FROM this period, may be dated the first important establishment of the Rohilla power in Rohilcund: a name by which they distinguished the Kuthair districts, and their other territories on the east side of the Ganges. Azmut Ulla Khan being removed from the government of Moradabad, Hunund, an Hindoo officer of note, was ordered to proceed to that place, and exterminate the government of the Rohillas. It appears, that Omdut Ul Mulck †, a powerful omrah at the court of Mahomet Shah, advised and promoted this measure, in revenge of the death of the eunuch, who had been his agent in the management of an extensive Jaguir, which he held in the districts of Munounah and Owlah. The forces of Hunund were encountered by the Rohillas under the command of Ali Mahomet ‡, and wholly defeated. Hunund, together with his son, fell in battle; and the districts of Moradabad, with those of Bareily, were seized on by Ali Mahomet.-About this time Azim Khan Dungheah, a Rohilla who had been employed in the service of the zemindar of Peleabeat §, joined

* In some papers recording Rohilla history, it is mentioned, that Azmut Ullah was forcibly deprived of his government by Ali Mahomet.

†This officer was also known by the name of Amir Khan.

This event happened A. D. 1740, the year after Nadir Shah's invasion of India.

A town in the north-east quarter of Rohilcund, near the foot of a woody range of hills.-Vide Rennel's map.

Ali Mahomet; whom it is said he urged to invade the possessions of his late master. The Rohilla, who embraced with eagerness every opportunity of extending his conquests, and acquiring plunder, attacked the Hindoo, and drove him from his residence. After the death of Hunund, it is mentioned, though without any accurate detail of facts, and a total omission of date, that Meer Munnoo, the son of the Vizier Kummer-ud-Dein, was sent into Rohilcund with an army to compel Ali Mahomet to account for the Rohilcund revenue, and to restore the artillery which had been attached to the troops of Hunund. Ali Mahomet met Meer Munnoo at a passage of the Ganges near Daranaghur*, where an adjustment was effected; and the daughter of the Rohilla, it is also said, given to Meer Munnoo's brother in marriage. No other dates are affixed to the arrival of Hafiz Rhamut Khan† in India, than that he joined his countrymen during the administration of Ali, Mahomet; who being desirous of effacing any resentment that he might harbour for the murder of Alum Khan, quickly advanced this chief to an important station. Dhoondy Khan, a ne

* A town on the bank of the Ganges, in the north-west quarter of Rohilcund.-See Rennel's map.

+ Hafiz Rhamut, some documents say, first came into India in the character of a meschant.

phew of Alum Khan, who probably came to Rohilcund about the same period, was also much favoured by Ali Mahomet. Actuated more perhaps by the desire of conquest, than retaliating former disgrace, Ali Mahomet invaded Cummaioun, which he over-run, and compelled the chief to take refuge in the Serinagur country*. He amassed a large booty in this expedition, which was concluded by the exaction of an annual tribute; and Rohilla troops were stationed in the forts of Cashipour and Rooderpour, dependencies of Cummaioun, which he kept possession of, to record, it is said, the revenge that had been taken for the murder of his father.

ALI Mahomet, who resided chiefly at Owlah, established throughout his territory a permanent system of government, which though occasionally rigorous, afforded a general protection to the lower class of people. Surdar Khan, who had approved himself in many actions a brave soldier, was appointed to the command of the army; and certain lands were granted him for his maintenance. Futtah Khan †, with a comfortable donation, was created the public

* An Hindoo territory, bounding Rohilcund on the north.

† Futtah Khan, originally a Hindoo, was adopted by Ali Mahomet. The usage of male adoption prevails even in Mahometan families where there are many sons.

treasurer, and keeper of the household stores. Peleabeat and Bareily were given to Hafiz Rhamut; and Moradabad, to Dhoondy Khan. Ali Mahomet seems to have held the imperial authority at this period in a low degree of estimation, for he openly seized on some valuable commodities, which the Governor of Bengal had dispatched, by the road of Rohilcund, to court, for the use of the king. Setting also at defiance the power of Sufdah Jung, the Subahdar of Oude, he plundered a large quantity of valuable timber that had been cut down for his use in the northern parts of Rohilcund. Sufdar Jung, who had ever been inimical to the late conquerors of Kuthair, acquired a sufficient influence over Mahomet Shah*, to induce that Prince to attack Ali Mahomet. The Rohillas were secretly supported by the Vizier Kummer-ud-Dein, who, bore an inveterate hatred to the Subahdar of Oude; and who, in the usage of the courtiers of that day, strengthened his party by every powerful connection that he could pro

cure.

THE King entered Rohilcund with a great

* Sufdar Jung chiefly persuaded Mahomet Shah to undertake this expedition, by a stipulation of paying one lack of rupees for every marching, and half a lack for every halting day, of the Inperial army, until its arrival in Rohilcund.

force, and without coming to an engagement, possessed himself of the open country. Ali Mahomet, aware of his inability to resist the king's army, and feeling perhaps a reluctance to face his sovereign in the field, had retired into the woods of Banghurt, the skirts of which were defended by a chain of forts that had been erected by the Rohillas at a former period. Ali Mahomet maintained this post for some time, but having no hope of relief, and being scantily supplied with provisions, he surrendered himself into the hands of the king; and at the intercession of Kummer-ud-Dein, was pardoned.

THE power of the Rohillas was now annihilated in Rohilcund, and all their officers and principal people were removed to Delhi. This remarkable event, which happened in the year 1745, shews that Ali Mahomet must have been essentially aided by the distracted state of the empire, during the Persian invasion, in the increase and establishment of his dominion.

It

* During the campaign of Mahomet Shah in Rohilcund, he gave to the Shote river the name of Yaa Wuffadar, or faithful friend, from the great conveniences derived by his army from this stream, whose waters are salubrious, and flow in a beautifully winding

course.

These woods lie between Owlah and Rampore.-Vide Ren nel's map.