Gul-i Rahmat 1.1.4

1.1.4

Zabita Khan went off in great distress from Gangapur to see Shujau-d daula, and to solicit his assistance in obtaining the release of his family. After talking over the matter, Shuja'u-d daula postponed any action until after the arrival of Hafiz Rahmat. Zabita Khan wrote repeatedly to Hafiz Rahmat, begging him to come quickly. * * The chiefs of Katehr suffered much from the inclemency of the climate of Gangapur, and yielding to their solicitations, Hafiz Rahmat proceeded quickly to Shahabad, at the beginning of the year 1186 A.H. (1772 A.D.), with three or four thousand men, horse and foot. When he approached, Shuja'u-d daula and the General Sahib went forth to meet him and pay him due respect. After they had sat down together, they talked about the release of Zabita Khan's family, and of the settlement of his affairs with the Mahrattas. After much debate, Shuja'u-d daula and the General Sahib sent their wakils with some officers of Hafiz Rahmat to the Mahratta sardars. A great deal was said at the interview; but at length the Mahrattas sent a message to the effect that they had expended fifty lacs of rupees, and that they would not give up the family of Zabita Khan until this sum of money was paid, nor would they loosen their hold upon his territory or the country of Katehr. The wakils had several meetings, and the Mahrattas at length agreed to take forty lacs; but they demanded as security for payment a deed under the seal of Shuja'u-d daula.