Muntakhab al-lubab 127: Prince Muhammad A'zam Shah claims the Crown.
Muntakhabu-l Lubáb, of Kháfí Khán (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) 127
- Language
- English
Prince Muhammad A'zam Shah claims the Crown.
127.1
[Text, vol. ii. p. 566.] Prince Muhammad A'zam Shah, having taken leave of his father, was proceeding to his governorship of Malwa. He had travelled about twenty kos from the army, when one evening the intelligence of the Emperor's death reached him. On the same day he left his baggage and equipments, and with some of the chief nobles and an escort, he set off with all speed for the army. On arriving there, he entered the great tent. All the nobles came forth to meet him, and to console and sympathize with him, except Asad Khan and Hamid Khan, who were attending to the business of mourning and watching inside. After the burial was over, Jamdatu-l Mulk Asad Khan and other nobles and officers offered their condolences. An inspection was made of the amount of treasure, jewels, artillery, and effects. What was capable of being removed was separated and placed under the charge of vigilant officers, to provide the means of carriage and the supplies necessary for a journey. Hindi and Persian astrologers fixed on the 10th Zi-l hijja as the day for ascending the throne.
127.2
Prince Bedar Bakht, who had been left at Ahmadabad in charge of his government, arrived. Ibrahim Khan Subadar also thought of coming, but an order was issued for his going to the frontier of Malwa, there to await further orders. He was directed not to be precipitate, but to await the arrival of the new monarch. The author of this work was at that time in the company of Muhammad Murad Khan, who was Waki'-nigar and Sawanih-nigar of all the province of Ahmadabad, and was faujdar of the sarkar of Thanesar and Kudra. On the 9th Zi-l hijja Murad Khan received a robe, on taking leave of Prince Bedar Bakht, and went home. Just then some servants of Ibrahim Khan Nazim came to summon him. When he waited on Ibrahim Khan, and the latter became aware of his having received a robe from Bedar Bakht, he asked if the Prince had received any intelligence from his father, and in what condition the Prince was. Murad Khan replied that he did not know of any fresh news, and the Prince's health appeared to be as usual. Ibrahim Khan then placed in the hands of Murad Khan a letter, which he had received at Ahmadabad on the 10th from his vakil at Ahmadnagar, informing him of the sad event which had occurred, and said, "You must this very moment go to the Prince with the letter and offer our condolence."
127.3
Murad Khan went home, changed his robe, and went to wait upon the Prince. He found that the Prince was asleep; but considering the pressing nature of his mission, he told the eunuch on duty that he must awake the Prince as cautiously as he could. As soon as the Prince was aroused, he was told that Murad Khan was anxious to see him, and had caused him to be awoke. The Prince had received information of the Emperor's illness, and he asked if Murad Khan still wore the robe which had been presented to him, and the eunuch replied that he was dressed in a fresh robe of white. The Prince's eyes filled with tears, and he sent for Murad Khan into a private room. The Khan placed in his hand the letter which had arrived, and offered his own and Ibrahim Khan's condolences. After that the Prince said to Murad Khan, "You know full well that the realm of Hindustan will now fall into anarchy. People did not know the value of the Emperor. I only hope that Heaven will direct matters as I wish, and that the Empire will be given to my father."
127.4
Ibrahim Khan afterwards was in doubt as to what Prince's name was to be recited in the khutba on the day of the 'I'du-z zuha, and it was decided that after the rising of the sun, and before the news of Aurangzeb's death was spread abroad, the khutba should be read in Aurangzeb's name in the 'I'dgah. Ibrahim Khan ranged himself among the partisans of A'zam Shah, and he resolved that if, as he expected, instructions should come for him to accompany Prince Bedar Bakht, he would assemble his forces and would hasten with the Prince to Agra. In fact, if Muhammad A'zam Shah had not been mistrustful, and forbidden it, he (Ibrahim Khan) would have helped Prince Bedar Bakht on his way. Mukhtar Khan, father-in-law of Bedar Bakht, was Subadar of Agra. He had nine krors of rupees, besides ashrafis and presentation money (rupiya-i gharib nawaz), amounting to as much as five hundred tolas in weight; and he had uncoined gold and silver in the shape of vessels. Baki Khan, the commander of the fortress, who had the treasure in his charge, designed to surrender the treasure and the keys of the fortress to whichever of the heirs of the kingdom should present himself (Ibrahim Khan's plan) was the right and advisable course to pursue; but what God had ordained came to pass.