Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 12.19.2

12.19.2

Naturally of a temper little inclined to mind benefits conferred and favours received, they easily forget the rights of a benefactor, and as easily conceive the design of killing him, nay of making away with their nearest relations; and all that, for a small reward, and on a slight subject. Unpolished and coarse-behaved, and nearly incapable of any civilization, they are strangers to the softer and more generous sentiments of humanity (in which forgiveness and beneficence cut so conspicuous a figure) and become furious and ungovernable in their revenges. The death of an Afghan, be it for any reason whatsoever, becomes with them a crime not to be expiated by any atonement or lapse of time, although the dead man's relations should have already admitted of a compromise; nor do the seeds of revenge ever cease to vegetate and shoot up in their breasts. Mustapha-qhan himself was an individual of such a praiseworthy nation; and although by no means so void of sense, as his brethren, yet his cupidity, enflamed by his courage, made him cast a wishful eye upon that pomp and that wealth of Bengal, which endlessly blazed in review before his eyes; for his pride was equal to his covetousness. He marched always with a retinue of Afghans equal to Aaly-verdy-qhan's cortege; and from being his servant he aspired to be his equal, and at last attempted to become his superior. In a word, he conceived the scheme of killing his master for opposing his pretensions.