Riyaz al-salatin 109
The Riyazu-s-salatin (Abdus Salam) 109
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Contents
109.1.1
THE RIYAZU-S-SALATIN, A HISTORY OF BENGAL BY GHULAM HUSAIN SALIM, TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH FROM THE ORIGINAL PERSIAN, WITH NOTES, BY MAULAVI ABDUS SALAM, M.A., BENGAL PROVINCIAL CIVIL SERVICE, MEMBER OF THE ASIATIC SOCIETY OF BENGAL, AUTHOR OF TRANSLATIONS OF SUFI AND SIH-NASR-I-ZAHURI. FASC. IV. CALCUTTA: PRINTED AT THE BAPTIST MISSION PRESS, AND PUBLISHED BY THE ASIATIC SOCIETY, 57, PARK STREET. 1904. Shajau-d-din marched with a large army towards Bengal. In order to obtain the Imperial Sanad of the Nizamat of Bengal, and in order to secure the support of the Imperial Ministers, he sent a message to Rai Balkishan, agent of Nawab Ja'far Khan, at the Imperial Court, who enjoyed more confidence and eminence than Ja'far Khan's other agents. He also sent messages to other agents of his own. Emperor Muhammad Shah, on receiving news of Nawab Ja'far Khan's death, had conferred the Subahdari of Bengal on Amiru-l-Umara Samsamu-d-daulah Khan-i-Dauran Khan Bahadur, Chief Pay-Master-General of the Army. The latter was Emperor's loyal friend and intimate associate both in social gaieties as well as in State deliberations, and was his comrade, companion, and councillor in matters pertaining to feasts, as well as to wars. The Amiru-l-Umara misled by the intrigues of the aforesaid agent, sent the patent and Khila't of the Deputy Nizamat of Bengal in the name of Shujau-d-din Muhammad Khan.
109.1.2
Shujau-d-din Khan had reached this side of Mednipur when the patent addressed to his name arrived, and viewing this event as a good omen, he named that place "Mubarak-Manzil" or "the Auspicious place," and ordered a Katrah (a Tower) and a masonry-built Caravanserai to be erected there. When news of the approach of his father reached Sarfaraz Khan, owing to recklessness of youth, the latter intended marching to Katwah, in order to oppose his father's advance. The Dowager Begam of Nawab Ja'far Khan, who was a very wise and sagacious lady, and who regarded Sarfaraz Khan as dearer than her own life, dissuaded the latter, and with soft and sweet words of counsel set his mind at ease. She said to Sarfaraz Khan: "Your father is old; after him, the Subahdari as well as the country with its treasures would devolve on you. To fight against one's own father, is cause of loss both in this world and in the next, as well as of ignominy. It is meet that till the lifetime of your father, you should remain contented with the Diwani of Bengal." Sarfaraz Khan, who never acted against the advice of his grand-mother, acquiesced in her counsel. Advancing, he received Shujau-d-din Muhammad Khan, and escorted him to Murshidabad. Making over to his father the Fort and the offices of the Nizamat, Sarfaraz Khan retired to his private residence at Naktakhali. From there he used to attend daily on his father, and spend his time according to the latter's wishes.
109.1.3
Retaining in his own service the Qoran-readers, hymn-reciters, and scholars belonging to Nawab Ja'far Khan's household, Sarfaraz Khan employed them on devotions and on recitations of the Qoran, as was the practice under Nawab Ja'far Khan. He further consecrated his life to winning the hearts of people, and also sought for help and blessings from saints and hermits. Shujau-d-din Muhammad Khan, who in point of bravery and courage was unique in his day, and who in point of liberality and generosity was matchless in his time, was born at Burhanpur. As he ascended the masnad of the Nizamat of Bengal in his old age, he felt compassion for the condition of the Bengal Zamindars, who being in duress from the time of Nawab Ja'far Khan had never, even in dreams, beheld the faces of their wives and children. He set them at large, and permitted them to return to their homes, after levying from them Nazars over and above the amounts of revenue assessed by Nawab Ja'far Khan. By this stroke of policy, over and above the profits of Jagirs and fees on ware-houses and factories, he easily raised one kror and fifty laks of rupees, which he remitted to the Imperial Treasury through the Banking Agency of Jagat Seth Fatih Chand. And selling off at fancy prices to Zamindars the jaded horses, cattle, and other live-stock, as well as damaged carpets and curtains belonging to the private estate of Nawab Ja'far Khan, he sent another forty laks of rupees, besides elephants, to Emperor Muhammad Shah.
109.1.4
And after the Abstract Balance-sheet of the Annual Accounts was prepared, he remitted to the Imperial Capital the stipulated annual tribute of the Nizamat, besides the Imperial Revenue, according to the established usage. And sending to the Emperor, at their proper seasons, elephants, Tangan horses, special cotton-fabrics, and qushkhana and other manufactures, he attested thereby his loyalty to the Imperial throne, and was in consequence invested with the titles of Mautamanu-l-Mulk, Shuja'u-d-daulah, Shuja'u-d-din Muhammad Khan Bahadur Asad Jang. He also received the personal Mansab of a Haft Hazari, with seven thousand troopers, besides a fringed Palki, together with the insignia of the Mahi Order, and a khila't consisting of six pieces of robes, precious stones, a jewel-mounted sword, and a Royal elephant with a horse. He was further confirmed in the office of Nazim of Bengal. He surpassed his predecessors in office in paraphernalia of royalty and armaments, and though his prime of life had passed, he did not scorn life's pleasures. Dismantling the public buildings erected by Nawab Ja'far Khan, as they seemed too small according to his lofty ideals, he built instead a grand and spacious Palace, an Arsenal, a lofty Gateway, a Revenue Court, a Public Audience-Hall, a Private Office, a Boudoir for Ladies, a Reception-Hall, a Court of Chancery and a Court of Justice. He lived in magnificent splendour, and used to ride out in right regal state.
109.1.5
He attended constantly to the well-being of his Army, and to the happiness of his subjects. On his officers, he lavished largesses amounting to no less than one thousand or five hundred rupees in each case. Constantly animated by a scrupulous regard for justice, and always inspired by fear of God, he uprooted from his realm the foundations of oppressions and tyrannies. Executing Nazir Ahmad and Murad Farrash, the employes of Navvab Ja'far Khan, who were notorious for their high-handedness, he confiscated their effects. Nazir Ahmad had laid the foundation of a Mosque with a garden at Dehpara on the banks of the river Bhagirati. Shuja'u-d-daulah, after executing him, finished the mosque and garden, and named them after himself. And he tastefully embellished the garden by building therein grand palaces with reservoirs, canals and numerous fountains. It was a splendid garden, compared with which the spring-houses of Kashmir paled like withering autumn-gardens; nay, the garden of Iram itself seemed to draw its inspiration of freshness and sweetness from it. Shuja'u-d-daulah used frequently to resort for promenades and picnics to that paradise-like garden, and held there pleasure-parties and other entertainments. Every year in that beautiful garden, he used to give a State Banquet to the educated section of his State Officers. It is said that owing to the superb charmfulness of that garden, Fairies used to come down there for picnics and walks, and to bathe in its tanks.
109.1.6
The guards on getting scent of this, informed Shuja'u-d-daulah. Dreading mischief from the genii, the Nawab filled up the tanks with earth, and discontinued his picnics in that garden. Being fond of ease and pleasures, Nawab Shuja'u-d-daulah entrusted the duties of the Nizamat to a Council, composed of Haji Ahmad, Rai A'lamchand Diwan, and Jagat-Set Fatehchand, whilst the Nawab himself indulged in pleasures. Rai A'lamchand Mukhtar, popularity but also an increase to the revenue (as Nazar was levied), and at the same time contributed to the fertility of Bengal, the Jinnatu-l-Bilad. (See Seiru-l-Mutakherin, Vol. II, p. 473). For purposes of administration, he maintained his son Sarfaraz Khan as the nominal Diwan of Bengal, conferred the Subahdari of Orissa on his son (by another wife), named Muhammad Taqi Khan, the Deputy Nizamat of Jahangirnagar or Dacca on his son-in-law Murshid Quli Khan II, the Faujdarship of Rangpur on Sayid Ahmad Khan (nephew of Ali Vardi Khan), the Faujdari of Rajmahal or Akbarnagar on Zainu-d-din Ahmad (another nephew and son-in-law of Ali Vardi Khan); Nawazish Mhd. Khan (another nephew of Ali Vardi) was created Generalissimo of the Army. See Seiru-l-Mutakherin, Vol. II, p. 472. in the period of Shuja'u-d-daulah's Nizamat of Orissa, was a Muhrar attached to the latter's household.
109.1.7
At this time, he was invested with the Deputy Diwani of the Subah of Bengal, and being appointed Superintendent-General of the Affairs of the Nizamat and the Diwani, he effected considerable retrenchments in the public expenditure, and received the personal Mansab of a Hazari with the title of Rai Raian — a title which until that time no officer of the Bengal Nizamat or Diwani had enjoyed. And Haji Ahmad and Mirza Bandi were sons of Mirza Muhammad, who was a cup-bearer of A'zzam Shah, a son of Emperor Aurangzeb A'lamgir. Haji Ahmad, on the death of his father, was appointed Cup-bearer and Superintendent of the jewellery-stores of Sultan Muhammad A'zzam Shah. As A'zzam Shah fell in the struggle for the Em-
109.2.1
of a king, and placed on a throne, I was sent into the world by Providence to live and labour, not for myself, but for others; that it is my duty not to think of my own happiness, except so far as it is inseparably connected with the happiness of my people. It is the repose and prosperity of my subjects that it behoves me to consult; nor are these to be sacrificed to anything besides the demands of justice, the maintenance of the royal authority, and the security of the State. This man cannot penetrate into the consequence of the inertness he recommends, and he is ignorant of the evils that attend upon delegated power. It was not without reason that our great Saadi emphatically exclaimed :—' Cease to be kings; Oh, cease to be kings; or determine that your dominions shall be governed only by yourselves....' Alas! we are sufficiently disposed by nature to seek ease and indulgence; we need no such officious counsellors. Our wives too, are sure to assist us in treading the flowery path of rest and luxury." What a noble ideal of kingly duty!, and what a sad falling-off in later Moslem times! pire, at the time of this Revolution, the two brothers leaving the Imperial Capital proceeded to the Dakhin and thence to Odisa (Orissa), and entered there the service of Shuja'u-d-daulah. Adopting a policy of tact and prudence which "is a friend, and like water, takes to every hue," these two brothers got into the good graces of Shuja'u-d-daulah.
109.2.2
When Shuja'u-d-daulah acquired the Nizamat of the Subah of Bengal, Haji Ahmad became his intimate associate and councillor in all affairs of the Nizamat; whilst Mirza Bandi was invested with the Mansab and title of A'li Vardi Khan, and appointed Faujdar of the Chaklah of Akbarnagar (Rajmahal). Similarly, the Haji's eldest son, named Muhammad Riza, received the office of Daroghah or Superintendent of the Bajutrah of Murshidabad; his second son, Aga Muhammad Sa'id, was appointed Deputy Faujdar of Rangpur; whilst his youngest son, Mirza Muhammad Hashim, was invested with the Mansab and title of Hashim A'li Khan. Pir Khan, who during Shuja'u-d-daulah's stay at Burhanpur had rendered faithful services, and who from his youth to old age had passed his days in his company, was at this time invested with the Mansab and title of Shuja' Quli Khan, and given the Faujdari of the Port of Hugli, on the transfer of Ahsanul-lah Khan. Merit is no passport to worldly advancement, When times are propitous, failings seem accomplishments.
109.2.3
The new Faujdar of Hugli commenced exactions and oppressions. The Port of Hugli from his rapacity was ruined; and he commenced quarrelling with the European merchants. On the pretext of collecting the customs-duties of the Imperial Customs- House, he requisitioned troops from the Emperor, commenced hostility with the English, Dutch, and French, and levied Nazars and taxes. It is said that once unloading from English vessels bales of silk and cotton-stuffs, and placing these below the fort, he confiscated them. The English troops advancing from Calcutta, arrived near the fort. Shuja' Quli Khan finding himself an unequal match for them climbed down, when the English troops carried off their goods. The aforesaid Khan, writing to Nawab Shuja'u-d-daulah requisitioned troops to attack the English, and by cutting off supplies of Qasimbazar and Calcutta, he reduced them to straits. The Chief of the English Factory at Qasimbazar was compelled in consequence to arrange terms of peace, by agreeing to pay three laks of rupees as nazar to Shuja'u-d-daulah. The Chief of the English Factory in Calcutta, borrowing the nazarana money from the Calcutta bankers, remitted it to Shuja'u-d-daulah.
109.2.4
In short, as the good services of Shuja'u-d-daulah came to the notice of the Emperor through the medium of Khan Dauran Khan, in recognition thereof, the Nizamat of the Subah of Behar, on the transfer of Fakhru-d-daulah, brother of Raushanu-d-daulah Turabbaz Khan, was also conferred by the Emperor on Nawab Shuja'u-d-daulah. The aforesaid Nawab considering Muhammad A'li Vardi Khan to be a person of capacity and tact, appointed him to be his Deputy Governor of Behar, and sent him to 'Azimabad (Patna) with five thousand cavalry and infantry. A'li Vardi Khan, arriving in the Subah of Behar, associated with himself, in the administration, General Abdul Karim Khan, Chief of the Afghans of Darbhanga, and raised a levy of efficient troops. Entrusting the reins of authority over administrative and revenue affairs to the hands of Abdul Karim Khan, A'li Vardi Khan sent the former on an expedition against the Banjarah tribe, who were a class of marauders and murderers, and who in the guise of traders and travellers used to plunder the imperial domains and treasures. Abdul Karim Khan, subduing the Banjarah tribe, gained a large booty. Muhammad A'li Vardi, by chastising the Banjarah tribe, achieved a high reputation. And being aided by the Afghans, A'li Vardi advanced with his forces against the tracts of the Rajahs of Bitiah and Bhawarah, who were refractory and turbulent.
109.2.5
Their regions had never previously been trod by the feet of the armies of former Nazims, nor had their proud heads ever bended before to any of the former Subahdars. Indeed, they had never before paid the imperial revenues and taxes. After fighting with them incessantly, A'li Vardi Khan became victorious and triumphant. Raiding and pillaging their tracts, A'li Vardi Khan carried off a large booty, amounting to several laks, in specie and other effects. And settling with the Rajahs the amounts of tribute, presents and the imperial revenue, he raised an immense sum. The soldiery also were enriched by the booty, and the strength of Ali Vardi's administration increased. And drawing his forces against the Chakwar tribe, who had acquired a world-wide notoriety for their marauding propensities, Ali Vardi also extirpated them. Invading the tracts of the refractory and turbulent Zamindar of Bhojpur, and of Rajah Sundar Singh, Zamindar of Tikari, and of Namdar Khan Muin, who, sheltered by dense forests and rocks, had not cared for former Nazims, and had neglected to discharge loyal duties, and without coercion had never paid the Imperial revenue, Ali Vardi set about chastising every one of them, subdued their tracts thoroughly, levied the revenues from them to the fullest extent, and reduced them to thorough subjection. And similarly punishing other insolent rebels, Ali Vardi Khan placed the ring of submission on their ears.
109.2.6
And in a short period becoming master of immense treasures and a large army, Ali Vardi's power and prestige grew enormously. As 'Abdul Karim Khan held control over all the State affairs, he exercised absolute sway, and ignored Muhammad Ali Vardi Khan. Hence the latter becoming suspicious of the former, inveigled him by some device into his own house, and slaying him raised the standard of triumph. And through the agency of Muhammad Ishaq Khan, Diwan of the Imperial Khalisah, Ali Vardi Khan opened negociations with Qamru-d-din Khan, the Imperial Vizier, and also with other Imperial Ministers, and succeeded in obtaining directly from the Emperor the title of Mahabat Jang Bahadur, without Shuja'u-d-daulah's recommendation. Shuja'u-d-daulah, who reposed full confidence in Haji Ahmad and Ali Vardi Khan, viewed without misgivings this elevation of Ali Vardi's rank; but his son, Sarfaraz Khan, felt misgivings about it. On account of this difference in views, between the father and the son a coolness set in. Another son of Shuja'u-d-daulah by a different wife was Muhammad Taqi Khan. He was Deputy Nazim of Orissa, and was not only brave and bold but was also popular with the Army. Haji Ahmad and Ali Vardi Khan basing their intrigue on his rivalry contrived to bring about a rupture, advantageous to themselves, between the two brothers. When the plan of this intrigue was matured, Haji Ahmad secured the adhesion of Rai Raian 'Alam Chand and Jagatset Fateh Chand;
109.2.7
and the Triumvirate now waited for the development of their conspiracy. Shuja'u-d-daulah, by the advice of the Triumvirate, was induced not to entrust the control of any affair to Sarfaraz Khan. When the fibres of mistrust thus sown took root in the soil of the hearts of the son and the father, as well as of the two brothers, and these were about to germinate, Muhammad Taqi Khan, ascertaining the real origin of this misunderstanding, proceeded from Orissa to Bengal, to personally interview his father and brother. The Councillors of Shuja'u-d-daulah, finding the odds of the times evenly balanced, fanned strifes and fomented jealousies between the two brothers, so much so that both the latter prepared to fight. Muhammad Taqi Khan with his army rode out, and arrayed his force on a sandy plain, opposite to the Murshidabad Fort, on the other side of the river Bhagirati. Thence he advanced to interview his father, but did not plunder the City. And the army of Sarfaraz Khan was arranged in battle-array from Naktakhali to Shahnagar, and was ready to kindle the fire of war and slaughter. Secretly tempting by offers of bribe the commanders and officers of Muhammad Taqi's army, Sarfaraz Khan won them over to his side, and sending messages for Muhammad Taqi's capture, waited for the enemy, in the hope that when the two contending hosts would face each other in battle-array, his own officers would capture Muhammad Taqi and bring him in.
109.2.8
Muhammad Taqi Khan, who in bravery was the Rustam of his day, did not care for the enemy. The negociations for peace and war passed and repassed between the two brothers. When Nawab Shuja'u-d-daulah saw that affairs had taken a grave turn, he intervened, reconciled the brothers, and prevented their fighting. And out of regard for the feelings of Sarfaraz Khan and the Begams, rebuking several times Muhammad Taqi Khan, Shuja'u-d-daulah prohibited the latter from coming to see and salute him. At length, at the intercession of Sarfaraz Khan's mother, he pardoned Muhammad Taqi Khan, and permitted him to go back to the Subah of Orissa. But on arrival in Orissa, in the year 1147 A.H., owing to the witchcraft of the enemy, he died. On this, Murshid Quli Khan, surnamed Makhmur, who was a son-in-law of Shuja'u-d-daulah and was already Deputy Nazim of Jahangir-nagar (Dacca), and was a son of a merchant of the Port of Surat, and who in his writings and compositions, and in his poetical productions and caligraphy, enjoyed great excellence, was appointed Deputy Nazim of the Subah of Orissa.
109.3.1
During the Viceroyalty of Nawab Ja'far Khan, whilst the abovementioned Murshid Quli Khan stayed at Murshidabad, a person named Mir Habib, a native of Shiraz, spoke Persian very fluently, though he was not read in that language. By chance, Mir Habib arrived in the Port of Hugli, where he earned his livelihood by retailing the wares of Mughal merchants. Owing to his kindred mercantile pursuits, and also owing to his conversational powers, Mir Habib quickly ingratiated himself with Murshid Quli Khan, and entered the latter's service. When Nawab Ja'far Khan conferred the Governorship of Jahangir-nagar (Dacca) on Murshid Quli Khan, Mir Habib also went in the latter's company to Jahangir-nagar (Dacca), and was attached to the latter as his Deputy. By personally attending to minute details, and by adopting a policy of economy, Mir Habib curtailed the State expenditure on account of the Nawarah (war-vessels), the artillery, and the army, and thus rendered good services, and in consequence, shortly after, his official rank was raised. Finding the tract of Jahangir-nagar (Dacca) to be fertile, profit-yielding, and suited for trading business, he revived the system of Sauda-i-khas current during the Viceroyalty of Prince Azimu-sh-Shan, and by means of other exactions, both he and his Chief amassed wealth.
109.3.2
On the pretext of collecting the Imperial revenue, he induced Nuru-l-lah, Zamindar of Parganah Jalalpur, who was the leading Zamindar, together with other Zamindars, to attend his Kachiri (Court). Adroitly dismissing the other Zamindars, one after another, Mir Habib kept Nuru-l-lah under duress. At midnight, he permitted him to return home, escorted by a number of Afghans. The latter, at the instigation of Mir Habib, slew Nuru-l-lah, in a narrow and dark alley. Next morning, Mir Habib announced that Nuru-l-lah had fled, sent a detachment to his house, confiscated his treasures and jewelleries and effects and silk-stuffs, amounting in value to several lacs, as well as his Abyssinian male and female slaves. Mir Habib possessed himself of the above, and thus acquired aristocratic paraphernalia. Subsequently leaguing with Aqa Sadiq, Zamindar of Patpasar, who in artfulness and cunning was his match, Mir Habib sent him on an expedition against Tiprah. By chance the Aqa met the nephew of the Rajah of Tiprah, who having escaped from the control of his uncle was wandering away from his native country, and who at this time happened to stay within the Imperial dominions. The aforesaid Aqa considering his company very lucky kept him in his company, promising to instal him in the Zamindari. The Rajah's nephew, according to the saying, — "The hare of that country can assuredly catch the dog of that tract," —
109.3.3
guided the Aqa through the rocky defiles and river-fords, and led him to the country of Tiprah. The Rajah of Tiprah, who was careless and was unaware of the incursion of the Imperial army, was paralysed by this sudden on-rush of the Imperialists, and not having the capacity to fight fled to the summit of the hills. The tract of Tiprah, without any difficulty, fell into the hands of Mir Habib, who by fightings stormed the fort of Chandigadah, which was the residence of the Rajah. Capturing numerous booty, Mir Habib brought the tract of Tiprah within the Imperial domains. After completing the settlement of this tract, Mir Habib appointed Aqa Sadiq as Faujdar of Tiprah, and the Rajah's nephew as the Rajah, whilst he himself returned to Jahangirnagar (Dacca) with treasures, valuables and elephants. Murshid Quli Khan sent to Nawab Shuja'u-d-daulah an account of the conquest of Tiprah, together with the best specimens of the wares and silk-stuffs of that tract. The Nawab named that tract (of Tiprah) Raushanabad, and invested Murshid Quli Khan with the title of 'Bahadur' and conferred on Mir Habib the title of 'Khan.' In short, when the Deputy-Nizamat of the Subah of Odisah (Orissa) was bestowed on Murshid Quli Khan, the latter, on the recommendation of Nawab Shuja'u-d-daulah, was given by the Emperor the title of Rustam-Jang.
109.3.4
Observing the old age of his father, and fearing lest after the latter's death Rustam-Jang might fight against him, Sarfaraz Khan detained at Murshidabad as hostages Rustam-Jang's son, named Yahya Khan, and his wife, named Durdanah Begam. Although this incident caused some bitterness of feeling to Murshid Quli Khan, the latter had no alternative but to endure it in silence. Murshid Quli Khan with his army arrived in the Subah of Orissa, and appointed Mir Habibu-l-lah Khan to be his Deputy there, in the same way as the latter had been his Deputy at Jahangirnagar. By use of diplomacy, and by dint of statesmanship and energy, Mir Habib succeeded in chastising and reducing to order all refractory Zamindars of Orissa. He neglected no step towards the perfect organisation and settlement of Orissa, and effected a surplus in its revenue. During the commotion in Muhammad Taqi Khan's time, the Rajah of Parsutam had removed Jagannath, the Hindu God, from the limits of the Subah of Odisah (Orissa), and had guarded it on the summit of a hill across the Chilka lake. In consequence of the removal of the idol, there was a falling-off to the tune of nine laks of rupees in the Imperial revenue, accruing from pilgrims. Establishing friendly relations with Mir Habibu-l-lah Khan, and paying nazar to the Nazim of the time, Rajah Dand Deo brought back Jagannath the Hindu God to Parsutam (Puri), and re-established the worship of Jagannath at Puri.
109.3.5
An account of the worship of Jagannath has been already given in the text of this History. When the Deputy-Nizamat of Odisah (Orissa) was conferred on Murshid Quli Khan Rustam-Jang, the Deputy-Nizamat of the Chaklah of Jahangirnagar (Dacca) was bestowed on Sarfaraz Khan. The latter appointed as his Deputy-Governor Ghalib Ali Khan who was a scion of the Royal family of Persia, and deputed Ghalib Ali Khan to Dacca. Sarfaraz Khan also appointed Jaswant Rai, the late Nawab Jafar Khan's Secretary, and his own tutorguardian, to be the Diwan and Minister of that place, and sent him to Dacca, in company of Ghalib Ali Khan. And out of regard for Nafisah Begam, his sister, he bestowed the office of Superintendent of the Nawarah (war-vessels) on Murad A'li Khan, son of Syed Razi Khan. The control over Fiscal and Home affairs, and the management of Crown-lands, Jagirs, war-vessels, artillery, Accounts and Customs-house were all entrusted to Munshi Jaswant Rai. In that the aforesaid Munshi had been trained up by Nawab Ja'far Khan, by dint of honesty and integrity, by thorough attention to details and by ripe wisdom, he effected not only an increase in the State Revenue, but secured the happiness of the people. He completely abolished the system of Sauda-i-khas, and banished the exactions and innovations introduced by Mir Habib, during the regime of Murshid Quli Khan.
109.3.6
Putting forth laudable efforts to keep down the selling-rates of food-grains, and effecting cheapness in their prices, he threw open the western gate of the Fort of Jahangirnagar (or Dacca), which Nawab Amir-ul-Umara Shaistah Khan had closed, inscribing on it a prohibition to the effect that no one should open it, until he succeeded in reducing the price of food-grains to one seer of the Bazar weight per Dirham, as was current in the Nawab's time. From that time until now, no one else had been able to effect such cheapness in the rate of food-grains. He rendered the tract of Jahangirnagar (Dacca) fertile, like the garden of Iram, by sprinkling on it the waters of liberality, equity and justice; and in consequence, Sarfaraz Khan won a good name amongst all classes of his subjects. At the desire of Nafisah Begam, Murad Ali Khan was married to a daughter of Sarfaraz Khan, and was appointed Deputy-Governor of Jahangirnagar (Dacca) in the place of Ghalib A'li Khan. Murad Ali Khan now promoted Raj Balab, a clerk attached to the Admiralty, to the office of Peshkar thereof, and commenced oppressions. Munshi Jasunat Rai, who had acquired a good name amongst the people, apprehending that his reputation might be tarnished, resigned his office of Diwan, and the Province of Jahangirnagar or Dacca turned to desolation through the tyranny of the new oppressive Deputy Nazim.
109.3.7
Mirza Muhammad Sa'id, the second son of Haji Ahmad, who was on behalf of Sarfaraz Khan Faujdar of the Chaklah of Ghoraghat and Rangpur and Kuch Behar, desolated the Mahals of Rangpur by his exactions and oppressions, and acquiring the treasures of those whom he oppressed, he mobilised an army. Requisitioning troops from the Emperor, he marched with his troops against the Rajahs of Kuch Behar and Dinajpur. Those Rajas fancying they were masters of large armies, and also fancying that they were sheltered by numerous forests and rivers, had hitherto paid little heed to the authority of the Nazim. By dint of diplomacy and by use of force, and by wars and battles, Mirza Muhammad Sa'id conquered those tracts, and acquired possession of the treasures, buried hoards, jewelleries and effects of those Rajahs. Owing to the immense treasure — indeed the treasure of a Croesus— that thus fell into his hands, he acquired much power. After the conquest of Kuch Bihar, by humouring Haji Ahmad, on the recommendation of Nawab Shuja'u-d-daulah and Sarfaraz Khan, Mirza Muhammad Sa'id received the titles of ' Khan ' and ' Bahadur.'
109.4
Nawab Shuja'u-d-daulah, on the advice of his Triumvirate Council, deputed Sarfaraz Khan to chastise Badi'u-z-zaman, zamindar of Birbhum. Sheltered by rocks and forests and supported by numerous Afghans, this zamindar did not bend his head in submission to the Nazim, and failed to pay the revenue beyond the stipulated tribute. He had also diverted to dancing-parties and pleasures fourteen laks of revenue derived from the measured and cultivated lands, that had been endowed for the express purpose of helping the poor and the scholarly. The zamindar himself was plunged in dissipations and frivolities. On the ridges of Khubra Kandi and Lakra Khondah and of other hills and narrow rocky defiles, he had mounted strong guards, and cut off all ingress and egress of the Imperial troops and scouts, and he fancied the forest flanked by the hills to be a secure recess, in that no one could enter that tract without his passport. He had appointed his brother, Azam Khan, to administer his State, and his son, A'li Quli Khan, to command his army, and Naubat Khan to be his Diwan and Minister. Badi'u-z-zaman himself did no work, but wasted his time on flute-playing and on carousals. Sarfaraz Khan sent him a message, containing promises and rewards in the event of his submission to Nawab Shuja'u-d-daulah, and embodying also threats and punishments in the event of his recalcitrance and disloyalty. Subsequently, Sarfaraz Khan despatched via Bardwan his special confidantes, Khwajah Basant and Mir Sharfu-d-din, the second Paymaster-General, with a large army. Badi'u-z-zaman now prudently woke up from the slumber of vanity, and ten. dered his homage and submission. Inducing the aforesaid Mir and the above Khwajah to become his interceders, he sent through the latter a petition expressive of submission and loyalty, and subsequently in the company of the former he set out for Murshidabad. And after waiting on Sarfaraz Khan, through the introduction of Mir Sharfu-d-din, Badi'u-z-zaman was granted an audience by Nawab Shuja'u-d-daulah, who not only pardoned his past misdemeanour, but generously bestowed on him khila'ts. Badi'u-z-zaman agreed to pay three laks of rupees annually on account of the Imperial revenue, consented to abide by the ordinary procedures for payment of land-revenue and for execution of orders, and furnished as his surety Karatchand, zamindar of Bardwan. He was then allowed to return to Birbhum.
Towards the close of the year 1151 A.H., when Nadir Shah invaded the Imperial Capital, and Samsamu-d-daulah Khan-dauran fell in the battle against Nadir Shah, Nawab Shuja'u-d-daulah being ill and confined to bed permitted Yahya Khan and Durdanah Begam (son and wife respectively of Murshid Quli Khan) to go to Orissa, and proclaimed Sarfaraz Khan as his heir. Earnestly exhorting the latter to confide in Haji Ahmad, the Rai Raian and Jagatset, and always to respect their feelings, and entrusting to him control over the offices of the Nizamat, Nawab Shuja'u-d-din Khan died on the 13th Zilhaj of the aforesaid year. After laying to rest Shuja'u-d-daulah's corpse in the sepulchre which he (Shuja'u-d-daulah) had in his lifetime erected at Dehpara, opposite to the Fort and the City of Murshidabad, Sarfaraz Khan mounted the masnad of the Nizamat in the place of his father.