DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.3909#0179
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Also of Takk.
Tatari, Kamin
Baghdur, Shin
"When the Maharaja saw the suppliants, and also noticed Lassu, it was as if an arrow
had pierced him. He was greatly indignant, having heard everything from his General about
Lassu often defeating his troops and being the origin of the wars and of the numerous plans by
which his soldiers had been destroyed by thousands—for instance at the ambush at Sihil. Finally
after a long talk, the Maharaja made the forgiveness of the Chilasis conditional on the execution
of Lassu. The Chilasis said " By all means, if this man and his ancestors have not been your
servants. You expelled him and we received him. In gratitude for this he may have given
us sometimes advice, but he has never raised his hands against vou. Had he not given us
even advice roe should have killed him. It was his daty to do so. Let His Highness there-
fore pardon him." The Maharaja refused and ordered his General to strike off his head there
and then, put the blood into a plate and give it to him to drink [this was probably meant meta-
phorically, as a Hindu would not drink blood, especially not that of a Muhammadan. How-
ever, the Chilasi Chiefs appear to have understood the threat literally]. The Sirdars all inter-
posed as they could not witness his death. They offered to pay taxes, if he were spared. [This
was probably the object of this comedy]. Then the Maharaja fixed an annual tribute of Rs. 2
per house, in lieu of the blood of Lassu. The Chiefs thought it too much for their poor people,
so at last one Rupee per house was settled. He then dismissed them, but wanted them again
to appear next year with the tribute, viz. Balang Khan, Derya Khan, Matshar and Lassu.
" "When this is done, he added, I will send Lassu with a Khilat to Guraiz and re-instate him as
Governor and you shall also receive presents." This was accepted and the Chiefs returned
with all the people (men, women and children) who had been taken prisoners. He also sent a
letter to Jabar Khan of Astor to restore the 120 prisoners whom he had taken to the Chilas
Chiefs. This was done and nearly all returned, excepting the few that had died in course of
nature. Thus was Chilas again re-peopled and is inhabited to the present day.
The following villages in Chilas became subject to Kashmir : Chilas, then 300 houses, now
only 200, 100 having died in consequence of disease biought on by the bad water of that place,
Buder, 120 houses. Takk, 131 houses. The rest did not submit, nor will they ever do so, as they
have heard about the tyranny and oppression practised in Kashmir, "We Yaghistanis have thus
become even greater enemies than before, but are helpless. To revert to my story. After a year
the following Sirdars went with the tribute to Srinagar, viz.: Derya Khan, Balang Khan, Satari.
Eahmat-ulla, Matshar and Lassu. The Maharaja gave each a present of 120 Rupees and made
them stay a month at Jammu. Lassu was sent with much honor to Guraiz and re-instated. On
the expiration of the month the Sirdars came to Srinagar and requested leave to go as the har-
vest-time had come near. The Maharaja received them kindly and requested that in future two
Chilasis should come with the tribute and remain for a year as servants (really hostages) when
they would be allowed to return and two others be appointed in their stead. The hostages were to
Also of Takk.
Tatari, Kamin
Baghdur, Shin
"When the Maharaja saw the suppliants, and also noticed Lassu, it was as if an arrow
had pierced him. He was greatly indignant, having heard everything from his General about
Lassu often defeating his troops and being the origin of the wars and of the numerous plans by
which his soldiers had been destroyed by thousands—for instance at the ambush at Sihil. Finally
after a long talk, the Maharaja made the forgiveness of the Chilasis conditional on the execution
of Lassu. The Chilasis said " By all means, if this man and his ancestors have not been your
servants. You expelled him and we received him. In gratitude for this he may have given
us sometimes advice, but he has never raised his hands against vou. Had he not given us
even advice roe should have killed him. It was his daty to do so. Let His Highness there-
fore pardon him." The Maharaja refused and ordered his General to strike off his head there
and then, put the blood into a plate and give it to him to drink [this was probably meant meta-
phorically, as a Hindu would not drink blood, especially not that of a Muhammadan. How-
ever, the Chilasi Chiefs appear to have understood the threat literally]. The Sirdars all inter-
posed as they could not witness his death. They offered to pay taxes, if he were spared. [This
was probably the object of this comedy]. Then the Maharaja fixed an annual tribute of Rs. 2
per house, in lieu of the blood of Lassu. The Chiefs thought it too much for their poor people,
so at last one Rupee per house was settled. He then dismissed them, but wanted them again
to appear next year with the tribute, viz. Balang Khan, Derya Khan, Matshar and Lassu.
" "When this is done, he added, I will send Lassu with a Khilat to Guraiz and re-instate him as
Governor and you shall also receive presents." This was accepted and the Chiefs returned
with all the people (men, women and children) who had been taken prisoners. He also sent a
letter to Jabar Khan of Astor to restore the 120 prisoners whom he had taken to the Chilas
Chiefs. This was done and nearly all returned, excepting the few that had died in course of
nature. Thus was Chilas again re-peopled and is inhabited to the present day.
The following villages in Chilas became subject to Kashmir : Chilas, then 300 houses, now
only 200, 100 having died in consequence of disease biought on by the bad water of that place,
Buder, 120 houses. Takk, 131 houses. The rest did not submit, nor will they ever do so, as they
have heard about the tyranny and oppression practised in Kashmir, "We Yaghistanis have thus
become even greater enemies than before, but are helpless. To revert to my story. After a year
the following Sirdars went with the tribute to Srinagar, viz.: Derya Khan, Balang Khan, Satari.
Eahmat-ulla, Matshar and Lassu. The Maharaja gave each a present of 120 Rupees and made
them stay a month at Jammu. Lassu was sent with much honor to Guraiz and re-instated. On
the expiration of the month the Sirdars came to Srinagar and requested leave to go as the har-
vest-time had come near. The Maharaja received them kindly and requested that in future two
Chilasis should come with the tribute and remain for a year as servants (really hostages) when
they would be allowed to return and two others be appointed in their stead. The hostages were to