Chahar gulzar-i Shujaʿi 8: The English.

8

How can I sufficiently extol the courage, generosity, and justice of the English? In bravery Rustam cannot be compared to them, because, with only 10,000 foot soldiers, they marched from Maksudabad to 'Azimabad, fighting against the army of Kasim 'Ali Khan, consisting of 100,000 horse and foot, and never showed their backs in battle. In the same manner they engaged four times with the armies of Shuja'u-d daula and the Emperor, which amounted to more than 100,000 infantry and horse, and yet never retreated from the field. Moreover, they have fought against the Mahrattas and Ghkzia-d din Khan, and always with a similar result. Hatim Tai, who is said to have been the very model of generosity, had not perhaps such a liberal mind and magnanimous spirit as they have, because, after obtaining victory over Siraju-d daula, they gave the provinces of Bengal and 'Azimabad to Ja'far 'Ali Khan, and afterwards to Kasim 'Ali Khan, and after conquering the provinces of Oudh and Allahabad, they restored them both to Nawab Shuja'u-d daula. Naushirwan is mentioned as most just and equitable, but in justice and equity the English are not inferior to him. When they entered the city of Lucknow, and other cities and towns in the provinces of Oudh and Allahabad, as conquerors, they did not hurt there even an ant, and in no way injured or troubled any person. Notwithstanding that many turbulent and seditious characters instigated them, and pointed out to them the riches of the people, told them that certain bankers possessed great wealth, and urged that it should be exacted from them, yet these righteous people allowed no mischief to be done, but on the contrary, punished these low informers, and cautioned them against spelling such words again. They strictly ordered their soldiers to commit no act of oppression or extortion upon any individual. Mr. Hooper was long a Resident at the Court of Nawab Shuja'u-d daula, and yet, during the period of seven or eight years he was so accredited, neither he himself nor any of his servants committed a single act of violence against any person. Monsieur Laintin (?), a Firingi, who was one of the greatest of Nawab Shuja'u-d daula's followers, conducted himself in the same exemplary manner; and although he sent Syam Lal, his diwan, to prison at the instigation of the diwan's enemies, still he gave him no unnecessary pain. In short, the goodness of these people is beyond all bounds, and it is on account of their own and their servants' honesty that they are so fortunate and wealthy.