Muntakhab al-lubab 139: Titles. Character of Bahadur Shah.

139

[vol. ii. p. 627.] Since the rise of the House of Timur it had been the rule that one and the same title should not be given to two persons. * * But now the ugly practice arose of giving the same title to two or more persons, and in the same way the grants of mansabs, naubat and nakára, elephants, the jigha and sar-pech were no longer regulated by the rank and dignity of the recipient.
For generosity, munificence, boundless good nature, extenuation of faults, and forgiveness of offences, very few monarchs have been found equal to Bahadur Sháh in the histories of past times, and especially in the race of Timur. But though he had no vice in his character, such complacency and such negligence were exhibited in the protection of the state and in the government and management of the country, that witty sarcastic people found the date of his accession in the words, Sháh-i be-khabr, "Heedless King." He often sat up all night, and used to sleep to the middle of the day; so in marching his people had to suffer great inconvenience; for many poor fellows were unable to find their tents in dark nights when the army and baggage were scattered about, and had to pass the night in front of the royal tent, or the drum room or offices or the bazars.