Journey to the North of India (Volume 2); Overland from England, Through Russia, Persia, and Affghaunistaun (Paperback)

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: Kamraun's Projected March On Candahar. 41 CHAPTER III. Kamraun's projects on Candahar?Account of roads between Herant and Caubul?Hindoo merchants at Heraut?Holy family of Pisheen?Syud Muheen Shah?The Author generously relieved by him?Departure from Heraut, and march under his escort to Girishk on the Helmund. On the 14th of October, Shah Kamraun publicly announced his determination of marching upon Candahar. The wealthiest Hindoos took flight upon the first intimation, but Meerza Agha was immediately set to work upon the purses of those who remained in the city. A tax in money and grain was laid upon all the villages round; guns and marching equipage were put in order; influential Khans were presented with robes of honour, and sent to raise the clans on the road, and the Sirdar Yar Mohummud Khan was formally invested with the title of " Vuzeer of Afighaunistaun." Many of the townspeople seemed to think that this was only one of Kamraun's excuses for raising money; but when he expended some of it in fitting out tents, their doubts were shaken. Little as Kamraun was liked by the Herautees, they seemed all to wish that he really would attempt the recovery of his kingdom; for, bad ruler as he was, he was a very42 Kamraun's Projected March On Candahar. Noorshewan in comparison with the rebel Sirdars of Candahar, and therefore there was hope that the people would rise to assist him. In the restoration of order, merchants saw a prospect of the roads being again open to trade, " and at least," shrewdly observed a townsman to me, " if the Shah fixes his presence at Candahar we shall be gainers, for now he is but in name a king, while this poor city of Heraut is alone made to pay for all the appendages of royalty. Although the Shah had announced his determination to march upo...