Rebellion of Mohammad Yaqub Khan [‎164v] (18/174)

60 WEAKENING OE ABDOOL RAHMAN’S HOLD OVER TOORKISTAN. {.OCT.^
were so disgusted and alarmed by tire cruelties committed by Azim Khan at
Tulditapoof that, if but a small force was sent from Cabub the whole country
would ioin it, and turn out him and Abdoo Rahman Tins intelligence was con-
firmed by letters which were received, and hymen who came m on the ath, 10th
i - 1 -ij.y, October reporting the utter disorganization and rum of the Province
nnder^LStinVregTmefand the certainty that Azim and Abdool Rahman
were so detested that the mission of even a small force would complete their
overthrow.
q(U Still the Ameer, hampered by lack of funds, hesitated, and was
rather disposed to send a forced Candahar to Herat, where he probably
thought it could be better supported, and whence it might advance m the
spring on Toorkistan.
005 On the 22nd October, however, he made up his mind to send a small
exnerimental force towards Bameean, on the chance of Abdool Bahman’s ad-
vnnced force there either leaving in alarm at its approach, or else being found
to he so small that it could he attacked with safety.
OQ 0 ^ews coming too on the 26th that Abdool Bahman was really at
length advancing :, (a) Uslum Khan was sent to Mum Burra, on the roadtotlie
Kohistan, with four regiments of infantry, (J) 1 >000 horse, and a battery of artil-
lerv. Yacooh Khan was to remain with the mam body at Urghundab so as to
he able to move in whatever direction the enemy advanced.
307 further advance was made, when, on the 31st October and 1 st
November news came that Ahdool Bahman had himself crossed the Kara
Kotlml (Black Pass), and arrived at Mnddar by easy stages from Bameean, his
advanced posts being under General Majid Khan at Syghan, under Nash Khan
at Sokta Chinar, and under Khwaja Sooltan at Bameean. TJslum was, there-
upon, told to move into the Koliistan; and getting as far as the Ckaitak Pass,
entrenched himself there. Yacooh left his residence in Killa Mahomed Khan
bn the 31st, and moved to Behpooree. Thence, on the 4th, lie marched on to
Kot Ashroo. On that day the Ameer left the Bala Hissar to join his army in
person. Three days afterwards lie was followed by Ismail Khan.
308. It was soon known that, as Ahdool Bahman advanced, the Toorkis-
tanees rose in his rear and threw off his yoke. The men whom he left to guard
the forts of Ghoree and Boshee, expecting an attack by the Sheikh Ali Huza-
rahs, sent* to tender their allegiance to
* Diary ending 5tli November 1868. Ameer
“Meer Sooltan Murad Khan, the Governor of Koondooz, has, it was said, ceased furnish
ing the supplies, which, on receiving the country of Kataghan, he had promised to provide. The
Sheikh Alis even attacked the rear of Abdool Rahman's army.
(a.) The following extract from the diary of the 29tli October shows in how despairing a spirit this advance was made.
A man arriving from Ghoree reported “ that eight days ago Ameer Mahomed Azim Khan and Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Abdool Rahman Knan
were at Ghoree, and were daily consulting (somewhat sadly) about the necessity of marching, in order to keep the army
together. Suddenly three horsemen with despatches arrived from some unknown quarter. The two leaders, y® 1 ji
brief consultation, gave the orders for the whole army to march in the direction of Dusht-i-Sufed, and they moved o
at once.
“ Yesterday, a man brought news for the Ameer, to the effect that two regiments and four guns from the army of
Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Abdool Rahman Khan had arrived at Kara Kothal, and were throwing up breast-works. Some cattle conveyi g
stores and grain for this detachment, on arrival on this side of Bad Qag, were attacked by the Sheikh Ali Hazara »•
They wounded and killed several of their guard, and carried off some of the cattle.”
( b.) The strength of the force at the Ameer’s disposal is thus stated in the diary of 2nd—5th October:
“At this time, there are altogether 19 regimental standards in the Ameer’s army. Of these, the seven regiment
which the Ameer brought with him from Candahar, and the two regiments which from the first belonged to 11
Mahomed Ismail Khan, are each 600 strong. The remaining 10 regiments which have been raised at Cabulare no y
up to the full strength. They muster 200 or 300 men each, and their officers are working night and day to 1 ’ aise .
to the full complement. But it is not likely that these 10 Cabul regiments can be fully provided with arms, for, cw °
the overthrow of Ameer Mahomed Azim Khan’s rule, most of the arms have been lost or are missing. In conseque ,
several of the new regiments are without arms.”
By the end of September he had raised 10 or 11 new regiments, but had neither money to pay them nor suffic
muskets to arm them (diary of 29th September).