48

finger was not raised in protest to the heinous transaction)’ when the elegy was received in Skardu, there was tumult and protest against the affair all over the land. It was unanimously decided that the girl, Maryam, should be brought back and that in future no tribute be paid in any shape or kind. A force was sent which overtook them in the plain of Deosai, took back the girl from the Kashmir Emissary and gave the message of the ruler of Skardu to the Kashmir Government that he shall not pay any tribute in future and that he was all the more prepared to measure strength with it. This elegy or folk song is called by them of “BONO MARYAM”.                                      

Taking advantage of the weekend position due to the Afghan invasion of Skardu, Azam Khan of Shigar, the brother-in-law of Sultan Murad, managed to snatch the Skardu throne by drowning the latter while he was crossing by a ferry to meet the former. Sultan Murad’s son, Mohammad Zafar Khan, a minor, managed to escape to Purik (Kargil). For sometime Azam Khan occupied both the thrones of Skardu and Shigar. The Laddakhi chronicle as translated by Dr. Frank, says that in 1722 A.D. Azam Khan, Chief of Shigar, brought Skardu, Rondu, Chitral and Gilgit under his sway. After some time Mohammad Zaffar Khan with the aid of Ladakh is regained the throne of Skardu and Azam Khan fled to Rondu and Chitral. He again came over and conquered Shigar. This time Fakhrun-Nisa, sister of Shah Murad, organized a revolt in consequence of which Azam Khan was killed. She thus avenged the murder of her brother.

ALI SHER KHAN II

1778 TO 1800

Muhammad Zafar Khan was succeeded by his son Ali Sher Khan the II during whose reign a war of succession broke out in Shigar on the death of Hussain Khan. He is related to have espoused the cause of his sister’s son Imam Quli II while the Raja of Khaplu supported Azam Khan. During these wars, Imam Quli Khan II and Azam Khan regained and lost the throne of Shigar thrice. These wars weakened the foundations of kingdoms of Shigar, Skardu, and Khaplu. Apart from this, Ali Sher Khan Ii had to contend with the Gaylfo (Raja of Ladakh) who invaded his territory. According to Frank the Ladakhi troops were defeated near Keris 27 miles east of Skardu, by the Skardu forces under the command of Ahmad Shah, the heir and eldest son of Ali Sher Khan, who seized and carried of about hundred men from Ladakhi army composed of Sod, Chused, Khaplu and Chorbat.