'Travels in Beloochistan and Sinde; accompanied by a geographical and historical account of those countries, with a map.' [‎338] (380/476)

338
MISSION TO SINDE.
by one of the Moonshees, or Persian writers, and the Akhoond made
the same ridiculous objections to the use of various words inserted
in it, after which he took leave.
All the Sindians, who had entered the public service, were this
forenoon expelled with their families, from their houses in the fort of
Kurachee, and one of them, who was bringing some provisions for the
use of the envoy's table, was seized and tied to a post, in the centre
of the Sindian camp, which now nearly encompassed our tents ; but as
we had Kunauts * all round our encampment, it did not incon
venience us. A remonstrance was instantly sent to the Nuwwab,
who ordered the man to be released, and expressed his dissatisfaction
at the act; but a few hours after his own people committed one of
much greater insolence, by beating the Lascars A term used by the British officials to describe non-European sailors employed on East India Company ships. who were filling water
for the consumption of the two ships' crews, and spilling all that was
ready to be sent on board. Another expostulatory message was re
sorted to, but the reply that was returned rather augmented the
outrage, by corroborating what the people had said, that it was done
by theNuwwab's instructions; he, however, condescended to explain,
that he had only intended the Lascars A term used by the British officials to describe non-European sailors employed on East India Company ships. should not waste the water,
and promised nothing similar should again occur. In the evening
the Akhoond came to our encampment, accompanied by a person
whom he introduced by the name of Moosa Khan, informing the
envoy that he was empowered to communicate the Umeers desire,
that the ships should quit the harbour, and that the mission might
afterwards advance to Hyderabad, with every honor and attention.
The envoy called to the Akhoond's recollection, that he had ap
prized him of his sentiments on this subject, and therefore further
discussion was unavailing. Moosa Khan seemed, throughout this
interview, to be a stupid ignorant man, and continually referred his
obervations to the Akhoond, for his approbation. He was dressed in
a plain white shirt, a pair of blue silk trowsers, and a quilted cap ;
* Kunauts are tent walls, made for the purpose of keeping tents private.