Lehal Library

133 Ahmed Shah Abdali stocked in the city in times of peace. At the end of six weeks, all the grain and fodder was exhausted and 'no lamp was lighted in any house for a distance of three marches. ' 8 Mannu sought advice from his counsellors. Kaura Mal advised patience. The Afghans, he argued, had also exhausted their provisions and were living on famine rations. Besides, it was already March; in another fortnight it would become too hot for the enemy, who were encamped in the open. Adina Beg was for immediate action. Mannu accepted Adina Beg's advice and opened hostilities on 5 March. Kaura Mal fell on the second day of the battle; Adina Beg quiet1y disappeared from the field. Mir Mannu fought as long as he could and then laid down arms. The Afghans extracted an indemnity of thirty lacs of rupees in cash from Mannu.9 By the terms of the treaty (ratified by the Mughal Emperor on 13 April 1752), Lahore and Multan were ceded to Abdali. Thus the Punjab passed out of the Mughal orbit into the Afghan. Before leaving India, Abdali also conquered and annexed Kashmir to his kingdom. ROYAL FAM1LY OF THE SADDOZAIS Ahmed Shah Abdali 1747-72 Taimur Shah 1772-93 FII'St Wife Second Wife I Shah Zaman Shah Shuja Shah Mahmud 179~1800 180~9 1839-42 1800-3 1809-18 8 Miskin, 75. 9 When Mannu was brought before Abdali, the Afghan King asked; 'What would you have done if I had fallen in your hands?' '1 would have cut off your head and sent it LO my master,' replied Mannu. 'Now thal you are at my mercy what do you expect of me?' asked Abdali. 'lf you are a