Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 12.4.6

12.4.6

Such accusations afforded pretences, not only for confining and ill-using their persons, but also for sending garrisons into their houses, and carrying women from thence, for the pretended purpose of hearing confessions, and extracting inquiries. This manege went so far that a rich man was sure of being reputed to have an inimical hoard at home, and a woman, reported to have a beautiful face, or an elegant shape, or even a skin particularly satined, never failed to be sent for. The Fakir had, besides, a skill at ferreting out such beautiful women, wherever they could be heard of; and by such and the like arts, he ingratiated himself so deeply in his master's favour, that his orders came to be universally obeyed. His house had become a tribunal of inquisition, where the business of scourging and torturing went on regularly. So that the cries of the oppressed reached the cupola of heaven. Matters went so far, that numbers of men of station and character, who after having once been concerned in the management of the old Governor's finances, had been forgiven certain balances said to be due by them, were now taken to task, and obliged to pay those balances to the treasury of the new Government. So many violences excited a general indignation. The Government became detested, conspiracies were formed, and the citizens of the conquered capital, resolving to rid themselves of so much oppression, joined together unanimously;