[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) › 160 # Muntakhab al-lubab 160: Personal to the Author. Muntakhabu-l Lubáb, of Kháfí Khán (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) 160 - **Language:** English ### [160](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot.160) \[vol. ii. p. 726.\] I have already said in my Preface, that it is the duty of an historian to be faithful, to have no hope of profit, no fear of injury, to show no partiality on one side, or animosity on the other, to know no difference between friend and stranger, and to write nothing but with sincerity. But in these changeful and wonderful times of Farrukh Siyar Badshah, \* \* men have shown a partiality or an animosity to one side or the other exceeding all bounds. They have looked to their own profit and loss, and turned the reins of their imagination accordingly. The virtues of one side they have turned into faults, while they have shut their eyes to the faults of the other—passing all the bounds of moderation. The writer of these leaves, who, following his own inclination, has wasted his days in authorship, has not been partial either to friends or strangers, and has flattered neither nobles nor wazirs in the hope of reward. What he himself saw, what he heard from the tongues of men who from time to time were the associates of Muhammad Farrukh Siyar, and from the Saiyids who were his companions at the banquet table and in battle, that he has honestly committed to writing, after endeavouring to arrive at the truth when statements varied. But as notes of various occurrences and transactions did not reach the author, and as, through distress and the unfriendliness of fortune, he was unable to procure paper for his rough drafts, and as discrepancies in the various statements became greater, if it should appear that in any place the author differs in any particulars from other histories and writers, who themselves may not be free from partiality, and as variations will appear in the most trustworthy histories, he begs that his stories being excused, they may not be made a target for the arrows of censure, but that the pen of kindness may be drawn over his hasty statements. - [Previous: 159](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot.159) - [Next: 161](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot.161) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot.160](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot.160) · Pramāṇa