Burnes, Alexander: Travels into Bokhara: containing the narrative of a voyage on the Indus from the sea to Lahore, ... and an account of a journey from India to Cabool, Tartary and Persia ; performed by order of the supreme government of India, in the years 1831, 32, and 33 (Band 3) (London, 1835)

244

AFGHANISTAN.

BOOK II<

Begum, the most influential lady of his harem, had
used every persuasion to prevent Shooja's placing
himself in the power of Runjeet Sing; but he
disregarded her advice, and had in the end ample
reason to regret his having neglected it. This
was a ^woman of the most bold and determined
character; and her counsel had often proved
valuable to her husband, both in days of power and
disaster.

In Lahore, while at the mercy of the Seiks, and
absent from her husband, she preserved her own
and his honour in a heroic manner. Runjeet
Sing pressed her urgently to surrender the Koh-i-
noor, or valuable diamond, which was in her pos-
session ; and evinced intentions of forcing it from
her. He also sought to transfer the daughters of
the unfortunate king to his own harem. The
queen seized on the person who conveyed the
message, and had him soundly chastised, She also
intimated to the Maharaja, that if he continued his
dishonourable demands, she would pound the
diamond in a mortar, administer it to her daughters,
and those under her protection, and then swallow
it herself; adding, " May the'blood of all of us be
on your head !" This lady succeeded in the end
in escaping from Lahore, disguised as a Hindoo ;
and planned the deliverance of her husband, which
shortly followed. This was only effected at the
expense of the great diamond. A narration of the
circumstances relative to its surrender would prove
interesting, but it would be out of place in this
sketch. It is sufficient to mention, that imprison-