Rebellion of Mohammad Yaqub Khan [‎160r] (9/174)

JULY 1868 . } ABDOOL BAHMAN’s RETREAT—INSURRECTIONS AGAINST AZIM.
51
CHAPTER IV.
From the re-ca^ture of Candahar to the restoration of Shere AH as Ameer of Afghanistan June
to September 1868.
257. On the 4th June news arrived that Maimuna, after its long siege,
which had been characterized chiefly by mining and counter-mining operations,
and after having repulsed a long continued assault, had made terms with
Abdool Rahman, the Meer paying down 25,000 tillas (£15,000), and a gun
[whether the celebrated gun Jehangeer or not, is not stated], and promising
15,000 tillas more. Ahdool Rahman’s losses during the siege had been so severe
that he was compelled to retire to Tuktapool, abandoning all idea of advancing
on Herat.
His retreat was the signal for Shere Ali to leave Herat and to join his
victorious army at Candahar.
Vehement, therefore, were the reproaches which Azim, confiding these senti
ments to third parties, cast on him for his late course of conduct. His previous
advance against, and present retreat from, Maimuna were, Azim said, equally
ill-advised! Abdool Rnliman on his part confided to those same third parties
his own conviction, that the failure in the attack on Maimuna was due to the
scanty support which he received from Azim.
258. Hrom this period the fall of Azim was rapid.
As early as the end of May, after the news of Ahdool Rahman’s first check
at Maimuna arrived, the often temporarily but never finally repressed Ursulla
Khan, practically acknowledged to he the head of the Grhilzyes, was threatening
a rising at Gurdez. The force sent against him found itself unequal to the task,
and by the end of June retired in the expectation of reinforcements, which were
accordingly sent, hut without result.
259. On the 3rd of July news too came that Lughman was up under
Ataoollah Khan j Koonur, under the partizans of Syud Mahomed, know n as
the Badsha of that place; the country about Chareckar under Abdool Kureem
Khan, who hy the end of the month read the JAhootba in Sheie Ali s name, and
closely invested Azim’s officer, Gholam Jan, in the lort.
Zukureea Khan and other Peshawuree Sirdars Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. , Bahrain Khan, Ghilzye,
and Nusroolla, the Governor of Jellalabad, were sent to retrieve matters m
Koonur, hut without success; and the Lughman insurrection increased m
strength. Thence, in the end of July, issued Kureem Khan, Glulzye, with a
force, which he brought up to Jugdulluk ostensibly to support Azim Khan,
hut it was believed with hostile intentions.
The disorder in the country naturally led to insecurity of traffic, and on the
14th July it was reported that eight loads of merchandize, coming from Jeilai-
abad had been plundered near Jugdulluk.
260. In one place the attempt to throw off Azim s yohe was premature.
The Shere Ali Huzarahs about Karabagh attacked the fort there held oy
Syfoolla on the part of Azim. Surwur Khan, m his retreat from 0"mi
came unperceived upon them as they were engaged in the attack, mHictea a
severe blow on them, and sent to Cabul three mule-loads of e f xs iA r :„ r . ners
formed into a pyramid at a gate of the city. He cut off the ears o I
and sent thirty of them to Cabul, where, accustomed as the people "
the severities which had characterised Azim s rule, their eai ess
condition excited much remark.
261. It was now Azim’s turn to seek assistance from Abdool Kahman
He sought it, hut in vain.