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258   ANTIQUITIES OF WESTERN TIBET   [VOL. II

2. The Dogra troops marched from Káshtwár (T. Kastrawar), and entered the Ladák (La-dvags) territory by the pass at the head of the Suru valley, where, on the 16th of August, 1834, they were opposed by the Boti (Tibetan) leader Mangal, at the

head of 5,000 men. The Dogras advanced to the attack up a hill, which was obstinately defended for a whole clay, and at last succeeded in dislodging the Ladákis with a loss of only six or seven killed, and five or six wounded ; whilst the enemy lost thirty killed, and as many wounded. They encamped on the north side of the hill for the night, and on the next morning marched to Suru, where they halted for eight days. During that time the Vazir prohibited his troops from cutting the corn, which was then ripe, and his politic conduct was rewarded by the immediate submission of the zamindars, who came over to him in a body, and placed themselves under his protection. The Vazir then built a small fort, which he occupied for a month. He next advanced to Shakhar (Sag-mkhar), where there was a fort belonging to Thai Sultan (Khri-Sultan), and having reinstated the zamindars of Janguri (San-ku-ri ?) and Shakhar (Sag-mkhar) in their villages, he made a summary settlement of the district by imposing a tax of

four rupees upon each house.

3.  Leaving thirty-five men in the fort and ten men over the bridge, the Dogras advanced by Langkarchu (Lan-mkhar-rtse) and Manji (Mainji of the map) to the bridge of Paskyum (T. Pas-kyum), where they were again opposed by the Ladákis. The struggle was desultory, and protracted, the Dogras losing only seven killed, while the Botis (Tibetans) had fifty or sixty killed, and a greater number wounded. By a skilful manoeuvre the Ladákis effected their retreat across the bridge, which they then broke down. On the following day, however, the Dogras managed to cross the river on inflated skins without opposition ; on which the chief of the place abandoned Paskyum, and fled to the fort of Sód (Sod), where, with the zamindars of the district, he determined to hold out.

4.  The Dogras advanced towards the place and raised a battery against it ; but after ten days' firing nothing had been effected, although they had lost forty men in killed and wounded. The Vazir, who had remained behind at Paskyum, then ordered Mehta Basti Rám, with a party of 500 men, to make a vigorous assault upon the place. Accordingly, early the next morning, whilst it was still dark, the attack was begun by a discharge from the battery, under cover of which the Dogras advanced rapidly to the assault. By daybreak they had gained possession of the place and had captured the Gyalpo (rgyal-po, ` king ' or ` chief ' ). Altogether the number of prisoners taken at Paskyum and at Sód amounted to 6,000 men. A whole month was then wasted in fruitless negotiations with the zamindars of the district, who would not agree to the terms of settlement proposed by the Vazir.

5.  In the meantime Akabat Mahmúd Khan (the King of Ladakh), the Gyalpo of Ladák (La-dvags-rgyal-po), with the Banka Kahlan (Ban-kha-bkah-blon) and four chiefs, named Gapaju (T. Ga-ga-jo ? ), Dorje Namgyal (Rdo-rje-rnam-rgyal), Chang or Chovang Nabdan (Tshe-dbaii-rab-brtan), the Kahlon of Bazgo (Bab-sgo-bkahblon), and Rahim Khan, of Chachot (Chu-sod), accompanied by a force of 22,000 men,

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