Muntakhab al-lubab 158: Reign of Sultan Muhammad Farrukh Siyar, Son of 'Azimu-sh Shan, Son of Bahadur Shah, Fourteenth in Descent from Amir Timur.
Muntakhabu-l Lubáb, of Kháfí Khán (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) 158
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158
[Vol. ii. p. 707.] When Prince 'Azimu-sh Shan, eldest son of Bahadur Shah, left the suba of Bengal, to proceed to the Dakhin, in obedience to the summons of the Emperor Aurangzeb, he placed his middle son, Farrukh Siyar, as his deputy in the suba of Bengal, * * and Farrukh Siyar remained acting as deputy of his father in Bengal until Bahadur Shah returned from the Dakhin to Lahore. In the year 1122 A.H. (1710 A.D.), in the fifth year of the reign, the suba of Bengal was taken from Farrukh Siyar, and given to A'azzu-d daula Khan-khanan. Farrukh Siyar was recalled to Court, and starting on his journey, he got as far as 'Azimabad, i.e. Patna. For personal appearance, and for intelligence, he was not held in the same esteem by his father as his elder brother, Muhammad Karim, or his younger brother, Muhammad Humayun Bakht. So his coming to Court was disagreeable to his father. On reaching Patna, Farrukh Siyar, alleging a want of money and the approach of the rainy season, made a stay in the environs of that city. * *
When Farrukh Siyar received intelligence of the death of Bahadur Shah, he caused the khutba to be read and coins to be struck in the name of 'Azimu-sh Shan. * *
Husain 'Ali Khan Barha was acting as deputy of 'Azimu-sh Shan in the subadari of Patna, but at this time he had gone out into the country to punish some robbers. When he heard that the name of 'Azimu-sh Shan had been placed in the khutba and on the coins, before the defeat of his three brothers had been ascertained, he felt very sorry for and suspicious of Farrukh Siyar. The Prince, on his side, had observed the high courage of the Barha Saiyids, and the sway of Husain 'Ali Khan in that suba had deeply impressed him. He addressed kind and friendly letters to Husain, inviting him to his side. The mother of Farrukh Siyar also interceded with Husain 'Ali, and promises and engagements having been made, doubt and suspicion were changed into brotherly concord.
The intelligence of the death of 'Azimu-sh Shan, and of the victory of Jahandar Shah reached Patna. Thereupon Farrukh Siyar, in the beginning of Rabi'u-l awwal, 1123 A.H., struck coins, and had the khutba read in his name, and day by day he entered into closer relations with Husain 'Ali. Saiyid 'Abdu-llah Khan, otherwise known as Hasan 'Ali Khan, was Subadar of Allahabad, and during these troubles about the succession the treasure of Bengal had come into his possession. He was considered a man of courage and judgment. Some intimations of his suspicion and mistrust, and of his want of obedience to the profligate Jahandar, reached Farrukh Siyar. So the Prince wrote him re-assuring letters, informing him of the compact he had made with his brother Husain 'Ali. He also gave him permission to retain the treasure and to enlist troops. Husain 'Ali also wrote what was necessary on the subject, and removed all doubt from his mind. After that the two brothers, who were chiefs of the brave Barha Saiyids, worked heart and soul to assist Farrukh Siyar. New engagements were openly and secretly exchanged, and they set about making preparations for the great emprise, with hearts full of hope and in union with each other.