Page:The People of India — a series of photographic illustrations, with descriptive letterpress, of the races and tribes of Hindustan Vol 6.djvu/53

 NAWAB ALLA DAD KHAN. (286)

HE Lagharee family, a subordinate branch of the Talpoors, have been distinguished in the local history of Sind under the Talpoor dynasty. In the early portion of the present century, Nawab Wullee Mahomed Lagharee was the principal person and moving spirit of the Ameer's court, and was connected with—indeed, managed all transactions with—the English, whether envoys or merchants. During the period of Dr. Burncs' visit to Sind, he held the highest offices, power and influence. It was he who drove the Afghans out of Shikarpoor by clever diplomacy, and without striking a blow in anger; and thus secured the northern frontier of Sind, and one of the chief marts of frontier traffic. He left four sons—Ahmed, Mahomed, Alia Dad, and Gholam Hyder. Of these, Ahmed, the eldest, in a measure succeeded to his father's position at the Ameer's court; but the high ability of his father was wanting. He, however, a bitter opponent of British measures, commanded the Ameer's army in the fierce battle of Meeanee, and behaved well in that bloody action. It is said that he never recovered the grief of the defeat, the loss of friends, or the misfortunes of his masters the Ameers: and he became prematurely, a broken-down old man. The second brother, Mahomed Khan, took service with the conquerors after awhile, and is now an assistant collector in Lower Sind. The third brother. Alia Dad Khan, the subject of the Photograph, is also in the British civil sendee in Sind, and is mookhtyarkar, or head district official at Sehwan. The fourth brother, Gholam Hyder, is a pensioner of the British Government, and resides at Koomree, a village which belongs to him. Hence he has the appellation of Koomree Walla. Under the Ameers he was a person of some consideration and influence, and was one of the most violent at their court in opposition to the British, and in advising the Ameers to resist them. It is remembered of him, however, that, unlike his brother Ahmed, he was one of the first to show an example of cowardice in quitting the field of battle early in the action of Meeanee. At present he lives in retirement, on the proceeds of his estates and his pension; while his two brothers,