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was learnt that the Wazir had reached
Burkutta, he abandoned the fort and reached Skardu. Now Raja Khurram
Khan of Keris also joined the Laddakhi forces. After crossing the
river, they reached Gol and presented themselves before Zorawar
singh. The combined forces of Laddakhis, Dogras, Kharmang, Khaplu
and Keris, reached Skardu without any resistance.
Raja Ahmad Shah shut himself up in the
Kharfocho Fort, and the Wazir besieged it. The attach on the Fort
continued but was of no avail. The siege lasted for ten or fifteen
days without any fruitful result. The Wazir decided to use diplomacy
through Raja Ali Sher Khan. It is related that Ali Sher Khan swore
before Raja Ahmad Shah that no harm would be done to him and that
Ahmad shah should make his submission to the Wazir. Relying on his
word Raja Ahmad Shah came out of the fort and went to see the Wazir.
He was imprisoned and the Wazir occupied the fort. All the wealth
and riches that Ahmad Shah possessed were confiscated as war
indemnity and deposited in the royal treasury.
Raja Ali Khan of Rondu and Raja Jabbar
Khan of Astore did not submit to the Wazir. The Wazir, dispatched a
Balti force via Baghardo and Chhari under Dogra officers and Rajas
of Kharmang etc. Raja Ali Khan of Rondu fled from his fort and
country. The fort was reduced without opposition. After realizing
about Rs. 15,000/- in cash and kind from Raja Ali Khan his kingdom
was restored to him.
Kalon Rahim Khan who had fled to
Skardu from Pashkum (Kargil) and from Skardu to Rondu with the
intention of going to Gilgit was taken prisoner at Rondu and was
brought before the Wazir. Rahim Khan was ring-leader of the revolt
in Purik (Kargil). His limbs were cut off and put into the boiling
cauldron of oil. His ears, nose and tongue were cut off and was then
let off in the Maidan. He died within a few days on the spot where
he lay. Similar punishments were awarded to other insurgents of
Purik (Kargil). Hashmatullah came across the description of the
campaign recorded by one Ganga Ram Naqashi who took part in it. The
translation may be seen at appendix “D”.
Hashmatullah
remained Wazir Wazarat (Deputy Commissioner) of Baltistan for a long
time. Raja Ali Sher Khan of Kharmang had recorded in Persian, in his
own hand, the services which he rendered to the Dogras in the
conquest of Baltistan. This booklet was given to Hashmatullah
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