Memoir on Thar and

political proceedings in the conterminous principality of Kutch during the beginning of
the present century. *
44. As far back as A.D. 1812-13, we find the forays of the Wagur banditti in Katty war
attracting notice. Wagur is the district comprising the eastern part of Kutch, divided from
Parkur by the Runn only. The banditti of those days—and of after years also— was
generally composed of the kindred spirits from both sides of the Runn. In this year (1812-
13), a strong letter of remonstrance was addressed to Jemedar Futty Mahomed, then
ruling in Kutch in the name of the Prince, on the subject of the depredations committed in
Katty war by the Wagur banditti; no satisfactory result, however, appears to have ensued
therefrom.
45. In the subsequent year, Jemedar Hoossein Mya, Futty Mahomed’s son—the father
having departed this life intermediately— moved into Wagur with a considerable force,
consequent on further remonstrance’s from the British Government regarding the
depredations of the Wagur banditti. The Jemedar’s force, however, was unequal to the
undertaking of subduing the marauders, who, if menaced in Wagur, had only to retreat to
Parkur, where they were quite safe; consequently, nothing was affected. The constituted
authorities had failed in their attempt to check the freebooters, who now became more
bold than ever; they levied contributions in the Desert as far as Sind proper; they
devastated Wagur, and laid waste the adjacent districts of Guzemt, south of the Runn of
Kutch. It may be supposed with what impunity they carried on their forays, when they
ventured so far from their strongholds; they even had the temerity to attack the camp of
the British Agent, which happened to be pitched near the Runn and within their beat. The
force of the marauders was supposed on this occasion to amount to about 500 men; the
attack took place at night, which happened to be dark and tempestuous, so that the
confusion usually created by a night attack was heightened by the agitation of the
elements, but more particularly by the division of the camp, whose position had been
taken up for the monsoon, more with reference to convenience than defense; and while
therefore that portion of it immediately under the orders of the British officer, Captain
MacMurdo’s own supervision was speedily ridded of the marauders, he was ignorant of
the fate of the other portion, which was a short distance off, and which suffered the most.
The marauders succeeded in carrying off a few horses, camels, &c., while some lives
were lost on both sides. In the following year (1816), the depredations of the banditti
continuing unabated, and the British Government having failed to obtain any guarantee
for the discontinuance thereof, or any satisfactory reply from the Bhooj Court, forwarded
a list of its demands, which, if not speedily complied with, was to be followed by a force
to compel acquiescence, and effect arrangements to protect its own and allies’ subjects
from the marauders. The demands were:—
1st.—Compensation for the losses which the tributaries of our allies, the Peishwa
and Guicowar, had sustained, and a liquidation of the expenses which the
Guicowar and British Governments had incurred, in consequence of the
depredations committed by the banditti from Wagur.
* Vide Kutch narrative, page 18-19.
<strong>Memoir</strong> on the Thurr and Parkur Districts of Sind. Copyright © www.panhwar.com
11