[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Mughals (1526–1857)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal) › [Later Mughals (1707–1857)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later) › [Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirīn](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin) › [A Translation of the Seir Mutaqherin (Haji Mustafa)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa) › 25.7 # Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 25.7 A Translation of the Seir Mutaqherin (Haji Mustafa) 25.7 - **Language:** English ### [25.7.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.25.7.1) It was about this time likewise that Sadr-el-hac-qhan, the new Supreme Magistrate, a man well striken in years, always sickly, and who most of his time was out of order, departed toward the regions of eternity, after having answered his Creator's call, with the words: I am ready, O Lord! It was the 19th of Zilhidj, of the year 1194, after having lived for one year, four months, and about twenty-five or twenty-six days, with the name of Fodjdar-General. It is not improper to give some account of him. He was born in Gudjrat; and upon some emergency, came to Shah-djehan-abad with his father, where the old man died; and the son not finding any prospect of advancement in that capital, repaired to Bengal and to Moorshood-abad, where he was introduced into Aaly-verdy-qhan's service. This Prince gave him a pension, and after the demise of Cazy-muzaffer-aaly-qhan, he appointed him Daroga, or Auditor of the Court of justice. In the sequel, that is, at the time of the Marhatta irruption, he was sent Embassador to their rulers in Decan, where he acquired the esteem and good will of both sides, and was honoured with presents by both. Being now a man of some character, as well as of some money, he came to have a regiment of his own, and to be reputed a man of distinction. And this was his rank under Aaly-verdy-qhan's reign, and under that of his successors and relations; ### [25.7.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.25.7.2) until Mahmed-reza-qhan came into power, and then he was appointed to the Government of Baghalpoor, where he remained but little, being turned out of his office. On Governor Hushtin's arrived in Bengal, he attached himself to him, and remained so steadfast in his attachment, that he was rewarded for it by being appointed to the office of Fodjdar-General, as well as by being decorated with a title of honour. But he enjoyed little so lucrative an office; and having said farewell to this fragile world, he took his journey towards the regions of eternity. This death occasioned a change in the affairs of Moorshood-abad. As the Governor-General disapproved of Mahmed-reza-qhan's conduct, and Menny-begum was not pleased with that Minister's disposing of the Nizamet, and spending the young Prince's money as freely as he pleased; and on the other hand, Mubarec-ed-dowlah himself was sometimes on this side, and sometimes on the other; there arose differences about the appointment and distribution of those offices, which Sadr-el-hac-qhan had left vacant. The Governor, who is the first man in the world for appreciating any one's merit and capacity, wanted to sound Aaly-hibrahim-qhan, who is really capable of putting in order affairs of the utmost importance, as well as of unravelling their utmost intricacies and subtilities. The Governor esteemed the Qhan a fit man for such an high office; and with that view he wrote to Mr. ### [25.7.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.25.7.3) Baber, Chief of Moorshood-abad, and an intimate friend of the Governor's, including a letter to Aaly-hibrahim-qhan, in which he requested to know whether he would accept of those offices. The Qhan, apprised of the dissensions then existing in the Committee, and sensible how unlike he was in his own temper to the great men then in office; and how difficult it would prove to keep in good humour such a set of discontented masters; felt likewise a certain disinclination against the office of Fodjdary, as it stood then, and which in fact consisted of little else than a discharge of a Cutval's office, that is, in fining and killing, and hanging and maiming, and in imprisoning and confining people. He concluded it highly improbable that such an office could be at all times exercised without sometimes injuring and wronging mankind, and without rendering one's self responsible in a high degree both in this world and the other; and he excused himself from accepting such a charge. He was likewise sensible that it would be difficult in such an office, nay, out of his power intirely, to keep fair, and to live upon good terms, with a number of English gentlemen, who governed absolutely in every department. He therefore excused himself in a handsome manner, that did not disoblige either Mr. Baber or the Governor; and he disengaged himself from the proposal. ### [25.7.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.25.7.4) He knew that, in consequence of the necessity of keeping fair with some persons who did not agree amongst themselves, the exercise of his office would have very little solidity; for that in every business and in every transaction he must of all necessity manage so, as to oblige five persons that have absolute power in the Committee, and ten or twenty more that are attached to them, and expect equal regard. And how long would a man be able to keep fair with them all, and to pay some small regard to his duty and character at the same time? In reality these dissensions, that have now spread in every branch of the administration, and the spirit of party that has now taken possession of the principal English, so as to become a second nature, are of such a species, as will always afford a sensible man many valuable reasons for declining any office at all under them; nor can a man dependent on them, but jealous of his own conscience and character, pretend to keep himself harmless from the consequences of that spirit of party and dissension which runs so high amongst his masters. Even waiving all regard for his honour and character, such a man cannot avoid running a great risk. What, if when striving to oblige one of those choleric men, his enemy at some unlucky day finds it in his power to make me feel his resentment, and out of a spirit of revenge, is soon up with me by susciting upon me a variety of troubles and distresses? ### [25.7.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.25.7.5) One of the main causes of the ruin of this country, and one of the main hinges upon which turn the distresses and miseries of its inhabitants, is this very spirit of dissension, that has become customary and current amongst the English, who are now the masters and rulers of those kingdoms : a spirit that runs away with their faculties to the utter neglect of many duties. There are some other reasons likewise, which shall be explained in a short time at the close of this book, when mention shall be made of the conduct of the English rulers, and of their principal men in these regions. ### [25.7.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.25.7.6) Let us now return to the intrigues set up by Menny-begum. It is very probable that this haughty Princess, who does not love to see Mahmed-reza-qhan in power, and could not bear his meddling with the affairs of the Nizamet, did write to the Governor to insinuate, that if he intended to keep that department in his own power, he must prevail on Aaly-hibrahim-qhan to accept the above office, as the only method for keeping it under his own controul. The Governor, for these reasons, engaged both Menny-begum and Mubarec-ed-dowlah to renew their solicitations to that nobleman, and to say to him : " If you be apt to mistrust our sincerity, we shall give you an obligatory paper under our hands, by which we shall bind ourselves to do nothing without your consent and permission ; nay, that we shall not meddle with any thing at all, if you will have it so. Or, if you feel any inquietude about the expenditure of the money which may come to take place upon some particular emergencies, for which Mahmed-reza-qhan, in consequence of the power which he enjoys, might bring you into trouble ; and you should find yourself at a loss how either to account for it or to refund the same ; then we take that case upon ourselves, and will give you a writing under our hands, by which we shall acknowledge, that whenever such a case shall happen, we shall account for it ourselves, and shall bear you harmless." But all these solicitations availed nothing, nor would the Qhan lend an ear to them. ### [25.7.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.25.7.7) These divisions in the Council, which had deterred Aly-hibrahim-qhan, had not produced less considerable effects elsewhere, and especially at Lucknow. Two or three years after Shudjah-ed-dowlah's demise, that is, in the heighth of General Clavering's influence, Mr. Djan Brishtoo, a very sensible young man, had been appointed to the residency at Lucknow: a modest word which implies no less than the absolute disposal of everything in the provinces of Aood and Ilah-abad. That young man availed himself so well of his own talents, as well of Assuf-ed-dowlah's ignorance, and of Moqhtar-ed-dowlah his Minister's supineness, that he transferred to the immediate dominion of the English Company, the country of Benares, which was part of the lease of the son of Radja Balvent-sing's. But the General being now dead, this service of his availed but little, and he was turned out of his office. Brishtoo, who had made money, and likewise done very well the Company's business, set out for his country, with intention to come back after having established his interest in England. But as long before his departure, the General and the others had wrote home to recommend him as a man of merit that had rendered eminent services, there came after his departure, an order from Europe to continue him in his office, with many commendations and encomiums upon his conduct. Whilst that order was coming, Brishtoo himself arrived in England; ### [25.7.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.25.7.8) and he availed himself so well of the services he had rendered, and of the General's recommendation, as well as of the joint efforts of that officer's friends, that he obtained a new order for himself, and another for reinstating Mahmed-reza-qhan in the Fodjdary; which two orders he brought himself to Calcutta. It was at a time when some appearance of a reconciliation was taking place betwixt the two parties. The defeat of two English armies in Decan had induced Mr. Doocreel, (Mr. Ducarell), heretofore Governor of Pooraniah, and who now was at the head of the Qhalissa or Finance office, to become mediator between the Governor and Mr. Francis, to whom he was a common friend. He made them understand, that this was not a time for them to dispute and to wrangle between themselves; and that they had better postpone their differents for such times as would follow afterwards on a cessation of troubles And as on the other hand Mr. Barwell, who had hitherto had but one heart and one mind with the Governor, to whom he had shewed a constant attachment, was now resolved, either out of some discontent against him, or for some purposes of his own, to repair to England; of course some union and friendship between the Governor and Mr. Francis had become the more necessary; and it took place accordingly, after some stipulations in favour of the latter, amongst which, the appointing of Mahmed-reza-qhan to the Fodjdary was a principal one. The Governor, who wished to oblige him, agreed to it; ### [25.7.9](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.25.7.9) and on the twentieth of Sefer, of the year 1194, that Minister retook possession of that office; so that the water that had quitted his shore, commenced flowing again. They report on that occasion a very strange anecdote: A man well acquainted with Seyd-mahmed-qhan himself (who is the same person to whom the Minister is so much attached, as to admit him to every one of his secrets, and to undertake nothing without his advice and approbation) averred, as holding it from his own mouth, that Mahmed-reza-qhan had vowed and promised to the Divine Author of all gifts, and had written with his own hand upon a Coran of one of his friend's, "That if he ever recovered his offices and dignities, he would, as an offering to God, distribute twelve thousand rupees to the poor." What is strange, is that to this day, which is the end of the year 1195, and a full twelve month after the completion of his wish, the promise has not been fulfilled yet. Seyd-mahmed-qhan likewise had a positive order to execute, as delivered in these words: "And if you observe any tergiversation or neglect in me, after I shall have obtained the full of my wishes, then be sure to seize me by the throat, and to hold it fast squeezed, until I have paid down the money which you may then distribute yourself." Accordingly at the appointed time, the Qhan made serious instances, but to no purpose. ### [25.7.10](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.25.7.10) The Minister brought forth a variety of apologies, such as "that Mubarec-ed-dowlah had already distributed so much money in alms, in his intention; the necessity of putting in repair his palaces of Now-Saht and Nyshat-baqh; the urgency of some expenditures, and such other matters; all which he thought sufficient excuses." What looks singular is, that in order to tranquillise the Qhan's conscience, he added "That he (Seyd-mahmed-qhan) had got out of his promise, but that himself was still entangled in it; and that he hoped to see the day when the Divine Providence would put it in his power to disburse and distribute that money." Wonderful God! may I admire that variety of traces, everywhere discernible, of your Divine dispensations, by which you have spread amongst a single species of your creatures so much difference of tempers, and such a diversity of dispositions, that one individual shall spend so much of his consequence and time in covetously hunting after a dignity, which another individual, a thousand times inferior to him in wealth, shall have spurned at and rejected, although offered to him with solicitations and intreaties, by the reigning powers, and by the Lords of the land! Aaly-hibrahim-qhan struck the feet of contentment and resignation into the head and breast of that office, and remained unmoved by all its temptations, and all their prayers. But you are so, O worthy man, by a particular gift of the Author of all love! --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.25.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.25.7) · Pramāṇa