[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) › 29 # Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 29: VERSES OF SAADY. A Translation of the Seir Mutaqherin (Haji Mustafa) 29 - **Language:** English ### VERSES OF SAADY. ### [29.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.29.1) "Here is the only condition on which a ruler can live; "And this is, that he be master of the circumstances of the last of his subjects." If the English, in imitation of those to whom they have succeeded, vouchsafed to set apart some of their time for these laudable purposes, and at certain stated times, gave admission indiscriminately to all people, and heard their prayers by themselves, with gentle manners, and personal enquiry into the circumstances of their suitors; it is certain that even so small a change would gain their hearts, and would render them fearless and intrepid in exhibiting complaints, and representing matters against the very servants of their rulers; and although all this might not be brought to bear without some expense, and some trouble, on account of their being not accustomed to that practice, yet the benefits resulting from such an intercourse, would prove to be innumerable, and would be felt by both sides. May God grant that, as a favor to them and to us, there would result from that mutual commerce a nearer and more beneficial acquaintance with the inhabitants of this climate! For having once got acquainted with one individual, and tried his degree of ability, and his particular talent in business, they could station him accordingly, and oblige him as his rank or abilities might point out; and as they should come to know to what particular business he is fit, they might draw such services from him, as they should wish, or think convenient. ### [29.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.29.2) Now all this is not attainable, without personal intercourse, and without inquiring into the characters and tempers of men; still less without observing every one's behaviour in a variety of circumstances, by changing the discourse, and hearing him speak on a variety of subjects, especially in this time and age, when there is so much envy and obloquy, and so much slander and artifice in every transaction. The sixth cause is that the English have deprived the inhabitants of these countries of various branches of commerce and benefit, which they had ever enjoyed heretofore. Our ancient Princes, who after the tumult of conquest, had conceived the project of making their homes of this country, were generous enough, after appropriating to the Crown the conquered provinces, and the principal revenues and tributes, to establish a vast body of pensions, and Djaghirs, for Altumghas and charity-lands, as well as to associate in the enjoyment of their conquest, most of their principal relations and principal followers, together with the most considerable men of the land itself ; and at the same time they had left open to the subject various ways of revenues and livelihood, amounting to many corors a year, as a provision for the bulk of the inhabitants. ### [29.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.29.3) Djaghirs, to the amount of lacs, and revenues, to the amount of mighty sums, were bestowed on Noblemen, whether Musulmen or Hindoos, and indeed upon any others indifferently, according to their stations and merits, with the hope of further preferment, in proportion to their abilities and exertions in the service. And in fact, nothing was more common than to see these Noblemen promoted to higher emoluments, after having exhibited further proofs of their zeal and activity ; nor was this munificence restricted to their own nation. Old friends or new ones, old subjects or recent ones, all, of whatever religion, nation, or tribe and profession they might be, were made partakers of their bounty ; but old, decayed people amongst them, and the necessitous, together with the children of their old servants and followers, as well as the poor and needy, from whom prayers only and good wishes could be expected, were relieved with gifts of Altumghas, Amlacs, and such other lands, which were set apart for pious uses, and which they quietly enjoyed. As to the other ways of deriving incomes, for instance, from merchandising, and from the exercise of arts and trade, all these were left open for all the world ; and although they were made to see various branches of revenue in those articles, they never turned their eyes that way, but left all that for the bulk of the people. ### [29.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.29.4) Over and above that, thousands and hundreds of thousands of men, horse and foot, were kept in constant pay, whether in the service of the Emperor, or of the Governors of provinces, and they all enjoyed an easy livelihood. Compare now those multitudes with even that small number of men that still get a livelihood by enjoying Djaghirs and Altumghas in the English dominions. Even these, in consequence of the inattention of the English to the concerns of us poor Hindostanies, and in consequence of the power left to their dependants and to extortionary Zemindars; in consequence, I say, of the cruelty of their lease-takers, and of the hardness of heart and faithlessness of the subordinate rulers, even these poor people also are come to experience a variety of losses, injuries and damages. For it is notorious that abuses have crept into that branch of the administration too, as it has been already mentioned in the article of charity and legacy lands, and in that of that Atheist, Zehoor-ollah-beg; and thanks be to God that there happened to be over against that flinty-hearted man such a person as Governor Hushtin in this land, and that the sufferings endured by these poor people for the space of a whole year's attendance, were rewarded at last by the Governor-General's having the goodness to remove that load of evils which oppression strove to place upon their heads. ### [29.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.29.5) On the other hand, out of that vast multitude of people, called musqueteers, whose numbers were heretofore counted by ten thousands in these provinces, only a small number of them have obtained a livelihood by inlisting as Talingas in the English service; and yet it was these two provinces that fed and paid regularly forty or fifty thousand horse, which were either in the Viceroy's service immediately or mediately, in that of his sons or relations and officers, or in that of the principal Zemindars of the province. Thousands and thousands of merchants followed that numerous cavalry, and according to their respective means and callings, found a certain income in their connections with them, and in their turn afforded a livelihood to multitudes of others. Now matters go otherwise. Service for troopers and cavalry, there is none at all: and of the various branches of trade, heretofore open to all, none is left free. They are all engrossed by the Company themselves, or by the English in general; as these, whether they enjoy the Company's service, and of course have power and influence, or chance to be otherwise circumstanced, very seldom are without concerns in trade. But if, with all that, it happens that most of the superior military officers, whilst shewing a shyness for trade, are really merchants invested with high powers and authority, how can the poor subject pretend to derive a subsistence from merchandising? ### [29.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.29.6) Would they dare it? On the other hand, thousands of artificers cannot earn enough to support their families, as has been shewn a little above, because their arts and callings are of no use to the English; nor can it be expected that the Nobility of this land, reduced as it is to that distress which we have already pointed out, should afford to take the works of these people off their hands, and to give them employment, as they used to do in former times, by keeping them always busy, sometimes in their own houses. It is even become a matter of wonder, and a subject of thanksgiving to the Divine Goodness, how these poor people can make a shift to live now, and how to this day most of them go on and endure, with their children and families. ### [29.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.29.7) Were the English to take into their service some thousands of that cavalry, once commanded by such renowned Officers as Sheh-muez-eddin-qhan and Ahmed-qhan, and the like, there is no doubt but these men would render them important services, in their wars against the cavalry of either the Marhattas or the Sykes, especially if care was taken to attach them to the service, and to excite their zeal and emulation; nor would these military services be the only advantages to be reaped by entertaining such a cavalry. There are some others that would arise collaterally to such an establishment, as for instance, a further facility of livelihood to the people in general, an addition of numbers to the farming tribe, and an increase of revenue to Government. The seventh cause may be found in the overgrowing power of the Zemindars, and in their being trusted too much. It is deemed an undeniable truth amongst the men of sense of this land, and it was a standing rule amongst the Princes of these kingdoms, that no trust is to be reposed in the words of a Zemindar, not even in his most solemn promises and treaties, as they were to a man, a refractory, short-sighted, faithless set of people, that mind nothing but present interest, and require always a strict hand. ### [29.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.29.8) Our Government took care, therefore, that they should not get an opportunity of resisting or disobeying, and likewise that they should not acquire the means of resistance and obstinacy, as they are evil-doers by profession, and at all times disposed to injury, and to distress the people of God; ever ready to infest the highways, to plunder and kill the travellers and the unwary; ever ready to torment the subjects, and even the Nobles, to destroy the country, to ruin the revenue, and to distress and injure Government. All these are the accustomed performances of that malevolent race; and it was to keep them in awe, and occasionally to administer correction to them, that so many illustrious Fodjdars were stationed with such a number of officers and dependants. No trust was reposed in their words, nor in their actions; for their character was thoroughly understood. They were looked upon to be an incorrigible race. Now, in contradiction to ancient maxims, and to rules of old standing, and in contradiction to the most approved opinions, held equally by eminent merchants, as well as by knowing Princes, the English rulers have thought proper to compare the Zemindars of this country to the Zemindars and land-holders of their own; ### [29.9](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.29.9) men whose possessions amount to no more than a few thousand yards of ground, or at most to an estate of two or three cosses in circuit, and who being all men of education and honor, pass their lives in enjoying their estates and beautiful seats, and in keeping open tables. It is to such men that the English Government has ventured to compare the Zemindars of Hindostan, and by comparison, to repute them men of honor and sentiment, worthy of being held in esteem and consideration, and deserving to be entrusted with full powers over their Zemindaries or estates; and yet it is these very men of honour and sentiments that ruin the whole country, torment the men of distinction settled of old in their lands, and are waiting only that time and opportunity may put it in their power by some extraordinary event, at once to display the standard of rebellion and dispute, and to raise commotions of consequence. They live quietly now, and astonished at the heavy blows they have felt from the hand of the English, as well as overawed by the superiority acquired everywhere by that nation, they wink at the state of things, and meanwhile, sure of the interest they have obtained, they silently pillage and oppress mankind; whilst the English rulers at the same time seem not to believe their conspiracies, and their malevolence and oppressions, or to have within their breasts some scheme, which to us, ignorant men, is yet a profound secret. ### [29.10](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.29.10) The eighth cause of the declining state of these countries may be ascribed, as it has been already observed, to the The eighth cause is the enormous delays experienced in obtaining decisions from the Governor and Council, or in receiving the answers requested by the Provincial Councils and others. Those delays arise from their being, both the one and the other, extremely occupied by their own concerns, and eternally busy in attacking or in defending, as well as from their being overloaded with an immensity of public business; a deplorable situation, that necessarily occasions those incredible delays which dishearten, which amaze, which ruin and overwhelm every one that has the misfortune to have any business with them. Were a man of consequence appointed to hear such petitions at stated times, for the purpose of making his report to the Governor and Council; and were the necessary answers to the Provincial Councils liable to fewer delays; such a change undoubtedly would conduce to the ease and happiness of multitudes of people, and the Governor and Council would hear their names proclaimed everywhere, as being the cherishers of the inhabitants of this land, the true lovers of justice, and the benefactors of mankind; nor could such a change hurt the English interest in any manner. ### [29.11](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.29.11) But thanks are due to God Almighty, the Author of all good counsels, that since these lines have been written, I have heard that a lesser Committee has been appointed on purpose for such affairs, and that the standard of expectation and impatience being let down, some relief has been administered to the poor, despairing suitors of this country. The ninth cause is, as it has been already observed, that the English pay too much regard to seniority, whereas, it is talent and abilities that are the matter in question, and not seniority of service or recommendation, whenever it is necessary to fill up a post of consequence, and to provide for the happiness of a whole people. If without deviating too much from the rules of service, Englishmen of capacity, discernment, and experience, were sent into the several districts, where their character should have time to ripen, with a certitude of being fixed in that particular branch of business; and if after having deserved the confidence of their owners and of the public, they were left to enjoy their office, without fear of being displaced; and if to so salutary a measure, Government added, at the same time, that other of sending into each district a man of sense, knowledge, and credit, for a Divan, who, in a capacity similar to those Canun-goes, or Chancellors of old, appointed by Islam-shah, should be made independent of any revolutions in the Council, unless indeed he should prove guilty of some misdemeanour; ### [29.12](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.29.12) there is no doubt but mighty benefits might be derived from such a regulation. But at the same time it would be requisite that he should never lose sight of this, that as the Members of the Council are Englishmen, that is Lords and masters of this land, it is incumbent upon him never to deviate, either in his words or behaviour, from that respect which behoves him, both as a subject and a servant. It is requisite, likewise, that the Gentlemen, once sensible of his being an useful, zealous man, and an old attendant on that board, should listen to his advice in all matters, and not suffer their particular Divans and Moonshies (Secretaries) to engross all to themselves. This was a precaution constantly attended to, under George Vansittart, and also under Mr. Ayoun Law. Whenever such a trusty servant at any time becomes guilty of any misdemeanour or infidelity, he must be punished in proportion to his guilt, that others of the same office and station, taking warning from his disgrace, may not deviate from the path of integrity; and if ever it shall be convenient to establish such a Council, it would be proper to diminish the number of Members, so as that they should not exceed the number of two or three; for the multitude of rulers never fails to produce confusion in business, and diffidence in the minds of the subject; and to be upon good terms with such a number of men, is impossible for poor people, as we have already hinted. ### [29.13](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.29.13) It is proper also that in appointing a Fodjdar, with all his dependants and officers, the utmost precautions should be used, taking care to prefer not only none but men of experience and capacity, but also none but men of a humane disposition; and it may be even said that, as Fodjdars go now in these days, there needs none at all. In the cities, the Cutwal will do all that business, full as well, if he be equally able and humane, and little inclined to oppression; and in the country, the man in office or ruler is enough for such a purpose. For when those officers, so appointed, shall know that people can approach their masters, and that there may be instituted inquiries and after-reckonings upon them, you may rest assured that matters shall go on smoothly ; that multitudes shall be released from distress and miseries ; that the intent of dominion and Government shall be fully answered ; and that the Grandees of the land and the people of God shall exert their tongues in displaying the encomiums of such beneficent rulers. Let us then put up our prayers to God, that He may vouchsafe to grant such a blessing! For He is the best succourer, and the best helper. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.29](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.29) · Pramāṇa