Page:Ranjit Singh (Griffin).djvu/191

Rh the more so as he proposed that the force, instead of marching through the Punjab, should pass across the sterile country south of the Sutlej. Sháh Shujá even prepared for an independent attack on Múltán, but he was wise enough to relinquish an idea which could have had no chance of success.

In February 1816, an irregular attack was made upon Múltán by the Sikhs. A strong force had been sent to Baháwalpur and Múltán to collect the tribute, and there being some delay in Muzaffar Khán's payment, Phúla Singh Akáli, mad and drunk with bhang, led a storming party of fanatics like himself against the town, and with such impetuosity did they make the attack that they gained possession of some of the outworks of the citadel. But Fakír Azizuddin made due apologies, the Nawáb paid his tribute quicker than he would otherwise have done, and the Sikh army proceeded towards Mankerá. In 1817 a Sikh army under Diwán Chand marched against Múltán and attacked the fort, but was repulsed, and retired on payment of ten thousand rupees. These attempts, however, were not made in earnest. The Mahárájá was collecting his strength for a great effort, and had sworn that Múltán, which had so often defied him, should yet be his. During the cold weather of 1817 he was gathering supplies and men from all quarters, and in January, 1818, an army of 18,000 men, under the nominal leadership of Prince Kharak Singh, but in reality commanded by Misr Diwán Chand, marched from Lahore. On the way to Múltán, the forts of