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184 asylum at Múltán, but Sháh Shujá wished to obtain the city and province as his own by conquest. Ranjít Singh treated the weak-minded prince with great respect, but, failing to obtain any money from him, determined to take Múltán on his own account. On the 24th February, 1810, he arrived before the walls, and the next day took possession of the city.

For some time the fort was bombarded without effect; mining was then resorted to; but the besieged countermined with success, and blew up the battery of Attar Singh Dhári, killing him with twelve of his men. On the 21st of March a general assault was ordered, but the Sikhs were repulsed with great loss, and they now grew disheartened, for provisions had become very dear in the camp. Diwán Mokham Chand, the General, was dangerously ill, and several leaders had been slain, while scarcely any impression had been made on the citadel. On the 25th another assault was made with the same result. It was necessary to raise the siege, and Ranjít Singh, to his intense mortification, had to accept from Muzaffar Khán the terms which he had many times rejected, namely, two and a half lakhs of rupees, twenty war horses, and a contingent in time of war. Having received 30,000 in earnest of the ransom, the Mahárájá retired from Múltán on the 14th April.

Seeing that his own strength was insufficient for the capture of Múltán, Ranjít Singh addressed the Governor-General, requesting the co-operation of British troops. His proposition was not well received,