Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 25.2
A Translation of the Seir Mutaqherin (Haji Mustafa) 25.2
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- English
25.2.1
It must be acknowledged, however, that men's minds were then engrossed by the dissensions in the Council, and by the fate of governor Hushtin. This man, who has been endowed by nature with a keen penetrating genius, and a superior intelligence ; and whose wisdom, in matters of State and in politics, has not been equalled in this age by any one, did not think it consistent with his dignity to dispute upon small matters ; and having thought it decent to adopt a system of difference, he resolved, first of all, to clear himself of the accusations brought against him, and of the infidelities and misdemeanours he was suspected of ; and then to expose to publicity the General's ignorance, together with the grossness of his behaviour and the precipitancy and violence of his temper. He intended afterwards to bring to condign punishment those short-sighted accusers, that had raised such a disturbance in the country, and especially Nand-comar, that man of a wicked disposition, and an infamous character, who had made himself their leader and director. He expected that after having provided for all these matters, and quelled the commotion excited by the General's party, the General himself would become an easy object. With this view he spent a deal of time in confuting the accusations brought against him by that officer on the instigation of Nand-comar and his followers;" and he thoroughly justified his own conduct by exposing the falsehoods of his adversaries.
25.2.2
But whilst he was exposing to publicity Nand-comar's infamies, and giving proofs of most them, or indeed of all, it came out that this man used to forge bills of exchange under the hands and seals of eminent men; and that after having imitated their seals exactly, he kept them at home, ready at all times for manufacturing, as occasion required, bills of exchange and bonds in any one's name and hand, to be hereafter produced at his pleasure; by which iniquitous practice, he used to keep every one in awe of his displeasure. Amongst these pieces of his manufactury he had forged an obligation bond in favour of Bolakidas, a banker, at all times of much credit, but who had acquired a great name in Mir-cassem-qhan's time. He had presented it to the Company's cash-keeper, and had received the full amount, which he had kept to himself. To enquire into so heinous an offence, and to discern the punishment due by law, it became necessary to have a Grand-jury. A Grand-jury signifies an assembly of twelve creditable Englishmen, chosen by lot, which the culprit may recuse one after another, so far as to get them changed two different times, if he should object to them all; but at the third time he ceases to exercise the right of recusing any of them; and they remain twelve in number. Their duty is to examine what is to be his punishment;
25.2.3
but till they have found out this punishment, they cannot be spoken to by any one, lest they might be influenced to swerve from the dictates of justice and equity. This Grand-jury was made up over and over, and twice changed (the Court of Justice at that time being full of people), until it was proved and determined that Nand-comar was guilty and deserved death; and that his kind of punition ought to be hanging. He was a man of a wicked disposition and a haughty temper, envious to a high degree, and upon bad terms with the greatest part of mankind, although he had conferred favours on two or three men, and was firm in his attachments. The moment he perceived that any one had ceased to pay him his court for a few days, either out of sickness, or because he wanted nothing from him, that instant he became his enimy; nor did he give himself any rest until he had run him down, and demolished him totally. At last he met with what he deserved; and his supplice took place. It is observable that as the General had given him strong assurances that none should ever hurt him, and that were he even to be carried to the foot of the gallows, he never would have any thing to fear, provided he exerted himself strenuously in bringing to light the Governor's misdemeanours, that man predestinated to death, never ceased both out of firmness of temper, and out of hatred to the Governor, to accumulate accusations against him, without ever minding how exposed he was himself to an attack.
25.2.4
That man, advised and instigated by the General, and become bolder and bolder, had of late set up a number of new accusations against the Governor; and in the violence of his wickedness and malice he had never minded that he was left alone, and had remained exposed to an attack. The Governor having refuted all his imputations, brought proofs of Nand-comar's great misdemeanours and crimes; and this affair made so much noise, that questions and answers of these two men were written down in the English language and character; and the whole being bound up together in the form of a book, was sent to England, from which such vast number of copies were drawn out, that this subject is become famous, and an object of much curiosity in that nation. Nevertheless the General's protection having proved of no avail against a crime that had been fully ascertained, Nand-comar underwent his sentence in the manner statued; and on the seventeenth of Djemady, of the year one thousand one hundred and eighty-nine, he was drawn up and hanged by the neck. His money and effects were registered, and then delivered to his son, Radja Goordass. They say that the whole amounted to fifty-two lacs in money, and full as much more in effects and other property in his possession. Amongst other strange things found in his house, there came out a small casket containing the forged seals of a number persons of distinction.
25.2.5
In consequence of this discovery, his malicious arts were dragged to open light, and they met with what they well deserved. This trial which occupied the attention of the public, did not divert it intirely from the manoeuvres of Mahmed-reza-qhan, This man who has a great deal of hastiness as well as inconstance in his composition, no sooner observed the prevalence of General Clavering's party, than he conceived a desire of joining him. Such a step was vigorously opposed by Aaly-hibrahim-qhan, in whose temper, prudence and foresight seem to predominate. This nobleman used often to say: "Let us go on as we have hitherto been going. The Governor has certainly saved your life and honor. Without forgetting such benefits, and becoming ungrateful of such favours, let us wait and see what will become of the two parties. If the Governor holds out, he shall think himself obliged by your firmness of temper, and the steadiness of your friendship and attachment to him; and he shall find means enough to promote your welfare in a manner adequate to your rank; and should the General become absolute, he will not for that bear you any grudge; for you have not done him any wrong, nor have you misbehaved to him; nor have you done any thing to render him your enemy. It is even probable, that pleased with the steadiness of your temper, he shall use you in a manner suitable to your rank and station." This discourse was unquestionably full of sense;
25.2.6
but it was more than could be digested by the proud mind of Mahmed-reza-qhan, who is naturally opinionated in his temper; and who swelled with the remembrance of that degree of power and authority, which accidents of chance had once thrown into his hands, looks upon the predictions of provident men as so many reflections upon his own prudence. Mahmed-reza-qhan not choosing to pay a regard to the Qhan's advice, opened a correspondence with the General, and with his adherents, and shewed a desire of attaching himself to his party. Such a step could not but displease the Governor, who however said nothing, and let him go his ways; meanwhile the General recommended him to the office of Deputy of Mubarec-ed-dowlah in the Nizamet, that is, in the disposal of that Prince's household; and also to the general Fodjdary, which in these days means the preservation of the country from highway-men and house-breakers, and the power of pronouncing final judgment upon the crimes of house-breaking, thieving, murder, and fornication. He added to this a large salary, and prevailed upon the Council to invest him in those offices by a splendid dress of honor, to which were added several others for his children and dependants. After so much success, Mahmed-reza-qhan set out, on the 15th of Ramazan, 1189; and in a few days he arrived at Moorshood-abad, the second of Shevval, where he applied himself closely to the business of his office.
25.2.7
And as it appears that the inhabitants of that great city, accustomed to him long ago, shewed themselves submissive to his authority, he on his side pleased with a return of good fortune, took care to display broad open the standard of authority and command. On the tenth of Zilhidj of that same year, he married his eldest daughter to Mahmed-zeky-qhan, son to his elder brother, Mahmed-hossein-qhan; and his eldest son, Behram-djung, to the eldest daughter of Hadji Ismail; the two spouses being both children of Rabia-begum's two daughters. But the satisfaction of the two families was damped by the death of Rabia-begum herself, who was daughter to Hadji Ahmed, and consort to Ata-ollah-qhan. She departed this life the 23rd of Djemady, in the year 1189; and by her death she deprived Mahmed-reza-qhan of the only remaining stock by which he held to the family of Aaly-verdy-qhan, the majestuous in war. This Princess, although famous for her vices and debauches, had likewise many good qualities. Long ago she had repented of her past life, and in her last sickness, she had renewed her repentance, had taken witnesses of it, and in her last moments, she had not ceased, in the presence of a number of persons, to pronounce the fine words, which implied her firm belief in the unity of God, and in the ministry of the seal of Prophets, both tenets qualified by a real confession of his successors.
25.2.8
She departed her life in full repentance of her past conduct, and in the full invocation of the Divine forgiveness. O Lord! should you punish her for her misdeeds, you have that right; she is your bond-woman, and your culprit. And should you forgive her, you would not be inconsistent; for You are the Most Merciful of the merciful.