Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 17.10
A Translation of the Seir Mutaqherin (Haji Mustafa) 17.10
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17.10.1
He was so bountiful in rewarding his servants, and in obliging his Ministers, his relations, and all those that could approach him, that his character in that respect is almost beyond belief. He remembered every one of the friends and acquaintances he had ever had at Shah-djehan-abad, and such especially as had obliged him in his days of distress and poverty; and whenever he could discover any of these, or any of their children, or of their descendants, he never failed to send for them from that capital and to make them such presents, or to promote them to such offices, or to put such emoluments in their way, as they had never so much as dreamed of. And when those he had enriched in this manner, came to die, he took such care of their widows, children, and heirs, as no man in these hard times, and none even in times past, ever took of his own relations. His administration was so full of lenity, and his attention so intense to the security and quiet of the subject, and of the husbandman especially, that none of them can be said to have been so much at their ease on their father's knees, or in their mother's lap; nor was there a man in office with him, without excepting his very menial servants, that did not make fortunes by lacs.
17.10.2
For although he did not shew much inclination for such accomplishments, as dancing and singing, or for an intimate society with women, he had an inclination for all other kinds of pleasures and pastimes, and knew how to reward those that excelled in them. He understood arts, was fond of exquisite performances, and never failed to shew his regard to the artistes. Fond of the pastime of a witty conversation, he was himself excellent company; so far, as to be hardly equalled by any of his contemporaries. A prudent, keen, general, and a valorous soldier, there are hardly any qualifications which he did not possess; and few are the virtues which shall not be found to have made part of his character. Singular instances of his prudence and foresight may be easily remembered to this day. About the latter end of his reign Nizam-el-mulk came to die, and his son, Nassyr-djung, having succeeded him in all his dominions, chanced to be killed by a conspiracy of the Afghans in his service, as he was marching against the French of PSlchurry. This was compassed by Muzafer-djung, who was son to his sister, and had come to an agreement with those strangers, by whom he was vigorously supported.
17.10.3
But the new Prince being slain soon after, as well as the Afghan conspirators, he was succeeded at the time by Seyd-mahmed-qhan-selabet-djung, who by the assistance of these same French was seated upon the throne of Decan: revolution memorable which rendered Mushur-bushi the man of the upper-hand, and put it in his power to write a very lofty pompous letter to Aaly-verdy-qhan, with the purpose of recommending the French of Farashdanga. This letter, although slighted, made in fact a great impression upon his mind; and as he knew with how sparing a hand Providence had bestowed on Seradj-ed-doulah his share of knowledge and prudence; and he was fully sensible of the manner he would govern the people of God, and upon what bad terms he was already with the Military officers, as well as how prone he seemed to fall out with the English of Calcutta; he used to compare his character and turn of mind to that of Nassyr-djung, and to assure in full company that as soon as himself should be dead, and Seradj-ed-doulah should succeed him, the hat-men would possess themselves of all the shores of Hindia. As I was myself in Seradj-ed-doulah's service, and fully apprised of his turn of mind, as well as often in his company, and that of his grandfather's, I remember to have heard that assertion from that Prince's own mouth. Nor is my testimony a slight one; it will be supported by several persons, then present, to whom I shall refer;
17.10.4
and in fact the prediction came to be verified just as his mind had foreseen. On account of this singular prediction, I remember that this Prince being then in the zenith of his power, his General, Mustapha-qhan, who had a boundless influence upon his mind, proposed to him to take Calcutta, and to put all the English to the sword. No answer was given to the proposal. The General brought it forward at another time, but with the support and recommendation of the Viceroy's two sons-in-law, and no answer was given again; but as soon as Mustapha-qhan was gone, he said to the two advisers: "My dear children, Mustapha-qhan is a soldier of fortune, "and a man in monthly pay, who lives by his sabre; of course "he wishes that I should always have occasion to employ him, and to put it in his power to ask favours for himself and friends; but in the name of common sense, what is the matter with your ownselves, that you should join issue with him, and make common cause of his opinion? What wrong have the English done me, that I should wish them ill? Look at yonder plain covered with grass; should you set fire to it, there would be no stopping its progress; and who is the man then who shall put out a fire that shall break forth at sea, and from thence come out upon land? Beware of lending an ear to such proposals again; for they will produce nothing but evil."