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In the meantime Ali Sher Khan of Kharmang took another wife over his first one, Shah Jehan Begum, who was the daughter of Ahmad Shah. In order to punish him, Ahmad Shah sent a force to Kharmang under his son Shah Murad. Raja Ali Sher Khan fled to Purik (Kargil) Shah Jehan Begum remonstrated with her father against his attack on Kharmang as a result of which Ahmad Shah allowed Ali Sher Khan to return to his principality. At Purik (Kargil), Raja Ali Sher Khan, gave an assurance to Wazir Zorawar Singh that whenever he attacked Baltistan, he would allow his forces to pass through his territory.

Keeping in view the turmoil in this kingdom and the intentions of Sikhs about conquest of Baltistan, Ahmad Shah sought desperately the protection of some powerful ally. His eyes naturally fell on the British and he, therefore, wrote to the English Agent at Ludhiana. Vigne mentions about this letter when he says:-

“It was previously to my first departure for Kashmir that I received from Captain Wade, at Lodiana, a hint or two which encouraged me to make the attempt, of my own accord, to continue my journey through the  valley to Iskardo, the capital of Little Tibet, which had never as yet been visited by any European. He read me part of a letter he had received from Ahmad Shah, the Rajah, or Gylfo of that country, in which he expressed his anxiety that some English Sahib should visit him; and my mind was of course made up in a moment. I intimated my intention to Mihan Singh, the governor, who said, but with all proper civility, that he could not allow me to pass the Sikh frontier without permission from Lahor. Accordingly, I wrote forthwith to the Maharajah and to Captain Wade, who kindly made the proper representation regarding my objects in traveling and Runjit returned a favorable answer to my request.

“ In the meantime the Sikhs in Kashmir who well knew, that, although I might obtain the permission I sought for my crossing the mountains to Little Tibet would not be pleasing to the Maharajah, in as much as it would tend to diminish his influence in the quarter; and urged, no doubt, by the additional annoyance which it would cause to Raja Gulab Singh of Jamu, who had long intended to make himself master of the valley of the Indus; endeavored to throw obstacles in my way, by enlarging upon the difficulties and dangers of the journey. The Kazi of Kashmir confessed afterwards, that they had tried to bribe and intimidate my servants; I myself was present when the Jemadar or Sikh Captain Commanding my guard, was terrifying them by