Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 12.14
A Translation of the Seir Mutaqherin (Haji Mustafa) 12.14
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12.14.1
This visit of his to Abul-mansur-qhan, although dictated by necessity, was represented by envy and detraction in a very bad light. It was varnished likewise with an imputation of such sinister purposes, as had never so much as entered into that worthy man's mind; and as on the other hand both Aaly-verdy-qhan and his nephew had already suspicions against Murid-qhan's journey and errand, and they were much displeased at some vile actions and some very improper behaviour of Abul-mansur-qhan's; the accusations against the Deputy sunk the deeper in their minds as being seemingly founded on facts uncontroverted. Both therefore were incensed against him, and the young Governor-General more than any other; but this, however, he kept concealed in his mind, reserving it for a proper opportunity, which he hoped would arise whenever his uncle should have defeated and expelled the Marhattas; at which time he would be freed from the necessity of foreign assistance. However, notwithstanding so much dissimulation he at once substituted Ray-Chintamundass, his Divan, to Heddiet-aaly-qhan in the office of Naïb or Deputy Governor of Azim-abad; but this Minister falling sick after his arrival at that city, where he died after a short illness, the city remained for some time without ruler or a man in power. It was at this critical moment that news came of Baladji-rao's approach with no less than forty of fifty thousand horse.
12.14.2
And what added to the terror of the inhabitants was, that by this time it became known that all along his passage he had exacted contributions; and that whoever had paid with a good grace, had had his person, lands, and country, spared; but that whoever had pretended to stand upon his defence, had not failed of having his person plundered, his country ruined, and his tenants put to the sword. Such was the fate which availed a nobleman called Ahmed-qhan, who was grandson to Daöod-qhan, Coreishy, and held in fief the two districts of Incha and Gow in the province of Azim-abad, where he lived in Daöod-nugur, a town which had been founded and peopled by his grandfather. This man thinking that the Marhatta General, intent on going to Aaly-verdy-qhan's assistance, would not lose any time in forming sieges, took shelter in Ghöoss-gur, a fort which he had built and fortified himself, close to Daöod-nugur, and where he retired with his family, troops, and all the merchants and moneyed men of the country, resolved to stand upon his defence, and to pay no contribution. Baladji-rao, informed of this, sent troops to chastise the man, and to destroy his fort. The troops advancing first against Daöod-nugur, sacked and burned it to the ground; and then made use of the bricks and other materials to fill up the ditch of the Fort of Ghöoss-gur, which was close to it, and which they besieged immediately.
12.14.3
This sight having put an end to Ahmed-qhan's pride, and also to his presence of mind, he made his escape through one of the gates; and now convinced of his impotence, he availed himself of the mediation of some merchants within the fort, to make his peace with the Marhattas, and to ransom his life for fifty thousand rupees. Such violences and extortions soon came to the ears of the citizens of Azim-abad, who became distracted with fears and apprehensions. They assembled in great numbers about my honoured father's house, and the principal of them represented "that he was the only man of weight and authority in the city; and of course, the only one that could exert himself so effectually as to provide for the honour and safety of those multitudes of honest folks that lived within those walls." For all answer Hedaiet-aaly-qhan, who had already sent his family on the other side of the Ganga, advised them all to secure their properties and families in the same manner; after which he promised to stand by them at all events. This advice having been complied with, that nobleman waited anxiously with all the inhabitants in expectation of what might come to be their fate. In this general consternation Heaven seemed to have suscited a Saviour for them.
12.14.4
There happened to be in those very days, at Azim-abad, a very extraordinary man (to whom may God have granted letters of naturalisation in the kingdom of Paradise!) This man was Seyd-aalim-ollah-Tebateba, grandfather of me, the most inconsiderable of mankind, who chanced to arrive in that city at a time when nothing was to be heard of or seen, but uproar and consternation. In vain did his son, our honoured Hedaiet-aaly-qhan, supplicate His Highness to cross the Ganga with the others, and to take his abode on the other side. The venerable nobleman refused to listen to such an advice, both because it was derogatory to his personal dignity, and because it would betray a lack of confidence in the resources of Providence. But as in consequence of his skill in the interpretation of the word of God, he seemed to be taught and inspired by God himself, so as to have some fore-knowledge of his ineffable ways; he was far from taking fright, as others had done; and he incessantly exhorted them to tarry in the city, as no harm would befall any one of them. One day he mounted very early his horse, and against his custom, he went alone, and so far as to take a circuit of the whole extent of the walls; and on his return, as if he had made some discovery, or had received some inspiration from above, he bid my father be of good cheer, exhorted him to encourage the inhabitants, and steadily assured them, that no one amongst them would feel anything of the storm which was drawing near.
12.14.5
Thanks, infinite thanks be to God, that the event happened precisely as it had been foretold! Such was that admirable personage; and were we to mention everything we know of the dignity of his behaviour, and of the wisdom of his words, that mention would soon swell into a complete volume. But as the humblest and most inconsiderable of mankind, has ventured to write a piece of verses under the title of the Priest's Humanity, in which I am endeavouring to give a feeble and very unadequate idea of his extraordinary character, and of a few of his very singular sayings and actions, I flatter myself that the curious shall condescend to recur to that small performance. At present our business is to mention the singular manner in which an attentive Providence has vouchsafed to interpose a finger in this unexpected event. It happened by the emanation of Divine mercy, and the merits of His Majesty the Prince of Messengers, as well as those of his pure and immaculate offspring, that a gentleman, named Govind-dji-naïc, who was a distant relation of Baladji-rao's, chanced then to be occupied in mercantile matters, and in the banking business at Banares, from whence he had extended his concerns to Azim-abad and to the country adjoining; in both which capacities he had chanced to be several times employed by my honoured father in his times of power and prosperity.
12.14.6
In this manner he had made no inconsiderable gains, and had obtained a variety of benefits that had produced an honourable well-being for him. This man who had never forgot the many favours he had received, and was thoroughly sensible of the truth of that adage, that benefit is not to be requited but by benefit, resolved to avail himself of his relationship, in order to procure some advantage to his ancient benefactor. Full of this idea, he made haste to quit Banares, and to repair to Baladji-raos camp, where he exposed to that Generalissimo, his kinsman, how much he had been benefited by Heddietaaly-qhan's patronage, and how much it was incumbent upon his gratitude to avail himself of the present opportunity to make some return. He ended his request by supplicating the "Generalissimo to use that nobleman in such a manner, as that the load of gratitude that rested so heavily on his kinsman's shoulder, might become lighter at least, if not taken away altogether." The request pleased the Generalissimo; he praised the motives of his kinsman's eagerness, and he wrote immediately to Hedaiet-aaly-qhan a letter full of kindness and encomiums, in which he exhorted him to stay fearlessly in the city, and to tranquillise the minds of the inhabitants, as for his sake, he was resolved to offer no injury to any one of them. Not content with that, he accompanied his letter with several articles of the richest and most curious manufactures of Decan;
12.14.7
and thanks be to God, he proved as good as his word; for it pleased His Divine mercy out of regard to the merits of my pure minded and immaculate bodied ancestors, to keep at a distance that hurricane of evils which was going to break upon the city of Azim-abad. Thanks be to the Divine mercy, and to the merits of His Messenger, that the venerable personage we have been mentioning with so much respect, having in his many peregrinations chanced to make a long sojourn at Azim-abad, every tongue became busy in publishing adequate encomiums on the purity of his morals, and the benignity of his behaviour and deportment. Nor can it be denied but that it is to the merits of that venerable personage, and to the opinion entertained by all ranks of the benefits derived from his presence, that the world must ascribe that constant regard and attention everywhere shewn to me the most inconsiderable of mankind, but his grandson, and to every one of his relations and descendants. It is to the influence of those merits of his, that I ascribe the many signal deliveries and providential escapes through which I have been more than once rescued from the most imminent dangers.