Muntakhab al-lubab 175: Transactions at Court.
Muntakhabu-l Lubáb, of Kháfí Khán (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) 175
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Transactions at Court.
175.1
[Text, vol. ii. p. 790.] Husain 'Ali Khan's letter communicating the terms of the peace, and asking for a confirmatory farman, reached the Emperor. Several well-wishers of the State urged that it was not well to admit the vile enemy to be overbearing partners in matters of revenue and government. So Farrukh Siyar rejected the treaty. [The Emperor makes several appointments to the Dakhin which Husain 'Ali does not carry into effect.] The news from the Dakhin increased the annoyance of the Emperor. In these evil days there was at Court a Kashmiri of low origin, named Muhammad Murad, an idle babbler of disreputable character, who was the common talk of everybody, high and low. In the reign of Bahadur Shah he had obtained, through the interest of Jahandar Shah, a mansab of 1000 and the title of Wakalat Khan. * * He was introduced to Farrukh Siyar, and, availing himself of the opportunity, * * he obtained such an ascendency over him that in a short time he received the title of Ruknu-d daula I'tikad Khan Farrukh Shahi, and an increase of his jagir from 1000 to 7000 and 10,000 horse. He became the Emperor's confidential adviser, and joined in recommending the overthrow of the rule of the Saiyids of Barha. Not a day passed without his receiving jewels of great value, ornamented weapons, dresses, or some great gift.
175.2
It was now resolved that Sarbuland Khan should be recalled from Patna, and Nizamu-l Mulk Fath Jang Bahadur from Muradabad, where he had chastised the rebels, and restored the district to peace and security. Raja Ajit Singh was also sent for from Ahmadabad. Hopes of high promotion and royal favour were held out to them, and they all conspired together for the overthrow of the Barha Saiyids. The strangest part of the matter was that when Nizamu-l Mulk was recalled from Muradabad, he received no other appointment; but the jagir which he there held was taken from him, the name of Muradabad was changed to Ruknabad, it was erected into a distinct suba, and the subadari and the jagir were granted as an altamgha to Ruknu-d daula I'tikad Khan. When these nobles assembled, Raja Ajit Singh received the title of Maharaja and other honours, but he became the ally and companion of Saiyid 'Abdu-llah Khan.
175.3
Nizamu-l Mulk and Sarbuland Khan were at first led to expect the appointments of wazir and mir-bakhshi. The Emperor spoke to them both about removing the obnoxious minister Saiyid 'Abdu-llah Khan from office, and they replied, "Your Majesty can give the portfolio of wazir to whichever of us you deem most capable; and if Saiyid 'Abdu-llah shows any resistance after his removal, he shall be brought to punishment." The Emperor replied, "I know of no person more fit for the post of wazir than I'tikad Khan." Every exalted noble of Iran and of Turan, when he heard that it was the Emperor's design to bestow the important office of wazir, with every sign of partiality, upon such a prating, base-born, infamous person, felt the greatest disgust. They were heart-broken, but they were not disposed to obey and submit to I'tikad Khan. In the midst of this uneasy feeling the 'I'd-i fitr occurred, and nearly seventy thousand horse and foot went in the royal procession to the 'I'd-gah. There was great apprehension among all classes, in expectation that Saiyid 'Abdu-llah Khan was about to be made prisoner. On that day Saiyid 'Abdu-llah had not with him more than four or five thousand horse. * * After this Saiyid 'Abdu-llah began to enlist soldiers. In former days he entertained few except Saiyids of Barha, because he had full reliance on their courage and devotion; but he now gave orders for the enlistment of twenty thousand men of all tribes.
175.4
When this disturbing intelligence reached Amiru-l umara Husain 'Ali in the Dakhin, his apprehensions were aroused, and he resolved to proceed to Court. But before doing so he resolved upon another plan, and * * wrote to Court for information. Afterwards he received intelligence that peace had been made between the Emperor and Saiyid 'Abdu-llah; that Raja Ajit Singh, who had been called to Court, had received the hereditary title of Maharaja and other royal favours, through the help and countenance of Saiyid 'Abdu-llah; that, although his daughter was affianced to the Emperor, he was in close accord and intimacy with the Saiyid, and that a strict and lasting agreement of amity had been made between them. At the end of the month of Shawwal the Emperor, in accord with I'tikad Khan, Khan-dauran, and other well-disposed nobles, went to the house of Kutbu-l Mulk Saiyid 'Abdu-llah, to pay him a visit. They then made friends together, swore to an absence of animosity, and mutually made excuses for past behaviour, and for the ill-feelings that had been entertained. The Emperor then returned. Ikhlas Khan, an old and devoted friend of the two brothers, was sent to the Dakhin, to give a feeling of assurance to Amiru-l umara.