Gul-i Rahmat 1.2.3

1.2.3

After much parley Sindhia agreed to release his prisoner for a ransom of two lacs of rupees; and on payment of the money, Ahmad Khan obtained his liberty. Sindhia then marched off towards Dehli; Háfiz Rahmat and Shuja'u-d daula, by way of precaution, remained some days at the same place, and the two had frequent interviews. Háfiz Rahmat sent Muhammad Khán and 'Abdu-llah Khán * * to require from Shujá'u-d daula the return of the bond for forty lacs, in accordance with the verbal promise made by Sháh Madan, his wakíl. Shujá'u-d daula denied that he had ever made any promise to return it, and that Sháh Madan could never have made such an offer. Háfiz Rahmat's friends urged that Shuja'u-d daula had written a letter promising to faithfully adhere to the verbal arrangements made by Sháh Madan. They then required that Sháh Madan should be brought forward, that he might be questioned upon the point. Shujá'u-d daula sent for him, and after trying to bias him, asked what it was that he had said to Háfiz Rahmat about the bond. Sháh Madan was one of the honourable Saiyids of Sháhábád, and deeming a lie to be derogatory to his honour, he spoke the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, saying, "In accordance with the directions of His Highness, I made a promise for the restoration of the bond." Shuja'u-d daula got into a rage, and said it was all a lie and a conspiracy, for he had never uttered a word of such a promise.