Muntakhab al-lubab 156: Jahandar Shah Emperor.
Muntakhabu-l Lubáb, of Kháfí Khán (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) 156
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Jahandar Shah Emperor.
156.1
[Text, vol. ii. p. 688.] Jahandar, being thus freed from his three brothers, became the monarch of Hindustan. He sent Muhammad Karim and Prince Humayun Bakht, who were only nine or ten years old, the two sons of Jahan Shah, and the sons of Rafi'u-sh Shan, to the fort of Dehli. He ordered Rustam Dil Khan and Allah Wardi Khan, who had been guilty of open and secret actions against him, and Mukhlis Khan, whose offence was not manifest, to be subjected to various punishments and imprisoned. Mahabat Khan and * * other amirs, more than twenty in number, were ordered to be confined in chains, and some were put to the rack and other tortures. Their houses also were seized. * * Prince Muhammad Karim, after the death of 'Azimu-sh Shan, fled, and concealed himself in the house of one of the unfortunate men. He took off his ring and sent it for sale, and this led to his capture. He was brought before Jahandar, who was unwilling to kill him; but being persuaded by Zu-l fikar Khan and Shah Kudrat Allah Fakir (may the curse of God be on him!), he put him to death.
156.2
In the brief reign of Jahandar, violence and debauchery had full sway. It was a fine time for minstrels and singers and all the tribes of dancers and actors. There seemed to be a likelihood that kazis would turn toss-pots, and muftis become tipplers. All the brothers and relatives, close and distant, of Lal Kunwar, received mansabs of four or five thousand, presents of elephants, drums and jewels, and were raised to dignity in their tribe. Worthy, talented, and learned men were driven away, and bold impudent wits and tellers of facetious anecdotes gathered round. Among the stories told is the following.
156.3
The brother of Lal Kunwar, Khushhal Khan, who had received a mansab of 5000 and 3000 horse, was named Subadar of Agra. Zu-l fikar Bakhshiu-l Mulk purposely made a delay of several days in the preparation of the farman and other deeds. Lal Kunwar complained of this to Jahandar, and he asked Zu-l fikar Khdn what was the cause of the delay in the drawing out of the documents. Zu-l fikar Khan was very free-spoken to Jahandar, and he replied, "We courtiers have got into the bad habit of taking bribes, and we cannot do any business unless we get a bribe." Jahdndar Shah smiled, and asked what bribe he wanted from Lai Kunwar, and he said a thousand guitar-players and drawing masters [ustdd-i nakkdshi). When the Emperor asked what he could want with them, he replied, "You give all the places and offices of us courtiers to these men, and so it has become necessary for us to learn their trade." Jahanddr smiled, and the matter dropped.
156.4
Another story about him was spoken of in society, and has become notorious from city to city. He used to go out sometimes in a cart with a mistress and some companions to enjoy himself in the markets and drinking shops. One night he and his favourite went out in this way, and both drank so much that they became drunk and senseless. On arriving at the door of the palace, Lai Kunwar was so drunk that when she got out she took no notice whatever of the Emperor, but went to bed and slept heavily. The Emperor, who was perfectly helpless, remained fast asleep in the cart, and the driver drove home and put the cart away. When the servants saw that the Emperor was not with Lai Kunwar, they were alarmed, and having roused her up, they inquired what had become of him. Lai Kunwar recovered sufficient sense to see that the Emperor was not by her side, and fell a-crying. People went running about in all directions till the Emperor was found in the cart. Daud Khan, who was deputy of Zu-l fikar Khan in the subas of the Dakhin, exercised such tyranny as is quite incapable of relation. Sambha Chand, who was called the diwdn and manager of Zu-l fikar Khan, used such filthy obscene language that the breath of his foul mouth threw decent men into agony and disgust. Night and day was passed in devotion to the lusts of this vile world.
156.5
Two or three months only had passed, when it became known that Farrukh Siyar was at Patna preparing for war, and that he was strongly supported by the Saiyids of Barha. In Rabi'u-s sani, Jahandar Shah proceeded from Lahore to Dehli. Kalich Khan, son of Ghazio-d din Khan Firoz Jang, was a man of courage, action, and intelligence. His mansab had been taken from him by Bahadur Shah, through heedlessness and want of appreciation of his merits, and he retired from Court in disgrace. He was now restored, and received a mansab of 5000. * *