[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Mughals (1526–1857)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal) › [Later Mughals (1707–1857)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later) › [Muntakhab al-lubāb](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab) › [Muntakhabu-l Lubab, of Khafi Khan (Elliot & Dowson, extracts)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot) › 130 # Muntakhab al-lubab 130: Shah 'Alam (Bahadur Shah). Muntakhabu-l Lubáb, of Kháfí Khán (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) 130 - **Language:** English ### Shah 'Alam (Bahadur Shah). ### [130.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot.130.1) \[vol. ii. p. 573.\] An account must now be given of the proceedings of Shah 'Alam Bahadur Shah. The late Emperor had appointed Mun'im Khan, a very able man of business, to the management of Kabul. He had shown great devotion and fidelity to Shah 'Alam, so that the Prince placed in his hands the management of his jagirs in the province of Lahore, and had recommended him for the diwani of the province to the Emperor, who appointed him to that office. When Mun'im Khan received intelligence of the continued illness of the Emperor, in his faithfulness to Shah 'Alam, he busied himself in making preparations in the countries lying between Lahore and Peshawar, finding means of transport, collecting camels and bullocks, and providing things necessary for carrying on a campaign, so as to be ready at the time of need. ### [130.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot.130.2) On the 7th Zi-l hijja the news of Aurangzeb's death reached Peshawar, and the Prince immediately prepared to set out. Next day a letter came from Mun'im Khan, offering congratulations upon the Prince's accession to royalty, and urging him to come quickly. Orders were given for the march, and next day the Prince started, making no delay, accompanied by his nobles, except Fathu-llah Khan, a man of great bravery lately appointed to Kabul, who declined to accompany him. Orders were given that Jan-nisar Khan, who was only second in courage to Fathu-llah Khan, should go with five or six thousand horse to the neighbourhood of Agra, to join Prince 'Azimu-sh Shan. Orders also were sent calling Prince Mu'izzu-d din from his government of Thatta, and A'azzu-d din from Multan, where he was acting as the deputy of his father. Other presumed adherents were also sent for. ### [130.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot.130.3) Shah 'Alam proceeded by regular marches to Lahore. Mun'im Khan came forth to meet him, paid his homage, offered forty lacs of rupees, and presented the soldiers, artillery and equipments that he had busied himself in collecting directly he had heard of the death of Aurangzeb. Shah 'Alam appointed him wazir. At the end of Muharram, 1119 (April, 1707), the Prince encamped at Lahore. There he remained over the new moon of Safar, and gave orders for the coining of money and reading the khutba in his name. The nobles in his retinue presented their offerings and paid their homage. \* \* Directions were given that the new rupee should be increased half a masha in weight, and lacs were accordingly coined of that weight; but as in the payment of tankhwah, and in commercial transactions, it was received at only the old rate, the new rule was discontinued. ### [130.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot.130.4) Prince Muhammad Mu'izzu-d din and his son A'azzu-d din now arrived. \[Great distribution of honours and mansabs.\] A letter was received from Prince Muhammad 'Azim, stating that \* \* he had raised more than twenty thousand horse, and was hastening to reach Agra before Prince Bedar Bakht. News also arrived that Agra had been secured, that Mukhtar Khan had been placed in confinement, and that Baki Khan, the commandant of the fort, put off surrendering the treasure with the excuse that he would wait till His Majesty arrived. Spies and news-writers reported that Baki Khan had written with great humility to Prince Muhammad A'zam, that although the fort and the treasures belonged to both the heirs to the crown, he would surrender them to whichever arrived first. There was not a single person who doubted that, comparing the distance of Peshawar with the difficulties in the way of A'zam Shah, Shah 'Alam would arrive before him. ### [130.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot.130.5) On Shah 'Alam arriving at Dehli, \* \* the commandant sent the keys of the fortress with his offering, and many others made their allegiance. At the beginning of Rabi'u-l awwal he started for Agra, and reached the environs of that city about the middle of the month, where he was met by his son, Muhammad 'Azim, and by Muhammad Karim, the son of Prince 'Azim. Baki Khan gave up the keys of the fortress, with the treasure, for which he received great favour and rewards. According to one account, there were nine krors of rupees, in rupees and ashrafis, besides vessels of gold and silver, which was what was left remaining of the twenty-four krors of rupees amassed by Shah Jahan, after what had been expended by Aurangzeb during his reign, principally in his wars in the Dakhin. According to another account, including the presentation money, which consisted of ashrafis and rupees of 100 to 300 tolas' weight, specially coined for presents, and the ashrafis of twelve mashas and thirteen mashas of the reign of Akbar, the whole amounted to thirteen krors. An order was given for bringing out directly four krors of rupees. Three lacs were to be given to each of the royal Princes, altogether nine lacs, three lacs to Khan-zaman and his sons, one lac to the Saiyids of Barha, one lac to Aghar Khan and his Mughals. In the same way the officers in his retinue, and the old servants, soldiers, \[and others, received gratuitous additions of pay and donations\]. Altogether two krors were distributed. \* \* --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot.130](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot.130) · Pramāṇa