The English.

How can I sufficiently extol the courage, generosity, and justice of the English? In bravery Rustam cannot be compared to them, because, with only 10,000 foot soldiers, they marched from Maksúdábád to 'Azímábád, fighting against the army of Kásim 'Alí Khán, consisting of 100,000 horse and foot, and never showed their backs in battle. In the same manner they engaged four times with the armies of Shujá'u-d daula and the Emperor, which amounted to more than 100,000 infantry and horse, and yet never retreated from the field. Moreover, they have fought against the Mahrattas and Gházíu-d dín Khán, and always with a similar result. Hátim Táí, who is said to have been the very model of generosity, had not perhaps such a liberal mind and magnanimous spirit as they have, because, after obtaining victory over Siráju-d daula, they gave the provinces of Bengal and 'Azímábád to Ja'far 'Alí Khán, and afterwards to Kásim 'Alí Khán, and after conquering the provinces of Oudh and Allahábád, they restored them both to Nawáb Shujá'u-d daula.* Naushír-wán is mentioned as most just and equitable, but in justice and equity the English are not inferior to him. When they entered the city of Lucknow, and other cities and towns in the provinces of Oudh and Alláhábád, as conquerors, they did not hurt there even an ant, and in no way injured or troubled any person. Notwithstanding that many turbulent and seditious characters instigated them, and pointed out to them the riches of the people, told them that certain bankers possessed great wealth, and urged that it should be exacted from them, yet these righteous people allowed no mischief to be done, but on the contrary, punished these low informers, and cautioned them against spelling such words again. They strictly ordered their soldiers to commit no act of oppression or extortion upon any individual. Mr. Hooper was long a Resident at the Court of Nawáb Shujá'u-d daula, and yet, during the period of seven or eight years he was so accredited, neither he himself nor any of his servants committed a single act of violence against any person. Monsieur Laintin (?), a Firingí, who was one of the greatest of Nawáb Shujá'u-d daula's followers, conducted himself in the same exemplary manner; and although he sent Syám Lál, his díwán, to prison at the instigation of the díwán's enemies, still he gave him no unnecessary pain. In short, the goodness of these people is beyond all bounds, and it is on account of their own and their servants' honesty that they are so fortunate and wealthy.

In the month of Jumáda-s sání, 1181 A.H. (Oct. 1767), Jawáhir Singh, son of Súraj Mal Ját, marched from Díg and Kumbher, which were his residences, to bathe in the tank of Pokhar, a great sacred place of the Hindús. It is situated near Ajmír, within the territory of Rája Mádhú Singh, son of Rája Jai Singh Kachhwáhá; and Jawáhir Singh, on reaching the boundary of the Rája's possessions, began to ravage the country and plunder the people. He overran most places in the territory. When he reached within two stages from Pokhar, he learnt that Rája Bijai Singh, son of Rája Bakht Singh Ráthor, had also come to bathe. Fearing on account of the outrages he had com­mitted on his way, he wrote to Bijai Singh that he was suspicious of Mádhú Singh, and that, if he would permit him, he would come to bathe. The Rája wrote in reply that he should come only with 2000 horse; but Jawáhir Singh, contrary to this desire, proceeded with all his forces, which consisted of about 60,000 horse, one lac of foot, and one thousand large and small guns. On the 13th of Jumáda-s sání he bathed in the tank, and having halted a few days there, returned.

The news of his outrages and plundering having reached Mádhú Singh and other Rájpút chiefs, they considered it a great insult, and contrary to custom. All the Rájpúts having assembled together, went to Mádhú Singh, ^{* *} proposing to take revenge. Mádhú Singh replied that he did not think it worthy of himself to oppose Jawáhir Singh, whose forefathers had been of the lowest dependents and creatures of his ances­tors, but that whosoever liked might go against him. Accord­ingly Dalel Singh and other Rájpúts, to the number of about 20,000 horse, and an equal body of foot soldiers, went to oppose Jawáhir Singh, who, finding it difficult to force his way, resolved to fight. A battle ensued. The Rájpúts showed such bravery and courage, that they destroyed about 20,000 horse and foot of the army of Jawáhir Singh. Many also drank the cup of death on their part. Jawáhir Singh, not being able to stand before the cruel sword of the Rájpúts, took to flight alone, and with great difficulty and pain reached Díg and Kumbher. His guns, elephants, horses, treasure, and all the furniture of pomp, fell into the hands of the Rájpúts, who, after staying a few days on the field, returned to their respective residences.

Jawáhir Singh felt great shame of this defeat, and much of the vanity and pride which he had entertained was reduced. It is said that Jawáhir Singh had made a soldier his associate and had great friendship for him. ^{* *} This soldier, having been guilty of some improper act, was disgraced. ^{* *} One day, when the Ját chief had gone hunting with only a few attendants, that soldier, taking his sword and shield, went to the place where Jawáhir Singh was standing carelessly with a few men, and struck him a blow with his sword, saying, “This is the punishment of the disgrace I have received.” In one blow there was an end of Jawáhir Singh's existence, who departed to the world of eternity in the month of Safar, 1182 A.H. (June, 1768 A.D.). He was succeeded by his brother Ratan Singh. ^{* *}

When Ratan Singh was killed by a fakír, the ministers of the State elevated his infant son, Ranjít Singh, to his place, and seated him upon the masnad of the chiefship. Nuwul Singh and Bhawání Singh, sons of Súraj Mal, but by another wife, rose in opposition, and collected an army of Mahrattas and others, to the number of about 30,000 horse, and an equal number of foot soldiers. The ministers of Ranjít called the Sikh forces from Láhore. These forces then entered the territories of the Ját, and stretched out their hands to plunder. Although the Játs opposed them, yet they did not withhold their hands. At last, the armies of Ranjít Singh, being collected, fought with the Sikhs, and drove them out of his possessions. Nuwul Singh and Bhawání Singh went with the Mahratta army towards Málwá and Ujjain. The son of Ballú Ját, who had raised a rebellion in the territory, and wished to alienate a part from it, and make himself its master, was also baffled in his schemes, and could not succeed in his object.

In the month of Safar, 1183 A.H. (June, 1769 A.D.), the town of Díg Kumbher twice caught fire, and about twelve or thirteen thousand men were burnt. No account was taken of the animals and houses which were consumed.

In the same year Tukkají Holkar, son-in-law* of Malhar Ráo, Rám Chand Ganesh and other Mahrattas proceeded with a for­midable army of one lac of horse and foot from the Dakhin, and reached the territory of Ranjít Singh. A great conflict took place between the Ját and Mahratta forces, and numerous men on both sides fell in the field. But the gale of victory blew in favour of the Mahratta army, and the Játs took refuge in the most fortified of their strongholds. The Mahratta army overran and spread devastation in the country which belonged to Ranjít Singh Ját, from Ágra to Kol and Jalesar. The Játs, having assembled their forces, prepared to oppose them, and at last peace was made between the parties. The Játs gave a contribu­tion of about forty-five lacs of rupees to the Mahrattas, and saved the country from their depredations. Being restored to their possessions, they banished the fear of the Mahrattas from their minds. Civil feuds had broken out among Nuwul Singh, Ranjít Singh, and other sons and grandsons of Súraj Mal Ját, and great disturbances took place, in consequence.