Narrative of a visit to the court of Sinde at Hyderabad on the Indus : illustrated with plates and a map, with a Sketch of the history of Cutch and an appendix / by James Burnes.

James Burnes

Date:: 1839

Credit: Narrative of a visit to the court of Sinde at Hyderabad on the Indus : illustrated with plates and a map, with a Sketch of the history of Cutch and an appendix / by James Burnes. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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$Siiide by the intolerance of the Mabommedaii faith, idle walls have suffered less from the earthquake of 1819 than those of most towns in Cutch, and are at present in a state of good re- pair ; but the houses of the inhabitants, wliich occupy only about a third of the area inside, are much dilapidated, and of a mean descrijition. bhitteh ]\Iahommed, who has just been men- tioned, deserves a passing notice. lie was a Mussulman of Sindian extraction, who, from the humble station of shepherd, raised himself to the supreme rule in Cutch, about the year 1788 ; and enjoyed a greater degree of fame and respect, both at home and abroad, than any legitimate prince who had ever sat on its throne. At the con- fused period when this Cutchee Cromu'ell ap- peared, the country was groaning under the ty- ranny of Rao Raliiden, a monster, who, having apostatized to the Moslem creed, determined to spread it by the sword throughout his dominions, and deluged Rhooj with blood ; it being his usual jiractice to parade the streets with a body of ne- groes, putting to death every liuman being he met, M’hom scruples or fear prevented exclaiming, Allah Akbar. He was at length imprisoned as a lunatic, through the address and bravery of Futteh IMahommed, who, being hailed as a deliverer, re- stored the province to tranquillity, by a hrm and judicious exercise of authority ; and continued to wield its resources for many years, during which he often displayed views of policy, and traits of generosity and courage, udiich would have done honour to an European sovereign. A revolution$