SHAH JAHAN'S TIBETAN VICTOKIES 329 tions with the people of the country, to endeavour to win over the inhabitants by persuasion and promises. Mir Fakhr-ad-din crossed the river Nilab and laid siege to the fort, which was commanded by Abdal's son, Dau- lat, who was about fifteen years of age. He sallied out to attack the besiegers, but was driven back with heavy loss. The besiegers then advanced and opened their trenches against the gate on the Shkardu side. The son of Abdal was so frightened by these proceedings that, regardless of his father's family in the fort, he packed up the gold, silver, and all that was portable and es- caped in the night by the Kashghar gate. Mir Fakhr- ad-din, learning of his flight, entered the fort. He could not restrain his followers from plundering, although he took charge of Abdal's family. A force was sent in pursuit of the son, but the detachment was not able to overtake the fugitive, although it returned with some gold and silver that he had thrown away on the road as he fled. On hearing of this victory, Zafar Khan pressed the siege of Kaharphucha and Kahchana, and the governor and garrison of the latter accordingly surrendered. Ab- dal, in despair at the progress made by the invaders and at the loss of his wives and children, likewise opened negotiations and surrendered the fort of Kahar- phucha. Zafar Khan was apprehensive that the snow would fall and close the passes and that he might be attacked from the side of Kashmir at the instigation of Abdal. Without making any settlement of the country, therefore, and without searching for AbdaFs
