Firishta's History (Gulshan-i Ibrāhīmī) 37.3.2

37.3.2

If your Majesty can put equal confidence in your nobles, and can depend as much upon the love of your people as Alexander was enabled to do, you may then venture "to carry your scheme into execution ; if not, we cannot well reconcile it to reason." The King, after musing awhile, said, "What you have told me bears on it the face of sincerity and truth ; but what availeth all this power in armies, in wealth, and in kingdoms, if I content myself with what I already possess, and do not employ it in acquiring fame and glory?" Mullik Alla-ool-Moolk replied, "There are two undertakings in which the King's treasure may be expended to good purpose. The first is, the conquest of the southern kingdoms of Hindoostan, such as Runtunbhore, Chittoor, Jalwur, and Chundery ; and the second, the reduction of the south-eastern provinces as far as the sea, and on the north-west as far as Lumghan and Kabul, so as to form a barrier to protect India from the invasions of the Moguls. This," said the chief magistrate, "would secure the peace of Hindoostan, and procure to the King immortal honour, by bestowing happiness upon his people ; an object of greater importance than if he should consume the world in the flames of war.