Muntakhab al-lubab 151: Death of Bahadur Shah.

151

[Text, vol. ii. p. 683.] The festival of His Majesty's accession was celebrated as usual. * * * About the 20th Muharram, 1123 (Feb. 18, 1711 a.d.), when the Emperor had passed his seventieth lunar year, there was a great change perceptible in him, and in twenty-four hours it was evident that he was marked for death. Prince 'Azimu-sh Shan, who had come to visit his father, when he heard that all the (other) three Princes had suddenly arrived, was so alarmed that he gave no thought to the condition of his father; but, not seeing how to secure himself, he thought it advisable to go away. On the night of the 8th of the month the Emperor died, and was buried near the tomb of Kutbu-d din, four or five kos from Dehli. He had reigned four years and two months. At the end of the four years the treasure of thirteen lacs of rupees, to which he succeeded, had all been given away. The income of the Empire during his reign was insufficient to meet the expenses, and consequently there was great parsimony shown in the Government establishments, but especially in the royal household, so much so that money was received every day from the treasure of Prince 'Azimu-sh Shan to keep things going.