant Prince. On the 4th Farwardín the army marched, and encamped at two kos distance from the fort of Ásír, because on that side there was no ground nearer the fort which was fit for a camp. Báz Bahádur Uzbek and Karábeg were sent forward immediately to select positions for the trenches and for the en­campment of the besiegers.

On their return, they reported that they had never seen in any country a fort like this; for however long an army might press the siege, nothing but the extraordinary good fortune of the Emperor could effect its capture. Old soldiers, and men who had travelled into distant lands,—men who had seen the fortresses of Írán and Túrán, of Rúm, Europe, and of the whole habitable world, had never beheld the equal of this. It is situated on a high and strong hill, and three smaller hills, each having a fort, stand around it, like a halo round the moon. The ways of entrance and exit were difficult to dis­cover. * Near it there was no other hill commanding it, and no way of approach. All around was level ground, and there were no trees or jungle to serve as cover. All the time the country had been held by the dynasty, each prince, as he suc­ceeded, did his best to keep the place in repair, to add to its strength, or to increase its stores. It was impossible to conceive a stronger fortress, or one more amply supplied with artillery, warlike stores, and provisions. There were 500 mans of opium, Akbar-sháhí weight, in its stores. Were the fortress placed upon level ground, its reduction would be difficult; but such a hill, such a well-secured fortress, and such artillery, were not to be found in any one place on the face of the earth.