THE DEATH OF AMARJI largely augmented force now to be brought against him, Amarji retreated on Junagadh, while the allied forces besieged and stormed the fort of Devra, which fell after an investment lasting seven days. Manaji Gaekwad now refused to take further part in the proceedings, and returned with his army to Baroda, while Meraman Khawas, Rana Sultanji, and Jadeja Kumbhoji retired to their respective capitals. Amarji now decided to take the offensive and crush his enemies in detail. He therefore made a rapid descent on Rana Sultanji and laid waste his territory. Meraman Khawas, fearing similar reprisals, now made peace, and after paying a large fine sent an army to co-operate against the Rana, who was obliged to submit, to pay an enhanced tribute, and to repair the fort of Devra, which had been much damaged during the recent attack upon it. The Dewan now took an army into Jhalawad to collect tribute, intending to attack Gondal on the return journey. But he was too late. Nawab Hamed Khan suddenly left the army on a plea of sickness to return to Junagadh, and on the way passed through Gondal, where Kumbhoji induced him to be his guest for the night. During the short time at his disposal, he managed to persuade the Nawab that Amarji's very existence was a menace to him, and that he aimed shortly at turning him out of Junagadh and founding his own rule. Before he left Gondal, Hamed Khan agreed to bring about the assassination of his Minister, receiving in return from Kumbhoji a sum of three lakhs of Nawanagar " Koris," when the deed were accomplished. Four conspirators named Manohardas Trikamdas, Mehta Khan, Jubah Khan, and Jiwan Khan agreed, on obtaining promises of great rewards, to murder the Dewan, and on his return from Jhalawad to celebrate the Holi festival he was entrapped in the palace and murdered on March 6, 1784. Simultaneously his brother Dullabhji and his son Ranchhodji were imprisoned. 147