portion of arrears of tribute due to the Cabul throne in 1805, it was irregularly paid, and this proof of subserviency to that power evaded until 1839, when a large sum on this account was defrayed to the above monarch in the course of his march to Candahar. The Talpúrs do not appear to have ever been ambitious of foreign conquest, except encroachments on the neighbouring petty state of Cutch, which, on one or two occasions, have given rise to remonstrance and to the collection of forces by the Indian government, as threatening the quiet of our own possessions towards Guzírat. Omarkót, which Futteh Allí so repeatedly but vainly attempted to capture, was taken in 1813; and predatory subjects of the Sindh state, particularly the Khosahs, have much annoyed our Guzírat frontier; but generally the Talpúrs have ruled with a peaceable demeanour towards other states, by whom they have also been left unmolested. Shah Shújah, in 1833, punished them for their want of allegiance when he made his last unsuccessful attempt to regain his throne. Internally, the country of Sindh under the Talpúr rule has been singularly free from those revolutions and intestine tumults to which it was so long a prey, and, if not improved in other points, certainly had this advantage. There is a character introduced in the foregoing account of the Talpúr family, who must not be lost sight of, viz. Ibrahim Shah, the Persian, and prime minister of the first form of government, and an important instrument in the fortunes of the house. He was succeeded by his son, Ismael Shah, who retained until the period of his death, in 1839, the same high position and great influence in the Hyderabad councils as his father, and who was remarkable for his rooted dislike to British connection, against the formation of which he threw every possible obstacle on its being first proposed, and subsequently never ceased to use every endeavour to break it off or mar its progress. He left at his death five sons, Zein al Abdín, Tukki Shah, Sadik Shah, Ibrahim Shah, and another, all highly capable men, and employed as kardars, or managers of state affairs, and contributing individually and collectively to uphold the interests of their employers. This celebrated Persian family has played a very momentous and conspicuous part in the fortunes of the Talpúr house from its rise to its downfal; and, though their wealth proves that their attachment and services have not been altogether unrequited, there is reason to believe the late Mirs had few more serviceable or capable adherents than these. This part of the subject may be concluded by a summary of the Sindhian history, as far as it is recorded, and it will stand thus, A. D. 750 Ruled by Brahmins until conquered by Mahommedans 711 - 1025 CHAP. XII. Sindh Durbars.-Description of Hyderabad.-Fort and Town. Visit to Amirs. - Rude Welcome. - Etiquette observed Hospitality. General Effect of Sindh Durbar. Description of Amirs.—-Nasir Khan.— Mir Mahomed, or Sobhdar.— Shahdad Khan. — Hussein Allí Khan. — Dissensions and apparent Anomaly of Form of Government. - Real Stability.— Source of family Discords.. Shír Mahomed of Mirpúr.Khyrpúr Durbar.-Town and Fort.-Mir Rústum-Age and Infirmities of. Family Discords. Allí Múrad. Character of his Court.—Interior Economy of Household of Sindhian Amirs. - Females. - Education of Princes.Love of Arms. - Horses. - Passion for Sport.-Scenes at Shikargahs. Costume of Amirs.-Economy of Time.-Religious Observances. -Vanity of Talpúrs.-List of Amirs of Hyderabad and Khyrpúr.- General Review of Characters. Fair Conclusions to be drawn.- Wealth of Chiefs. In order to introduce the late Talpúr chiefs or Amirs of Sindh more intimately than in the preceding chapter, it will be better to describe their durbars or courts in both portions of the country, commencing with that of Hyderabad in Lower Sindh; which, as before observed, was considered the capital of the whole province, and was founded by Ghullam Shah Kalora. The Talpúrs, particularly Futteh Allí and his brother Ghúllam Allí, patronised Khúdabád a short distance further north, as a royal residence, and here their tombs may be seen, occupying the same relative position as did the brothers during life. After their time, however, Hyderabad became the favourite position of the princes, from having the advantages of a large fort and citadel (adjoining the town), which was solely occupied by the Amirs, their families, and personal guards or servants: an approach to this stronghold of the feudal chiefs of Sindh was strikingly illustrative of the rude and semi-barbarous state which they entertained. The fort itself crowns the summit of a scarped termination to a range of hills; and though on a near approach its defences are seen to be in a dilapidated state, has from its great elevation and a large and lofty interior citadel a very picturesque appearance: gardens with thick clusters of trees, and the branch of the river flowing near the walls diversify the scene. Hyderabad had also the additional recommendation to the Amirs of being centrally situated, and from it their hunting preserves by means of the river were very accessible: they spoke in raptures of its climate; for though very sultry during certain seasons of the year, it is a drier atmosphere than the Delta and less exposed in its neighbouring country to inundation than most portions lower down, whilst it enjoyed in common with all Lower Sindh the monsoon winds and a shorter duration of excessive heat than beyond Sehwun. The town is a poor place for the capital of a country, carrying on but little trade, and that only for its |