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214 Náth, the Chancellor, to the outstanding revenues of Tank. 'There are nearly two years' revenue unpaid,' said the Rájá, 'so it is about time to send an army.'

Sirdár Harí Singh Nalwa remained at Pesháwar as Commander-in-Chief, and, in 1836, was ordered to build a fort at Jamrúd to command the entrance of the Kháibar Pass. This work was soon finished, of no great strength, but sufficient to overawe the Afrídís and annoy any force marching from Kábul. The Amír was furious, and determined to take up the challenge thus thrown before his mountain gateway.

He despatched a force of 7000 horse, 2000 matchlock men, and 18 guns from Jalálábád under his son Muhammad Akbar Khán, three other of his sons accompanying, and being joined by some 20,000 tribesmen. They arrived in April, 1837, before Jamrúd, then unprovisioned and garrisoned by only 800 Sikhs. Harí Singh was ill with fever in Pesháwar and made no sign, and the siege went merrily on for six days, when the walls were breached so that cavalry might have charged up them. At last, when hope was almost gone, the great general turned out all his garrison from Pesháwar, 6000 foot, 1000 regular cavalry, and 3000 irregular, and marched to the relief.

For some days the hostile forces lay opposite each other, neither wishing to attack. At length Harí Singh decided on battle. His advance was, at first,