A Forgotten Chapter of Indian History As Described in the Memoirs of Seth Naomul Hotchand, C.S.I., Written by himself and translated by his grandson, Rao Bahadur Alumal Trikamdas Bhojwani, B.A.; Edited with an introduction by Sir H. Evan M. James Reproduced by Sani H. Panhwar (2020) A Forgotten Chapter of Indian History As Described in the Memoirs of Seth Naomul Hotchand, C.S.I., of Karachi. 1804-1878. Written by himself and translated by his grandson, Rao Bahadur Alumal Trikamdas Bhojwani, B.A.; Edited with an introduction by Sir H. Evan M. James Printed for private circulation only in 1905 Reproduced By Sani H. Panhwar (2020) SETH NAOMAL HOTCHAND, C.S.I. AGED 66. CONTENTS. PREFACE .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 INTRODUCTION CHAPTER I. Sindh in the first half of the 18th century—Former Hindu Rulers— The Kalhoras—The Talpurs—The three Talpur Kingdoms—Ambition of the Afghans and Ranjit Singh to possess Sindh—Reasons for British intervention—The Indus Valley used for the British expedition to Cabul— Treaty with Hyderabad–Amirs' obstructiveness—Naomul's birth and ancestry—Talpurs' oppression of Hindus—Brutal treatment of Naomul's father— Naomul's early alliance with British—Pottinger's request for assistance in 1838— Outram's arrival in Sindh—Amirs’ obstructiveness— Naomul's assistance to Outram and Pottinger—Outram becomes Political Agent—Natives' intrigues—Naomul's successful diplomacy with Mir Sher Mahomed .. .. .. .. .. 3 CHAPTER II. Sir Charles Napier—High-handed methods—Defeat of the Amirs— Annexation— Contentment of Sindhis—Naomul's hopes realized—Return of his exiled father— Naomul's troubles under Sir Charles Napier—Diwan Chandiram—Naomul's acquittal—Pottinger's testimony—Sir Bartle Frere's friendship—Grant of Jaghir and pension—Decorated with C.S.I.- Mercantile firm wound up—Fine services of Alumal Trikamdas .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 13 MEMOIRS. IN SETH NAOMUL'S OWN WORDS CHAPTER III. Naomul's ancestry—Kahiri—Invasion of Nadir Shah—Loot of Sehwan—Assistance to captives from Mathura—Bhojoomal—Migrates to Karakbunder—Founds Karachi— Constructs fort—Kalhoras—Murder of Rana Arjan—Cession of Karachi to Khelat— Expulsion of Kalhoras by Talpurs—Talpurs besiege Karachi—Dharianamal assists Talpurs to take possession of Karachi—Privileges given to Dharianamal—His friendship with Mir Karamali—Vaghers' piracy—Wealth of Naomal's ancestors— Hinglaz—Severe famine–Azim Khan's invasion—Division of Bhojoomal's property— Buried treasure—Lalmandas—Disputes in family—Mir Karamali's intervention— Naomul's visit to Porebunder— Belooch body-guard procured for the Rana—Death of Lalmandas .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 25 CHAPTER IV. Moslem riot—Attack upon Hindus—Seth Hotchand, Naomul's father sent for to Hyderabad—Parshram escapes—Brutal ill-treatment of Hotchand—Takes refuge in Cutch—Appeal to Mir Muradali—Defeat of Amirs by Shah Shuja—Winding up of Calcutta firm—Sir Alexander Burnes—Obstructed by Amirs—Capt. Carless' visit— Naomul saves him from Nawab–Survey of the port—Colonel Pottinger asks Naomul to provide camels and supplies for army at mouth of Indus—Jam of Jokhias— Outram's meeting with Naomul at Gharo–Collection of transport and supplies by Naomul—Visit to British camp at Ghorabari—Interviews with Pottinger, Eastwick and Sir John Keane—At Bamnikote .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 46 CHAPTER V. Army moves to Tatta—Naomul declines control of mint—Beloochi runs amok—Fatal accident to three English officers—Mir Shah Mahomed burns British stores—Mir Nur Mahomed sends secret excuses to Naomul— Agha Ismail Shah—Sookramdas accompanies army north—Pottinger requests the Admiral to protect Naomul's family— Bombardment of Karachi—Landing of troops assisted—Naomul's house guarded— Sookramdas parts from army at Shikarpur—Naomul's interview with the Amirs at Hyderabad—Accompanies Pottinger to Karachi—Naomul assists in securing the murderers of Capt. Hand—Naomul sent for by Pottinger to Bhuj-Raises money for payment of additional cavalry—Outram's adventurous journey from Khelat to Sonmiani—Narrow escape .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 59 CHAPTER VI. Pottinger leaves Cutch—Offers to befriend Naomul—Letter to Supreme Government— Naomul joins Outram—Ceases keeping cavalry accounts— Naomul's confidential mission to Mir Sher Mahomed, and the furnishing of supplies to troops entering that Mir's territory—Naomul's diplomacy— Interview with the Mir—Mir Sobdar's moonshis' arrival—Naomul visits Mir Shah Mahomed who gives him forged letter, supposed to be from Outram—Naomul hands letter to Outram—Punishment of forger—Mir Sher Mahomed’s letter to Sobdar offering bribe to secure Outram's good offices—Ubhrimal's knavery—Threatened hostilities between Hyderabad and Mirpur Amirs—Naomul an arbitrator—Sher Mahomed’s letter to Mir Sobdar secured but afterwards stolen—Naomul's mistake in not giving it to Lieut. Leckie at once 69 CHAPTER VII. Marriage festivities—Distinguished guests—Return to Karachi— Naomul receives through Lieut. Eastwick the dress of honor from the Governor General—Constructs houses in Sadar Bazaar—Mir's threats— Sir Charles Napier's arrival—Mir Ali Murad solicits Napier's aid against his brother Rustom—Rustom's flight—Attack on Hyderabad Residency— Battles of Miani and Hyderabad—Designs of Numrias, Karmatis and Jokhias chiefs to surprise Karachi and slaughter garrison—Alarm of Naomul's family—Panic in the City—Arranges with officers for defending Karachi— Talpur flag hauled down and Naomul sends kossids to Sir Charles Napier with letters secretly hidden—Naomul invites the help of Sahib Khan Chhuto—Marauding Beloochis pursued—Triumphant return of Hotchand —English detachment cut up by Beloochis—Naomul procures guides and follows detachment into difficult hills—Pistol shot fired—Suspected treachery—Belooch camps taken—The three chiefs surrender to Capt. Preedy—Naomul appointed Deputy Collector .. .. .. .. 80 CHAPTER VIII. Sir Charles Napier's durbar on Queen's birthday, 1843—Organisation of police—Sirdars and great landowners summoned—Napier's ungracious reception of Naomul— Resignation of Deputy Collector's post—Plunderings—Murder of Parsee—Sookramdas arrests murderers—Civil appointments made on Naomul's nomination—Diwan Chandiram prosecuted—Naomul and his relations threatened—Removal of houses in the Sadar Bazaar—Birth of Alumal, 1846—Naomul suspected— Charged with illicit gains in remitting treasure—Full acquittal—Private distillery abolished—Illness—Sir Charles Napier's departure .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 94 CHAPTER IX. Mr. Pringle—Interview with Sir George Clerk—Sir Bartle Frere arrives in 1851—His gentleness and popularity—Naomul accepts arrears of pay— Declines jaghir on life tenure—Death of Hotchand—Frere's staff, Barrow Ellis, Gibbs and Goldsmid— Invention of Sindhi Alphabet (note)—Eulogy on Frere—Visits to Frere—Frere founds Municipality in Karachi and other towns—Taxes imposed—Anecdote of Frere's patience when a native petitioner caused his fall from his horse—Frere's behavior during Mutiny—Naomul offers to raise Arab troops—Executions of Mutineers at Karachi .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 106 CHAPTER X. Frere leaves Sindh—Government of India sanctions his recommendation for a jaghir in perpetuity and pension for three lives—Naomul accepts land chosen by the Collector— Alumal's marriage—Frere appointed Governor of Bombay—Invites Naomul to visit him—Reception at Government House—Inauguration of Bhor Ghat railway—Visits the holy places of the Deccan—Naomul appointed C.S.I.-Commissioner holds Durbar in Naomul's honor—Frere holds Durbar at Karachi and personally decorates Naomul with insignia of C.S.I.-Alumal receives his diploma of B.A. from Frere's hands—Sources of Naomul's information—Advice to his descendants—Conclusion .. .. 117 LIST of APPENDIXES. APPENDIX I. (1). Memorandum by the Collector of Karachi, dated 14th January, 1848, recapitulating the good services of Seth Naomul .. .. .. .. .. .. 126 (2). Extract from Memorandum by the Collector of Karachi on the Chiefs and men of importance residing in his Collectorate .. .. .. .. .. .. 129 APPENDIX II. (Correspondence between Seth Naomul and Colonel [afterwards Sir Henry] Pottinger.) (1). Translation of a Persian letter, addressed to Seth Naomul by Colonel Pottinger, asking for assistance in money .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 131 (2). Letter from Colonel Pottinger to Seth Naomul, dated October 22nd, 1838, advising his having drawn bills in favor of Seth Naomul .. .. .. .. 131 APPENDIX III. (Colonel Pottinger's reports about the Mirs' promise to assist, and subsequent obstructiveness in providing camels and supplies, and mentioning Seth Naomul's services.) .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 132 (1). Colonel Pottinger's reports to Government about purwanas (letters of authority) having been promised to Seth Naomul, dated 25th October, 1838 .. .. 132 (2). Colonel Pottinger's report of the Amirs' secret opposition, and Seth Naomul's services in getting camels from Sonmiani in Kelat and elsewhere, and the Mirs' threats to seize and punish Naomul, dated 15th December, 1838 .. .. .. 132 APPENDIX IV. Extract from a letter from Colonel Pottinger to Rear-Admiral Sir Frederick Maitland, Naval Commander-in-Chief, soliciting special protection for Seth Naomul's family, dated 28th January, 1839 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 135 APPENDIX V. (1). Resident in Sindh to the Private Secretary to Governor-General, dated 4th February, 1839, reporting capture of Karachi .. .. .. .. .. .. 136 (2). Report on the disembarkation of troops at Karachi, and description of the fort and town, by Brigadier-General Valiant, commanding the Sindh Reserve