Muntakhab al-lubab 176: Ninth Year of the Reign, 1131 A.H. (1719 A.D.).
Muntakhabu-l Lubáb, of Kháfí Khán (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) 176
- Language
- English
Ninth Year of the Reign, 1131 A.H. (1719 A.D.).
176.1
[Text, vol. ii. p. 749.] The opinions and resolutions of the Emperor never remained steady to one course. Now he was resolved upon peace and amity, and now upon the degradation recommended by evil counsellors. * * Saiyid 'Abdu-llah Khan had engaged nearly twenty thousand men, and day by day the dissension and rupture between him and the Emperor grew wider. * * Letters arrived from Husain 'Ali, representing his wish to come to Court, and complaining that the climate of the Dakhin did not agree with him. * * On the other hand, letters reached him from his brother urging him to come quickly to Court. So, on the 15th Shawwal, in the seventh (sic) year of the reign, he sent forward his brother, Saifu-d din 'Ali Khan, with four or five thousand horse, as an advanced force, to Burhanpur, with directions to collect the materials of war and artillery. Amiru-l umara Husain 'Ali received many letters in succession from his brother, Kutbu-l Mulk Saiyid 'Abdu-llah. At the end of Zi-l hijja, he left Aurangabad, and, after halting a week for making necessary arrangements, at the beginning of Muharram, 1131 Hijra, having put his artillery in order, and done his best to secure the good-will of the amirs and the Mahrattas, he with * * * commenced his march upon Dehli. * * He placed the fort of Malhir, * * the fort of Salir, and two or three other forts, in charge of men of his own.
176.2
* * Nearly sixteen thousand Mahrattas marched with him under the command of Khandu Daphariya, who was one of the best generals of Raja Sahu, and was his Subadar of Khandesh. Santa, and several other Mahratta chiefs, went with him. * * On the 22nd Muharram he marched from Burhanpur, and went on until he crossed the Nerbadda at Akbarpur, where he met Ikhlas Khan, who had been sent from Court to re-assure him, and prevent his march. * * They had an interview near the fort of Mandu, * * and Husain 'Ali became more eager than before to reach the capital. * * On the 14th Safar he reached Ujjain. Here he heard, from the Faujdar of Gwalior, [of the pacification and oaths of amity between the Emperor and Saiyid 'Abdu-llah]. Then, in open darbar, he said, "If the Emperor no longer retains any animosity and rancour against us, and will deal with us kindly and without malice, we have no other desire but to prove our obedience and loyalty. After paying my homage, and re-assuring myself about sundry matters, I will quickly return to the Dakhin." * * But on the second or third day after, Husain 'Ali Khan heard from trustworthy and confidential correspondents how the private talk was that the Emperor's proceedings were merely devices and snares that he was weaving to catch fools.
176.3
Other letters also informed Saiyid Husain 'Ali that Sarbuland Khan, in consequence of the resumption of his jagir, and the transfer of his prosperous lands to Mir Jumla, and through want of money, inability to pay his soldiers, and pressing demands, had retired from service, resigned his mansab, and had given up his elephants, horses, and household effects to his creditors, with the intention of becoming a religious mendicant. Saiyid 'Abdu-llah Khan, having heard of this, went to him and endeavoured to console him. He furnished him with money, elephants, and horses, and appointed him Subadar of Kabul, thus binding him to him by the obligations of kindness. Nizamu-l Mulk also, through the hard usage of times favourable only to the base, was called from Muradabad, with the expectation of being made wazir, but his office and his jagir were given to I'tikad Khan. He was disgusted and burnt with rage against the worthless (favourite). Saiyid 'Abdu-llah did his best to console him, and promised him the subadari of Malwa. I'timadu-d daula, who had come to Court without leave or order, fell into disgrace, and was deprived of his mansab. Saiyid 'Abdu-llah consoled him also. He likewise won over fortune-seekers by rendering them assistance, and inquiring about their affairs. Khan-dauran, who from the beginning had been reckoned as an associate of Mir Jumla, and one of the Emperor's friends, was also brought over to the side of the minister.
176.4
It was now announced that the Emperor was going out hunting on a certain day, and that as he returned he would pay a visit to Saiyid 'Abdu-llah. Maharaja Ajit Singh, although he was father-in-law to the Emperor, had become a firm ally of the minister. His house was situated in the road leading to Saiyid 'Abdu-llah's, and the Emperor had determined that, when his escort reached the Maharaja's house, he would make him prisoner, although he might come out to offer his nazar and pay his respects. But although this resolve was confined to the Emperor's own heart, Ajit Singh was alarmed and suspicious, for "traitors are fearful," and before the Emperor returned he took refuge in the house of Saiyid 'Abdu-llah. The Emperor was returning in a boat, and was about to proceed to the house of Saiyid 'Abdu-llah, as he had determined. But he learned of Ajit Singh's having sought protection in the house of that noble, which greatly annoyed him; and when he came near the house, he changed his intention, and ordered the boat to be rowed quickly onwards. His suite and equipage went to the house, and the wazir went forth as far as the bank of the river to meet him, but he repaired to his palace in the fort.