Muntakhab al-lubab 192: Death of Saiyid 'Abdu-llah.
Muntakhabu-l Lubáb, of Kháfí Khán (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) 192
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Death of Saiyid 'Abdu-llah.
192.1
[Text, vol. ii. p. 941.] Saiyid 'Abdu-llah Khan died on the last day of Zi-l hijja in this year (1134 A.H., 30th September, 1722 A.D.). It is said that he was poisoned. If so, it is extraordinary that I should have heard from the mouths of credible men the statement that when Muhammad Shah started on his march against Sultan Ibrahim and Saiyid 'Abdu-llah Khan, he vowed to God, that in the event of his gaining the victory and securing his throne, he would not kill or crush the Saiyid, however great his crimes might be. Nizamu-l Mulk also strove to smooth matters for the Saiyid; for whenever in conversation the two brothers were spoken of, he praised the excellent character of Saiyid 'Abdu-llah, and expressed his belief in the Saiyid's innocence of the death of Farrukh Siyar. He contended against those who condemned the brothers, and he had forbidden men to designate them in writing as Namak ba-haram and Haram-namak. God forbid that his counsel should have been given for poison! But God knows! In the course of this narrative, upon certain points the pen has been used to condemn the two brothers, martyrs of misfortune, and this cannot now be rectified; but in atonement I will now write a few words upon the excellence and beauty of character, the love of justice, and the liberality of both brothers.
192.2
What has been said about them, and especially about Saiyid 'Abdu-llah, in the matter of the death of Farrukh Siyar, the acceptance of bribes, the hard dealings with farmers (sakhti ijarah), and other bad courses which became grounds of complaint among the people, — these were all attributable to the evil influence of Ratan Chand, his diwan, who, having been raised to a position above his capacity, laboured hard to annoy the people. He was also troubled by fortune-seekers and needy adventurers, whose desires he was unable to satisfy. Husain 'Ali Khan, before he was appointed to the Dakhin, was exceedingly averse to the exaction of money; but while he was in the Dakhin Muhkam Singh and other of his officials perverted his nature. But both the brothers were distinguished in their day for their generosity and leniency towards all mankind. The inhabitants of those countries which were innocent of contumacy and selfishness made no complaints of the rule of the Saiyids. In liberality and kindness to learned men and to the needy, and in the protection of men of merit, Husain 'Ali Khan excelled his elder brother, and was the Hatim suited to his day. Numbers owed their comfort to the cooked food and raw grain which he gave away. At the time of the scarcity at Aurangabad, he appropriated a large sum of money and a great quantity of grain to supply the wants of the poor and of widows.
192.3
The reservoir at Aurangabad was begun by him, and although A'azzu-d daula 'Iwaz Khan enlarged and made higher the buildings and the mosque, still he was the originator of that extensive reservoir, which, in summer when water is scarce, relieves the sufferings of the inhabitants. In their native country of Barha they built sarais, bridges, and other buildings for the public benefit. Saiyid 'Abdu-llah was remarkable for his patience, endurance, and wide sympathy. Mulla 'Abdu-l Ghafur Bhora, chief of the merchants in the port of Surat, died leaving a kror and several lacs of rupees in cash and effects. Although he left heirs, Haidar Kuli Khan, who was then mutasaddi of the port, in order to show his zeal and his desire to please the Emperor Farrukh Siyar, seized upon all the property, and made a report to Court. Just at this time the change of government occurred which has been related, and 'Abdu-l Hai, one of the sons, went to Court to complain, and he stated the case to the two brothers. He offered to pay fifteen lacs of rupees for the release of the property, besides the sums which he promised Ratan Chand and other of the officials. The port of Surat was under the jurisdiction of Husain 'Ali Khan.
192.4
One morning, before the rising of the sun, he sent for Diyanat Khan, who had just been appointed diwan of the khalisa, and told him that he had gone through a sharp conflict in the night with the covetousness which the wealth of 'Abdu-l Ghafúr had excited in his heart, but that he had prevailed over his temptation, and had thrown off all desire for the money. The díwán therefore was to send for 'Abdu-l Hai, and to remove all claim to the property, and to present him with a robe and a horse, without his having to spend a dám or a diram, and without having to apply to any other person. [Other anecdotes.]