THE HISTORY OF KATHIAWAD was unable to gain access to the town, and the Kachh army was eventually forced to retire on Khambhalia, which place was also unsuccessfully besieged* Meraman now decided to attack Bhanwad fort, near Ghumli, which was held by Rajput sympathisers of Jam Jasaji, who had been overrunning the country round in the Barda Hills. Amin Saheb was at this time, in AJD. 1799, sent from Baroda to levy tribute, and happened to be at Wankaner. Meraman sent word to him agreeing to pay the tribute demanded, which was three times the amount usually levied. The danger of attack by the Marathas now being averted, Ranchhodji (the second son of Dewan Amarji) was sent against Bhanwad. But after a desultory siege lasting for over four months the Nawa- nagar army proved unable to capture the place. Mean- while Fateh Mahomed again brought an army across the Rann and attacked Nawanagar, and Meraman sent Raghu- nathji to Shivram Kamedan, who was collecting the Maratha tribute near Viramgam, asking his aid. Shivram consented to assist him and marched towards Nawanagar. But Meraman now repented having called upon him, fearing he would be persuaded to take up the cause of Jam Jasaji against himself. Accordingly he arranged an interview with Fateh Mahomed at Dhumao, and there concluded peace with him. He now wrote to Shivram and informed him he need not trouble to advance further, as the matter in dispute for which his aid had been sought was now settled. Raghunathji had now to pacify Shivram, since he had made all arrangements with him, and Shivram felt he was being trifled with. He therefore levied money from the district in which the Maratha army was encamped suffi- cient to pay the expenses of the march across the penin- sula, after receiving which Shivram returned to Gujarat. But Meraman was displeased with Raghunathji on this account, and the latter prudently went to Dhrol, instead 156