Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 24.11
A Translation of the Seir Mutaqherin (Haji Mustafa) 24.11
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24.11.1
Radja Shytab-ray, originally a Cahtri by tribe, was a Kahut-suka-sun by race, and born at Shah-djehan-abad. He was bred in the family of Semsam-ed-dowlah, son to another Semsam-ed-dowlah, better known under the name of Qhandoran, Lord of Lords to Mahmed-shah; and he commenced by getting into the service of one Aga-soleiman, a Georgian, who was slave and steward to Semsam-ed-dowlah, as well as every thing in his house. He had at first but a small salary; but by his abilities in business, and by his meritorious services, he soon became the centre of all business in Aga-soleiman's house, and of course the absolute ruler of Semsam-ed-dowlah's affairs. On that nobleman's repairing to the mansions of God's mercy, and on that capital's becoming a continual scene of revolutions, he concluded that there was no safety for him in those parts; and he obtained the Imperial Divanship of Azim-abad, with the management of the Djaghirs of his master's son, being the districts of Poluch and Maria in Bengal. Thus provided, he came into these eastern countries, and, as it has been already mentioned, soon raised himself to the summit of power. He was a man of great sense, a Minister knowing in business, and a clerk of a quick dispatch, keen, and full of penetration in every thing he took in hand; and he had so many other valuable qualities besides, that I always thought him the most deserving, and the ablest man amongst the most eminent men of Hindostan.
24.11.2
Although originally a clerk and a penman, he proved that he did not want either courage or prowess upon an emergency; and although he had seen himself courted by Vezirs and by Emperors, nevertheless he had so little pride about him, that he behaved to men of virtue or of distinction with a modesty and an humility that disarmed envy itself. He comprehended at once, and at the very first outset, the intent of every one's supplication; and he used to grant it with a deal of condescension, if he had it in his power, and the subject deserved it; or else, he would offer a handsome excuse, in a condoling language; so that no petitioner ever went away from his presence, dissatisfied or discontented. Perpetually in the hurry of business, and in conference with a variety of people, from day-break till noon-day, and from the evening to three o'clock in the morning, he seemed neither fatigued with the number, nor impatiented with the singularity and extravagance of the demands endlessly crowding upon him; but would attend to every one with a regard always proportioned to the petitioner's rank, never chiding or reprimanding any one, or making use of a harsh or dishonest expression; nor did ever a word of abuse or rudeness come out of his mouth. Keen and knowing in every thing, and well apprised of the prices of all kinds of wares, he never disputed with merchants, but would give them a handsome price at once; nor would he admit stinginess or economy, whenever he wanted to make a present.
24.11.3
Fond of living high and with elegance, he used to procure from distant, cheap places, such provisions as he wanted for his own use; endeavouring to reconcile that taste of his with the dimensions of his purse. Magnificent and generous in his household, he strove as much as his finances could afford, to live up to the grandeur, and hospitality of a middling Omrah of Hindostan. For on the very arrival of some person of distinction in town, he would send him, according to his rank and station, a number of tables covered with a variety of sweetmeats, delicacies, and dressed victuals, of which he had always quantities made with the utmost nicety and attention. In the entertainments and feasts which he used often to give, he always imitated the splendidness and the customs of the Moghuls; and when at table, he used to invite his guests with the utmost politeness and courtesy to taste of such and such particular delicacies. But his modesty and sense of decorum were such, that no man, not even his nearest relations, have ever seen him repair to the apartments of a woman, called Ram-dji, of whom he was very fond, and to whom he shewed a constant attachment; nor could any one say at what particular time he repaired into the inner apartments of his women, nor when he came out. His consort, a person of his own tribe, from whom he had his two sons, Calyan-sing and Bagvaany-sing, he kept no conections with this longwhile;
24.11.4
but he entertained her at a small distance from his own palace, in a house expressly built for her use; and thither he repaired two or three times in the year, at those stated times prescribed by the Gentoo law, but in such a secret manner, however, that his visits were very seldom known to any one. His behaviour to some persons inimical to his welfare, was no less singular. These having found access to some Englishman in office, for instance, to the Chief of Azim-abad, had grown so jealous of his greatness, that when they came to be complimented with some concern in the Company's affairs, or with some other advantage, they had in a course of years so far estranged themselves from him, as to express their enmity in every thing in their power; and with such a conduct he used to put up. But the moment a change of times had taken place, or any disgrace had happened to them, which might endanger their honor or their fortune, he from that moment forgot the past, and flew to their assistance with all his might and influence; from that moment, he turned his own breast into a shield and buckler for them, and would exert himself so strenuously, as often to rescue them from perdition. Whenever he heard of any one come from Shah-djehan-abad, he used to send for him, and if he happened to be of his acquaintance, and in distress, he never failed to relieve him in the best manner he could afford; but as his own salary was small, and not exceeding what had been appointed;
24.11.5
and he did not choose to lay a finger upon any thing belonging to the Government; he contrived to give him a pension; and when he found it inadequate, and could not afford to give a better one, he used to employ him abroad in the collections of the revenue, in such a manner as he might benefit by the employment. But when matters did not succeed to his mind, even in this manner, his method was then to send for the person, and after having excused himself in a rational manner, he ended his apology by making him a handsome present, over and above a sufficient sum to carry him back; and he always finished his compliment by dismissing him with politeness and regret. Sheh-sherif-eddin-mohammed, a descendant of the Protomartyr, Sheh-said-mohammed, (whose station may God exalt to a higher one!) was an aged, learned, pious man, and one of the principal citizens of Nedjef-eshreff (the nobility and holiness of which spot may God augment!) who, urged by necessity, and by the distress into which he had fallen, through some accident, had conceived a design of repairing to India, on hearing of the opulence of the country, and of the rich presents made, and the high regard paid by the Grandees of that land to the officers and servants of the sublime places, and to those that had lived in, or had visited, the holy cities; (and indeed such was the custom in India when the Empire was yet in its lustre).
24.11.6
In these hopes he arrived in Hoogly, in his eightieth year, and for a full year made a shift to live in that city and in Moorshood-abad; but although both the Nazem of Bengal, as well as his Naib or lieutenant, were men of much wealth and power, both Mussulmen, and both served by dependants rich and opulent, yet no one took sufficient notice of his circumstances; so that the venerable old man resolved to try his fortune elsewhere; and he set out for Aood and Lucnow, the capitals of Shudjah-ed-dowlah's dominions, as well as for Ilah-abad, then the capital and residence of the Emperor Shah-aalem. On his way thither he arrived at Azim-abad, where having had myself the honor to pay him a visit, I procured the same advantage to Radja Shytab-ray. This Minister, on his first hearing of that venerable man's arrival and circumstances, got into his paleky, and altho' a Gentoo, he left at the door his retinue and insignia, and went in only with one or two servants, and no other company than Mir-cavam-eddin-qhan. He made his bow with the utmost modesty and respect, and whatever instances were made by the holy man for his taking his seat upon a mesned, which he had provided for the purpose, he constantly declined sitting upon it, but took his place in a corner of the carpet, whereon the old man was sitting; and after having spent a full hour in his company, and obtained his acceptance of an entertainment, he withdrew with a respectful posture.
24.11.7
In the evening, which was the time appointed, he ordered to be spread for him a superb mesned, used by himself only on festival days, and then took his seat upon a small white carpet, forbidding all his people to intrude upon him during the whole visit. The holy man having set out with me after the evening prayers, was met by the Radja, in the very middle of the yard, where having paid him a profound bow, he took him by the hand, and conducted him to the mesned spread for him, and there entertained him in such an humble, pious manner, that the Sheh, highly satisfied, could not help expressing himself in these words: "I wish, sir, that God had given also to the Mussulmen of this land, a part of those good qualities which He has bestowed upon you." As he spoke Arabick, the Radja did not understand him, and I served as interpreter. The Radja returned thanks for the compliment, and observed how little he deserved it; and on his departure, he presented him with two tables covered with fine stuffs, such as paired shawls, kimqhabs, choice clothes and other rich gifts. Out of respect to him, he thought it improper to bring any money in his presence; but after his departure, and when the Sheh was arrived with me in his company, to the house of the forgiven Zehir-hossein-qhan, he sent after him, by the hands of a trusty servant, a bag of a thousand rupees, which the bearer put secretly in my hand, and which I presented in a respectful manner to the holy, hoary man.