Muntakhab al-lubab 175.3

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.