Pramāṇa · Search · About · API

Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 32: SECTION XV.

A Translation of the Seir Mutaqherin (Haji Mustafa) 32

Language
English

Contents

SECTION XV.

32.1.1

Several Viceroys of high character are sent for to Court, where Abul-mansur-qhan, one of these, appears with a retinue equally pompous and formidable — Curious anecdote of Mahmed-yar, an officer of great resolution — Origin of Aaly-mahmed-rohilla, the founder of the Rohilla Colony — Origin of the Abdali-Monarch — Emir-qhan killed by Mahmed-shah's order — Origin of Ahmed-shah-abdali, who founds a new monarchy — He marches into Hindostan, takes possession of two provinces, and is defeated in a bloody battle — Heroical character of Cutub-eddin-qhan — Our Author's father makes a friend of him — Death of Mahmed-shah, who is succeeded by his son, Ahmed-shah — Historical account of the private life of four illustrious personages, who died within a little distance from each other : Emir-qhan, Nizam-el-mulk, Camer-eddin-qhan and Mahmed-shah — Weak administration of his son, Ahmed-shah, who becomes crapulous, whilst his mother, Udem-bay, gives up both her heart and person to the Eunuch Djavid-qhan, whom the Vezir Abul-mansur-qhan cannot bear — Dissensions, and a civil war in the Rohilcund, fomented by the Vezir, who, jealous of the nighbourhood of so warlike a tribe as the Rohillahs to his country of Aud, resolves to subdue such restless neighbours — Some of the Rohillahs submit ;

32.1.2

put under the administration of Nevol-ray, a man whose excesses and violences cause a revolt — An Afghan Heroine rouses the whole nation — Nevol-ray defeated and slain — The Vezir, already much incensed, marches against the Afghans — By the way his unruly Moghul troops plunder and sack the town of Barr, wholly inhabited by Seyds — The Vezir, in despair at such calamity, marches against the Afghans, against whom, his troops impressed with superstitious notions at the sacrileges committed lately in the sack and plunder, misbehave and are totally defeated — The Vezir, grievously wounded, is obliged to follow the runaways — The Afghans, after this unexpected victory, attempt Belgram and Lucknow, where they are roughly handled by the inhabitants, a race renowed for bravery ; but they plunder and sack Ilah-abad, without however being able to take the Castle of that City—Singular appearance of a brave Fakyr, who daily exposes himself, daily attacks the enemy, and seems to be invulnerable—The Vezir undismayed by his defeat, makes a spirited and very sarcastical answer to those that thought him undone for ever—Even his Consort thinks of sustaining a siege in her Palace—The Vezir raises another army, plunders Feroh-abad, and beats the Afghans, who submit to their Conquerors.

32.1.3

The lovers of History, and those fond of enquiring into the diversity of events, will remember, doubtless that in closing the Second Volume of the Review of Modern Times, which was finished in the year 1195 of the Hedjrah, by this humblest and most inconsiderable of the sons of men, Gholam-hossein, son to Hedaiet-aaly-qhan, grandson to Seyd-aalim-ollah, and great-grandson to Seyd-faiz-ollah, the Tebatebaite of the race of Hassen, (on all whom may the Divine mercy and forgiveness extend for ever!) I had carried that history as far down as the twenty-second year of the Forgiven Emperor, Mahmed-shah, answering to the year 1152 of the Hedjrah; to which history, I had thought it incumbent upon me to add a full narrative of the affairs of Bengal, being invited thereto by the novelty of the matter, as well as borne away by the number and variety of events that crowded upon me in that particular part. They remember doubtless, I say, that in closing that Volume, I had promised, that if I lived, I would continue the History of that Emperor as well as that of his successors. I do, therefore, undertake to fulfil that promise of mine, in humble hopes that the Bestower of unasked benefits, and the Conferer of unexpected favours, after having assisted me in my former Work, shall vouchsafe to support me in bringing my whole undertaking to a completion;

32.1.4

and that by illuming with some of the rays of His Goodness, the dark understanding of this vile instrument, He shall vouchsafe to direct, with a faint emanation of His unerring wisdom, the trembling pen, and the defective style, of this insufficient individual, so as to keep them unsullied by the blemishes of error, and untainted with the vices of partiality. For He is the Omnipotent One, and the worthy Bestower of Favours. We have already observed, that Nizam-el-mulk, under pretence of a hunting party, but really out of discontent against the Court, had marched out of the capital, and had encamped in its neighbourhood, where he was loitering these many days without any apparent purpose; nor was his intention guessed at, but on the seventeenth of Moharrem, in the year 1153 of the Hedjrah, when that Viceroy hearing of the resolution that had lately taken place at Court, and of Emir-qhan's departure for Ilah-abad, returned to the city, and paid his respects to the Emperor. Some months after he received repeated intelligence that his son, Nizam-ed-dowlah-nassyr-djung, listening to the suggestions of some impudent and thoughtless advisers, acted in an independent manner, and had intirely shaken off all respect for his father's authority.

32.1.5

The old General, obliged to bring his son to order, obtained the Emperor's consent for his departure, and as his intended expedition became incompatible with the exercise of his office of Prince of Princes, he first obtained that his eldest son, Ghazi-eddin-qhan, should be invested with that dignity, as Deputy to his father; and on the fourteenth of the first Djemadi, he set out for the Decan. But as he was perpetually endeavouring to reclaim his rebellious son, and a deal of time was spent in negotiations, and in sending and receiving messages, nine or ten months had already elapsed before he could arrive in the territory of Aoreng-abad, where he encamped on the western parts of that city; and it was the seventh of the second Djemady, in the year 1154, when the father finding that neither reasoning nor entreaties made any impression upon that unnatural son, gave him battle, and took him prisoner, after a sharp engagement, in which the rebellious son was wounded. But this short Civil War in Decan did not interrupt the tranquillity of the capital, nor of the Empire. After Emir-qhan's departure for his Government, Issac-qhan's favour reached to the cupola of Heaven. He became the most beloved of the Emperor's favourites, and at the same time the disinterested advice which he had secretly given in behalf of the Vezir Cammer-eddin-qhan and Nizam-el-mulk having become public, he was likewise cherished by the two latter, as their best friend.

32.1.6

New honours and new emoluments were heaped upon him, and besides the Qhalissah-office, that is, the controul of all the expenditure of the public money, he had the command of a Brigade of Cavalry. The latter was so much increased, that several thousand horses were to be seen at one time, all marked with a Kaf, which was the last letter of his name. He was likewise the Lord on whom the Emperor reposed the greatest confidence. But fate did not permit him long to enjoy so high a degree of favour. His eyes swelled at once, and the swelling gaining his nose, he sunk under his distemper, and in five or six days' illness, he departed this fragile world; and having answered his Lord's invitation, by the words, I am ready, he repaired to the mansions of the Divine Mercy. It was in the month of Safer of the same year. A few days after his demise, the Qhalissa-office, which he had left vacant, was conferred on Abdol-madjid-qhan, a Cashmirian, and he was installed in it with a Qhylaat of six pieces. Issac-qhan having departed his life, on the second of Safer, his three sons, on the ninth, paid their respects to the Emperor, who received them with the greatest kindness, and distinction; and each of them was honoured with a Qhylaat of mourning.

32.1.7

The eldest of them, Mirza-mahmed, had his name changed into that of his father's, Issac-qhan, and in a little time he got so deeply in the Emperor's good graces, that the Monarch was often heard to say, that if Issac-qhan had not left Mirza-mahmed behind, he did not know how he should have been able to go through life. His tenderness for the new Issac-qhan rose so high, that it was customary with him to take the latter's son, then a child, within his throne, and, contrary to the established rules, to make him sit over against himself, like an Imperial Prince. He was no less profuse in his kindnesses to the two younger sons of the late Issac-qhan, who were Mirza-aaly-qhan, and Mirza-mahmed-aaly. It was in this same month of Safer, that Badji-rao, the famous Marhatta General, departed his life, after feeling for some days a pain in his bowels. By his death, the Viceroyalty of Malva being deemed vacant, the same was conferred on Zehir-ed-dowlah-Azim-ollah-qhan, who had espoused the Vezir Camer-eddin-qhan's sister. This nobleman, who was very inconsiderate, having had the imprudence to accept so dangerous an office, was invested in his new Government with a rich Qhylaat. But it availed little; for he had never borne a character for much prudence and great abilities. The Fodjdary of Bessoulah was at the same time conferred on Himmet-dilir-qhan, who received the investiture of it in a Qhylaat of four pieces, to which was added a Sabre;

32.1.8

and he set out for the Capital in the month of the first Reby. A month after, a Qhylaat of confirmation for the Fodjdary of the Do-ab, was bestowed on Djani-qhan, a Tooranian, who had given his daughter in marriage to Muaien-el-mulk, son to the Vezir Camer-eddin-qhan. In the month of the second Djemady, Intyzam-ed-dowlah, second son of that Minister, who on Qhandouran's being slain in the battle against Nadyr-shah, had been appointed Viceroy of Adjmir, was dismissed to his Government; and a few days after, Semsam-ed-dowlah, who bore the same title as his father, Qhandouran, received an additional grade of a thousand horse, in consequence of which his Military rank rose to the command of seven thousand. About the end of the year, and in the night of the twenty-seventh of Redjeb, Mir Fahr-eddin-qhan, one of the sons of the Vezir Camer-eddin-qhan, married the daughter of the late Muzaffer-qhan, brother to Qhandouran; and these nuptials were celebrated with pomp, as were those of Intizam-ed-dowlah, the Vezir's eldest son, with the late Qhandouran's daughter, on the night of the first day of the Ramazan. A strange event closed these rejoicings. The third of Moharrem, of the year one thousand one hundred and fifty-four of the Hedjra, happened to be the New Year's Day.

32.2.1

On the twenty-fourth of Shaaban, of the same year, a daughter was born to Mahmed-shah, from Sahabah-mahal, daughter to Sofian-sooltana-begum, which last was sister to Malekah-zemani, daughter to a sister of Saadat-qhan. This Princess had chanced to be seen by Mahmed-shah, who fell in love with her charms, and having married her, brought her to the Mahal-sera, or Seraglio. About this time, Azim-ollah-qhan, having proved by his ill conduct how little able he was to get the province of Malva out of the hands of the Marhattahs, was neglected by the Emperor, and fell into contempt; he was an opinionated obstinate man, who gave so many proofs of ill conduct, that even the Vezir himself, his kinsman, whose sister he had married, conceived a disgust against his manners. The man, incensed at these marks of general contempt, resolved to shew his resentment in his turn, and had the imprudence to quit all at once the palace of the late Aaly-merdan-qhan where he resided, and to go and encamp without leave at the Char-bagh, a seat belonging to the Vezir, as if to change his ground, exactly like one who intended to set out on an expedition. The Emperor, shocked at his behaviour, vacated his office of Sadr-el-soodoor, and bestowed it on Sheriat-ollah-qhan, who had enjoyed it before. At the same time, the command of the Goozer-bans, or door and way-keepers, was conferred on Agher-qhan, the Turk; as was the Fodjdary of Soharen-poor on Hafiz-eddin-qhan.

32.2.2

This Agher-qhan was, with some other Commanders, ordered to watch and attend Azim-ollah-qhan's behaviour and motions, and they kept round his post for some days; when the man, being sensible of the imprudence of his conduct, thought proper to repent, and to return to his house, where, having dismissed his troops, he lived retired. This same year, it being the Festival of the Sacrifice, a Comet, with a tail of a full yard in length, made its appearance in the sign of Caper, inclining to the south. At last it turned to the north, and after having shined for a full month, it disappeared. And on the thirteenth of Moharrem, being the beginning of the year 1155, the Nourooz, or New Year's Day, was celebrated with the usual ceremonies. There were some more promotions this year.

32.2.3

Radj-mahmed-qhan, the Cazi of Cazies, that is, the Supreme Judge of the Empire, having departed his life, his office was conferred on Moorad-eddin-qhan, and this nobleman was installed in that high dignity with a Qhylaat of four pieces. In the month of Redjeb, Sheriat-ollah-qhan, the Sadr-el-soodoor, son to Mir Djumlah, that great favourite of Feroh-syur's, departed his life. It was in this year that there happened a conjunction of two Planets, in the end of the sign Leo, according to the Astronomical Tables, drawn up under the inspection of the learned Radja Djehi-sing-ketchvaha, by the mathematicians, Mirza Qhair-ollah and Shek Mahmed-ayed, who comprised their observations in a book, commenced and finished under Mahmed-shah. But according to Ooloogh-beg's Tables this conjunction happened in the beginning of the sign of Virgo.

32.2.4

In that same year, Azim-ollah-qhan, tired of living private in his house, eloped from it, and for the second time quitted the city, with an intention to go to Lahor. He was that same day pursued by the sons of the Vezir Camer-eddin-qhan and Haider-cooly-qhan, at the head of the Regiment, called of Cabool, and of some other troops, amongst which was the body of two thousand horse belonging to the Artillery. Azim-ollah-qhan, sensible of his being pursued, made so much haste, that in eight days he arrived at Lahor, where Zekeriah-qhan, who was allied to him, (the two Noblemen having married the two sisters,) received him in his palace, and made him a present of elephants and horses, and of every thing else requisite to appear like a nobleman of his high rank. Meanwhile, those that pursued him, coming to the gates, the Governor received them with respect, gave them an entertainment, and, after having put to them many questions about their ulterior orders, he delivered his brother-in-law into their hands, and dismissed them, satisfied with the reception they had met with. The two officers having marched without stopping, carried their prisoner to Shah-djehan-abad, where he was, by an Imperial order, confined in the Citadel. In this same year, on the last day of the month of Shawal, there happened, in the sign of Virgo, a conjunction of the Planets, of bad omen.

32.2.5

On the seventeenth of Zilcaadah, the Emperor set out of the city on a hunting party, and encamped in a garden contiguous to the town of Louly; but a few days after he was seized by an Esquinancy and a palpitation of the heart, which was soon followed by a pain in the side, and by a swelling that disturbed the animal excretions, and impeded the admission of liquids as well as solids. He was immediately requested to lose some blood, and to suffer an application of some leeches. But this not affording the desired relief, he returned in a few days to the Citadel, where, after some repose, he found himself better. The Nou-roz, or New Year's Day, fell this year on the twenty-fourth of Moharrem, of 1156. On a Tuesday, being the seventh of the first Djemady, of the same year, Saad-eddin-qhan, Mir-ateshy, as well as Steward of the Imperial Household, after having made his obeisance to the presence, went home, and, about midnight, he found himself ill of a pain in the bowels, of which he expired before day-break. His son, having, a few days after, made his appearance before the Emperor, received a Qhylaat of mourning, with the confirmation of his father's two offices; to which was added a fringed Paleky, and an augmentation of his Military grade; so that he was now Commander of five thousand horse, and Grandmaster of the Imperial Palace, as well as Steward of the Household.

32.2.6

In this same year, an Imperial order, backed by notes in the Emperor's hand, was severally dispatched to Emir-qhan, Viceroy of Ilah-abad; to Abool-mansoor-qhan, Governor of Aood; to Zekeriah-qhan, Viceroy of Lahor, and Moltan; to Radja Baht-sing, Rathor; and to Radja Dehiradj-djehising, as well as to several other persons of distinction, requesting their immediate attendance at Court. Nizam-el-mulk likewise received a similar order; but that Viceroy excused himself upon his great age, and the debility of body inseparable from it. The truth is, that being at the head of six Soobahdaries, or Viceroyalties, he thought himself strong enough to decline going to Court; he had besides resolved on conquering the kingdom of Carnatic, had already besieged and taken the fortress of Tir-china-pally, and received Arcat at composition. As to Radja Dehiradj-djehising-sevai, he died the seventh of Shaaban, which was about the time of the Hindoo Festival of the Dessara, when three Ranies or Princesses, his consorts, with three of his concubines, and some of his dancing-women, thought proper to follow him into the other world, and burned themselves together with his body, on his funeral pile, which in the Indian language is termed to become Satti. We have said, that several Viceroys had been ordered to Court.

32.2.7

Abool-mansoor-qhan, on receiving the Imperial command, referred himself for his compliance to Emir-qhan, his neighbour, of Ilah-abad, with whom he was closely connected, and to whom he acknowledged himself beholden for his promotion. That keen-sighted nobleman, thinking that bringing a General of that character to Court would redound to his own honor and advantage, exhorted him to comply with the Imperial mandate, and, on the other hand, Abool-mansoor-qhan having conceived that his affairs would receive some benefit by making a stay at Court, resolved to make the voyage; and he tarried sometime to complete his preparations. Radja Nevol-ray was ordered to act in his absence as his Deputy. This was a man whom he had raised from a common trooper in his service, to the highest dignities at his Court, and whose abilities and zeal were so agreeable to him, that he had lately made him his Paymaster-General. After making his mind easy on that subject, and spending some more time with his several Governors and Deputies, he fixed a day for his departure, as he had given his word to Emir-qhan that he would be in the Capital a few days only after him. The latter put his affairs in order, and left for his Deputy, Syed Mahmed-qhan, an Iranian, renowned for an heroical bravery, which had greatly raised his character, when he commanded at Corrah.

32.2.8

After that he set out on his journey, and on the twenty-ninth of Ramazan, he arrived on the strand of the Djumna, over against the venerable Citadel of the Imperial city. There he was met, two days after, by the Vezir Camer-eddin-qhan, who on that day, which happened to be the festival ending the fast, came out of the city, took him on his own elephant, and carried him to his palace. On that same evening, Emir-qhan went to Court, and had the honor to pay his obeisance, and to kiss the columns of the Imperial throne.

32.3.1

As to Abool-mansoor-qhan, on the day destined for his departure, he heard that Seyd Hedaiet-aaly-qhan, my father, (in whose company I had the honor to be, being then a very young man) was coming to Feiz-abad-Aood; upon which he sent Semi-beg-qhan, his introductor, to receive him at some distance from the city. My father having embraced Semi-beg-qhan, came with him to Feiz-abad, where he paid his respects to Abool-mansoor-qhan; but as that Viceroy was going to mount, and waited only for the favourable moment, the visit was an abridged one; and my illustrious father landed at Semi-beg-qhan's house. In about an hour after, Abdol-rahim-qhan, Astrologer to the Viceroy, having seen the sun in his astrolabe, sent word that this was the favourable moment; and the Governor mounting immediately, went and took his quarters in his Pish-khana, or set of spare tents, that had been pitched for him in a camp at a short distance from the City of Feiz-abad. There he stopped a few days, and then set out for the Capital, carrying with him, not only the best part of his troops, but also his whole family. Being arrived at a particular spot upon the Ganga, between Cannodje and Mekenpoor, famous for the Monument of Sha-Medar, he stopped four days there, both to pay his respects to that venerable spot, and to throw a bridge over the river, with the boats which he always carried with him over land.

32.3.2

The bridge being ready, he first dismissed his Deputy, Radja Nevol-ray, and then bestowed the Fodjdary of Qhair-abad on my father, to which he added this compliment: "You are already fatigued by a long voyage, and I therefore leave you to take some repose; but should you not agree with Raja Nevol-ray, then you shall come to me again at the Capital." This attention was flattering; but my father, not pleased with his being put under the orders of a Deputy, desired to follow him to Court. Being in the territory of Djan-Siter, on the day ending the fast of the Ramazan, that General stopped one day to fulfil the rites of that festival, which consists in marching armed in procession to some distance in the fields, and in assisting at the Qhootbah, for which purpose he ordered a number of tents to be pitched at some distance from his camp; after this he marched on, and arrived in the territory of Shah-djehan-abad. There he was met by his own Agent at Court, Radja Latchimi-narain, and by Seyd-nessar-mohammed-qhan, the Shir-djung, a Lord of the Court, who was son to Syadet-qhan, brother to the late Saadet-qhan, and of course nearly related to Abool-mansoor-qhan. This spot was at three days' journey from the capital; and thither he proceeded in all haste. But being arrived on the bank of the Djumnah, he thought it incumbent upon him to make his appearance with some pomp and magnificence.

32.3.3

Leaving, therefore, his baggage behind, he marched on in great order, being then within sight of the Citadel. He had with him about ten thousand men of Cavalry, all well mounted, and well armed; the Hindostanies upon horses of value of their own country; the Moghuls, of whom his army mostly consisted, upon Persian horses; all stout and vigorous, all armed to advantage, all dressed in scarlet, and cutting an appearance equally pompous and formidable. This body was interspersed with a number of elephants, carrying Ambaris covered with beaten gold. The General was preceded by the elephants richly caparisoned, which carried superb ensigns, and marched slowly, surrounded by his troops. Luckily for him it had rained the whole night, and the morning proved fair and cool, when he made his appearance before the building, called the Octagonal Tower; which being richly gilt, shone in emulation of the then rising sun. The Emperor was there, although not visible. The General, on approaching the tower, alighted from his elephant, and, according to custom, made a profound bow, and stood awhile in a respectful posture. The Monarch answered his bow by sending him one of the roses then before him, with some fruit which was presented by an eunuch of the presence. The Viceroy mounted again and returned to his camp, leaving the Emperor much pleased with the show and the warlike appearance of his troops. All this was yet on the other side of the Djumna.

32.3.4

The eleventh of Shevval having been pointed out to the General as the favourable moment, he early crossed the river, on a bridge which the Emperor had ordered to be thrown over for him, and encamped on a spot on the other side, where he had pitched his camp, and where the Vezir Camer-eddin-qhan had also ordered a number of tents to be pitched for his own retinue, and a magnificent one for himself; that Minister intending to meet the Viceroy, and to bring him to Court. Sometime after the Vezir made his appearance, and having ordered a number of the Viceroy's people who had filled the tents, to withdraw, and to sit without on their Zin-poshes, he filled the largest with his own people, and took his place in it. After tarrying some moments, he came out, with a small number of persons of distinction, and advanced towards a large tent, with a very large enclosure, that embraced a spacious yard. On the Vezir's making his appearance at the gate of the enclosure, the General, who was only attended by a small number of men of distinction, amongst whom was my father, got up from his Mesned, and advanced out to meet him; and the Minister being already in the middle of the yard, they embraced each other, as is the custom in India, and took together their seats on one and the same Mesned. After half an hour's conversation, Paan and several kinds of Aturs were brought in and accepted;

32.3.5

and on the Vezir's getting up, he was presented with a number of qhoans or trays, some covered with curious and costly stuffs, and some with jewels set and unset. After which he departed, and at that very moment he received another present of elephants and horses. And as it had been agreed, that the Minister should precede him to Court, and that the General should follow close, the Vezir was yet within sight, when the General mounted, and, with a deal of pomp and magnificence, he arrived at the gate of the Imperial Palace, where in the evening he had the honour to be presented, and to make his three bows. From thence he repaired to Dara-shecooh's Palace, which had been given by the Emperor to the General's uncle and father-in-law, the famous Saadet-qhan. His army, which was considerable, continued pouring into the city the whole night, and a mighty city it must have been, indeed, where several such Princes, as Abool-mansoor-qhan, Emir-qhan, Zekeriah-qhan, and Nizam-el-mulk, could enter with their numerous armies, and as numerous attendants, without occasioning, in the houses and streets, the least appearance of throng or confusion. The citizens, who had business with those Princes, were obliged to inquire where they had landed ; but the common people knew nothing of either their being come in, or of their being gone out. My forgiven father, also, having hired the seat of Radja Baht-mul, who had been Divan of the Imperial Qhalissah, went into the city.

32.3.6

On the eighteenth of the same month, Shah-nevaz-qhan, son to Zekeriah-qhan, but who was commonly known by the name of Mirza-pahlory, under which he had acquired some character for bravery and military abilities, was in the evening admitted to the honour of paying his bows to the Emperor. A month after, but in the same year, Abed-aaly-qhan, second son to Mir-djemlah, was promoted to the office of Supreme Sadr, and honoured with a Qhylaat ; and four days after Bend-aaly-qhan, son to Ghaïret-qhan the Husseinian, who bore the same title as his maternal-grandfather, namely that of Shir-ef-ken, having been introduced by Emir-qhan, with whom he had come to Court, was graciously received, and presented with a Qhylaat of five pieces. About this time, it being a cool night of the thirteenth Shevval, the nuptials of the Imperial Prince, Ahmed-mirza, with a lady descended from Mehabet-qhan, were celebrated with a deal of magnificence. This same year, 1156, being a Friday, the twenty-fourth of Zilcaadah, a Comet, with a tail half a yard in length, made its appearance, and shone for two-and-twenty days together, beginning with the dusk of the evening, and continuing as late as midnight; it remained motionless betwixt the end of Pisces and the beginning of Aries. At the end of that time, it seemed to move between the two signs towards the south-west;

32.3.7

but then its tail assumed a pike's length, from the fifteenth of the next month of Zilhidja, and the Comet itself became of the bigness and brightness of Vesper, always increasing in magnitude and brilliancy, and inclining towards the east, when it disappeared on the last day of that same month. On the fourth of that month Sheh-saad-ollah, Divan of the musters, departed his life, as did, the next day, Mehr-perver, consort to Bahadyr-shah, and grandmother to Mahmed-shah; and they were both, according to their requests, buried close to Choodja-Cootoob-eddin's monument. This same day the Viceroyalty of Gudjrat was conferred on Fahr-ed-dowlah, brother to Roshen-ed-dowlah.

32.4.1

This was an indifferent choice, but it became necessary; for that Kingdom having, as we have said in the former volumes, been severed from the Imperial jurisdiction, and transferred to the Marhattas, who held it these many years with a strong grasp, no one chose to accept such a charge. But as the new Viceroy bore a character for valour, Mahmed-yar-qhan, whom we have mentioned to have quitted Abool-mansoor-qhan's service, attached himself to him, and engaged him to turn his views towards that dangerous country. The story of that officer is singular enough:—Tired with the laborious life he was obliged to lead in the camp of so active a man as Nadyr-shah, and fearing likewise his animadversion upon some other subjects, he had fled to Hindostan, where he had remained concealed, during that Monarch's sojourn. After his departure, he attached himself to Saadet-qhan, his countryman, who knew him for a man of great courage, and carried him to Feyz-abad, where he soon had an opportunity to signalise his abilities. A report spread at that time at Benares, where that General was with his army, that a great treasure of money was approaching from Bengal under a double escort of Marhattas, commanded by a Marhatta General, and of Hindostanies, commanded by an officer sent by Zin-eddin-ahmed-qhan, Viceroy of Azim-abad. This convoy was sent by Aaly-verdy-qhan of Bengal, to Baladji-rao, the Marhatta Generalissimo, and was then on its way to the Marhatta Camp.

32.4.2

It was this treasure which Mahmed-yar-qhan undertook to carry off. Setting out with about two thousand Moghul horse, he made so much haste to overtake it, that on his arrival at Saherseram, he found himself with only seventy horse. With this handful of men he fell upon the enemy, killed some, threw the whole in disorder, and his troops following apace, he had already beaten the enemy before the whole of his force could arrive. He had killed numbers of them, made some prisoners, dispersed the rest, and seized the treasure, with which he returned to Benares. A service of that importance, instead of promoting his interest, ruined him in Saadet-qhan's mind. The Viceroy took umbrage at so much daringness, and a coolness took place between them; and the Officer, having parted from him in disgust, had now taken service with Fahr-ed-dowlah. The man, full of resentment, expected to be able to debauch the Moghul troops in Abool-mansoor-qhan's service, and to bring into his possession, by some means or other, his artillery also; after which, he doubted not, but under Fahr-ed-dowlah's name, he would drive the Marhattas from Gudjrat. Full of this scheme, he fell to work, and intrigued with the Moghuls.

32.4.3

But those people, who had fled from the laborious life they had led in Nadyr-shah's camp, and now enjoyed some rest in Abool-masoor-qhan's service, did not choose to listen to a man whom they knew to be of a choleric restless temper, that would engage in endless expeditions, and allow them not a moment of rest; and they refused his offers flatly, and none stayed with him but some hundreds of men who had been his companions, and who having personal obligations to him, went over to his camp; and it was with these few men he undertook to carry Fahr-ed-dowlah to Gujrat. He departed accordingly; but his numbers were so small, that all his efforts proved abortive; nor did he gain Fahr-ed-dowlah's heart, who was a man of courage, but of little understanding. The man, not pleased, retired to live in a corner, but being sick of a still life that did not agree with his temper, he returned to Nadyr-shah's camp; and although he had every thing to fear from that Monarch's resentment, he presented himself before him with an undaunted countenance. That Prince, on casting his eyes upon him, recollected him at once, and said, "Since you fled from my resentment, why have you come back?"—"Because," answered the man, "rather than to live amongst cowards, it is better to be killed by a brave man, like you; and now I bring you my head." Nadyr-shah, pleased with his answer, gave him his pardon, and sent him upon a command in Pars, or in Herat.

32.4.4

After Mahmed-yar-qhan's departure, Fahr-ed-dowlah was beaten by the Marhattas, and became their prisoner; nor was it until after a deal of trouble and many sufferings, that he found his way again to Shah-djehan-abad, where he retired to his house. At the end of this year, on the seventh of Zilhidja, there fell such violent rains, and these were mixed with so much hail, and so much lightning and thunder, that people were confounded and amazed. The lightning fell in the Citadel, did a deal of damage in the public Audience Hall, killed two horses and two men, and stunned several others. On the 25th of the same month the Emperor was pleased to honour Sheh-saad-ollah's son with a Qhylaat of mourning; and as by that death the office of Divan of the musters became vacant, the Monarch bestowed it on Abdol-medjid-qhan, the Cashmirian, who on that very day took possession of his office, by sitting in the cacherry or tribunal, and signing some papers. This year, being the one thousand one hundred and fifty seventh of the Hedjrah, the Nou-rooz, or New-Year's Day fell on the sixth of Sefer. This year also Nizam-el-mulk having besieged the Fortress of Paleconda, in the territory of Haiderabad, recovered that stronghold from the hands of Mucarrbe-qhan, the Decanian. A great change happened this same year at Court. As the Emperor was dissatisfied with the Tooranian Lords, at the head of whom were the Vezir Camer-eddin-qhan, and Nizam-el-mulk;

32.4.5

and Saad-eddin-qhan, as well as his son, Hafiz-eddin-qhan, were known to be attached to them, the latter was dismissed from the command of the Imperial Artillery, an office of the utmost importance, and which gives a disposal of the Emperor's person and family; and at the same time the office of Mirateshy, or Grandmaster of the household, was, on Emir-qhan's recommendation, bestowed on Abool-mansoor-qhan; the Emperor at the same time passing a compliment upon the many services he had rendered the State, and expressing his hopes of his continuing to be equally vigilant and faithful. On this promotion Abool-mansoor-qhan ordered the insignia of his office, such as the axes and other articles, to be brought into his presence; and having issued some orders relative to his charge, he took from that day his residence in the Citadel. The next day he obtained, for my forgiven father, the Fodjdary of Sekendera, at a small distance from the Capital, and he introduced him to the Emperor. On my father's paying his obeisance, he was honoured with a Qhylaat which he put on immediately; and it was at the same time that myself, the poor man, was, with my younger brother, Naky-aaly-qhan, honoured with Military grades and the title of Qhan.

32.4.6

We both remained some months at Court, in our father's service, after which we applied to Abool-mansoor-qhan for leave to return to Azim-abad, a city where our family was established these many years, and where I had my glorious mother, my aunt, my uncle, and my brothers; a city where we had contracted connections and friendship, both with Zin-eddin-ahmed-qhan, Viceroy of the province, and with his uncle, Aaly-verdy-qhan. That General not only obtained our demand, but he dismissed us with every mark of honour and kindness, decorating both brothers with a Qhylaat and a Serpitch, and sending by our means his prayers to the Nazem of Azim-abad, and some curious presents to the Viceroy of Bengal. We arrived at Azim-abad, the first of Zilcaadah of that same year, with all our retinue without meeting any accident by the way. At the end of this same year Aya-mull, Prime Minister of the late Maharadja Asiri-sing-sevai, having had the honour to be presented to the Emperor, received a Qhylaat of five pieces ; and on the fifteenth of the same month of the second Djemady, the Vezir Camer-eddin-qhan, who had been out of the city, and had got into a tent for the purpose of condoling with that Prince on his father the late Maharadja's death, and also for bringing him with more honour to Court, paid him a short visit ; and on the evening of that same day, he received a respectful visit from the Gentoo Prince.

32.4.7

In the month of Redjeb, of that same year, Homaioun-baqht, brother to the late Emperor Feroh-syur, and son to Azim ush-shan, departed his life, and he was buried close to Qoodjah-Cootoob-eddin's monument. On the twenty-seventh of Shaaban the Fodjdary of Gvaliar was taken from Qhyzyr-qhan, and bestowed on Emir-qhan ; as was the Government of Cashmir, on Abool-mansoor-qhan, after it was taken from Assed-yar-qhan, a simple man, on whom it had been bestowed by Emir-qhan's recommendation. This Governor now lost his appointment on some bad offices which were rendered him by the same Emir-qhan, and he was denied access to the Emperor's presence. At the same time both Emir-qhan and Abool-mansoor-qhan were honoured by the Emperor with each a rich belt. The latter, who was attached by his office to the Emperor's person, sent Nessar-mahmed-qhan, a relation of his, to take possession of that Government; and he gave him a strong body of both Hindostany and Moghul troops, with instructions to bring the refractory people of that country under some order. This nobleman being arrived in his Government, found means, by dint of promises and by a faint agreement, to engage one Baber-ollah, a man of consequence in that country, but equally powerful and refractory, to come to see him ; but as soon as he had him in his power, he got him seized and confined.

32.4.8

The new Governor after this manoeuvre, spent some time in enjoying the pleasures afforded by that terrestrial Paradise, and then returned to Shah-djehan-abad, after having placed, as Deputy-Governor, a relation of Abool-mansoor-qhan's, called Efrasiab-qhan. On the seventeenth of the Ramazan of that same year, Azim-ollah-qhan, who had been this longwhile kept confined in the Citadel of Shah-djehan-abad, was released from his confinement by death; and he went to join his relations and those that resembled him in character; the next morning, his body having been brought to his house in the city, where the Vezir Cammer-eddin-qhan, who was his near relation, had repaired, according to custom; the throng that accompanied that Minister proved so very great, that the floor of the house, which happened to have a Tah-qhana, and possibly was that moment under some secret influence, gave way, and the body, the Vezir, and all his people fell into the apartment underneath, but, however without receiving any great hurt. The Vezir having escaped that danger, ordered the body to be buried close to the monument of Shah-nizam-eddin. At the end of this same year, about the last day of Zilcaadah, there happened to be an unauspicious conjunction in the sign of Libra. It made its appearance again in the month of Sefer of the year 1150, and having appeared for the third time in Virgo, about the end of the second of Reby, it disappeared entirely.

32.4.9

The last month of this same year, Sooltan Eaz-eddin, son to Muezz-eddin-Djehandar-shah, departed his life.

32.5.1

After having detained the reader's attention with these unimportant events, it is time to introduce to his knowledge a man who has founded a Sovereignty very near the Capital of the Empire. This man is Aaly-mahmed-qhan-Rohillah. We have already mentioned several times in the former volumes the name of that extraordinary man, especially as having been so instrumental in Seif-qhan's ruin and death. This man, originally a son of a Gentoo Ahir, and adopted by an Afghan of no higher pedigree than himself, had a fund of bravery and capacity, which rendered him worthy of command. He availed himself of the neglect and supineness so conspicuous in the Vezir Camer-eddin-qhan's character, to carry his point, and to establish his power firmly in his new dominions on the other side of the Ganga, which he peopled with a multitude of Afghans that flocked to him from all parts, and henceforward took his name. The means by which he raised himself to the pinnacle of fortune, are so extraordinary and so sudden, that it becomes necessary to give here a succinct account of them. He was at first a Commander of a small, body of Afghan Cavalry, with which, having taken service with the two Governors of the province of Moorad-abad, he behaved on all occasions so well, and rendered so many services, that he became a favourite with them both, and acquired a character highly esteemed all over the country.

32.5.2

This country, which was the Djaghir of the Vezir Camer-eddin-qhan, had been for a length of time governed by two Noblemen much in favour with that Minister, namely, Osmet-ollah-qhan, and Ferid-eddin-qhan, who took a particular liking to Aaly-mahmed-Rohillah. The latter had already acquired a high character for prowess and military conduct, by assisting so timely Azim-ollah-qhan, in his engagement against Seif-qhan; and as Azim-ollah-qhan was so nearly related to the Vezir, that officer, by his means, became known to that Minister, who got him decorated with a title, and with a military grade. He procured him likewise the grant of some lands from the Emperor, and gave him from himself the command over some Districts of his Djaghir of Moorad-abad. The man no sooner saw himself in some force and power, than availing himself of the Vezir's inattention, and of the effeminacy of the neighbouring Djaghir-holders, he found means to seize their lands, by way of taking a lease of them; and meanwhile Death having snatched Osmet-ollah-qhan and Ferid-eddin-qhan, those two brave Governors, who had done so much honour to their age, Aaly-mahmed-qhan, who now passed for an Afghan to all intents and purposes, availed himself of that opportunity to engage in his service a number of Afghan Officers and Commanders, who resolved to share his good fortune.

32.5.3

Those men whom the severities of Nadir-shah had driven from their homes, and who were floating at random upon the Ocean of incertitude and despair, were glad to hear of a place of refuge and shelter, and they resorted in shoals to a man who had already acquired so much renown under the name of Rohillah, which was that of one of their clans. The man no sooner saw himself so strongly supported, than he cast a piercing eye upon the state of things in Hindostan. The weakness of the Empire, the effeminacy of its Generals and Grandees, who all aspired to independence, and the inattention of the first Minister, who, wholly engrossed by his pleasures as well as by Court intrigues, spent his time in intemperance and in the company of the handsomest youths he could procure from all parts of the Empire — all these vices of administration — could not escape the sight of so keen a man. He availed himself of so many favourable circumstances to build his own grandeur; and after having remained a long time crouching, he raised his head at once, and setting up for himself, he became refractory, and neglected sending the usual remittances to the Treasury.

32.5.4

The Vezir, roused from his lethargy by so bold a step, sent for Radja Harnund, a Roudja by clan, and having furnished him from his own stores with a sum of money, a train of artillery, and a quantity of rockets, he gave him the Government of Moorad-abad, and the neighbouring countries, with orders to raise as many troops as he might think necessary, for subduing Rohillah, and with him all the refractory Zemindars of those parts. The Radja, having raised an army, marched with his troops and artillery to Moorad-abad; and, proud of his power and forces, he commenced issuing orders, and exacting submission. Rohillah, like a shrewd Politician, kept an attentive eye upon him, and meanwhile he was sending respectful messages, by which he excused the imprudence of his conduct, and requested for the future some abatement in the high rents which had been heretofore expected from him. The Radja, elated with his dignity and the Vezir's support, would not hear of any abatement; he required an unconditional submission, and was intent only on picking up some quarrel with him, and tearing him by the roots. The man, seeing himself thus pressed hard, turned his eyes towards his Afghans, and having assembled the principal men amongst them, he made an exposition of the state of things, and asked them, what was their opinion, and what they intended to do.

32.5.5

The Afghans, a race naturally brave and determined, who breathed nothing but conquests and new establishments, seeing the Radja bent on their destruction, advised Rohillah to stand upon his defence, and requested him to reckon upon their hearty assistance, and support. The man, satisfied to see them so resolute and unanimous, assembled them secretly in several bodies, and on an appointed day, he joined them himself, and effected a general junction; after which he marched against Harnund. The latter sensible now, that matters had grown serious, was already in readiness, and he advanced with intention to fight; nor were the two armies at a great distance, when the Hindoos, who not only are careful observers of the meteors and phenomena of the air, as well as of the motions of celestial bodies, but who trust so far to the conclusions they draw from them, as to think that they concern their happiness in this world as well as in the other; the Brahmans, I say, who abounded in the Radja's army, where they bore a sway, opposed themselves to his moving farther, and requested his waiting for the favourable moment. This request engaged him to raise an intrenchment round his encampment, which he lined with his artillery, in expectation that with soothing messages, and protracted negotiations, he would keep the Afghans at bay, until the favourable day should come.

32.5.6

Rohilla fully informed of all this, as the two armies were so near, suffered himself to be apparently amused, and having spread a report that in the evening he would pay his respects to the Radja, he fell that very night upon his camp, and threw every thing in confusion. It is observable, that intelligence being brought the Radja that the Afghans were approaching in an hostile manner, the man who was then consulting his idols, answered, that this was not a fighting day for them, and went on with his devotions. Meanwhile the Afghans entered the intrenchment, and commenced killing and sacking and plundering every thing in their way. In this confusion Motiram, a Hindoo Commander, mounted his horse with a few of his men, and opposed the enemy; but he was cut down with his followers, and he hastened with them into the regions of eternity. Harnund, all this while, was still in his oratory, and occupied at his devotions with which he went on; and without attempting to get up, or to interrupt his prayers, he suffered himself to be cut down by the astonished Afghans. Rohillah, having in this manner dispersed all that multitude in a little time, found his power established by a victory equally great and easy, and his force recruited by the addition of a treasure in money, and a great train of Artillery. But the Minister was not roused by such an important stroke.

32.5.7

Like a man lost to all sense of honour, he was not ashamed to commence a negotiation with the rebels, and he chose for that purpose his favourite wife, Sholah-poori, and his youngest son, Muaien-ed-dowlah, better known under the name of Mir-mannoo. Aaly-mahmed-qhan, hearing of her errand, and knowing that she was already crossing the Ganga in her boat, got himself into some boats that were at hand, and with a few friends only he crossed over, and paid the Begum and her son his respects and duty. After the first compliments, the dispute about rents and tribute was between them dispatched in a few moments. It is even said, that they concluded a match between the young Lord, and Rohillah's daughter, but we have never heard since that day, that the ceremony of marriage had been performed between the young people. Be it as it will, from that period Aaly-mahmed-qhan rose to figure amongst the Princes of Hindostan, and having in a little time assembled an army of forty thousand determined Afghans, he stretched his dominion from near to near, and established his authority in Moorad-abad, Berheily, Anoulah, Bedaon, Bun-gar, Sambal, and Amroah, as well as in some other places.

32.5.8

Henceforward he became so proud, as to make no account of the Court, and matters remained in that state until the time when Abool-mansoor-qhan, becoming Grandmaster of the Emperor's household, incensed that Monarch against the insolence of Rohillah, and engaged him to exert the Imperial power in chastising and crushing the Afghans.

32.6.1

The Emperor, sensible of the goodness of the advice, and that it arose from zeal for his honor, resolved to march against the rebels; and on the twenty-fourth of Moharrem, he at daybreak displayed the standard of departure, and went in the suburbs to the seat of Loni, as if to change his ground. After a stay of twenty days he proceeded farther, and crossed the river Hendun, from whence he encamped at Dasna. From thence he dispatched Saadat-qhan, maternal-uncle to the Empress Maleka-zemani, with a commission that gave him the Viceroyalty of the province of Delhi, as well as the command of both the capital and its citadel. The Emperor at the same time made him a present of a sabre, and invested him in that new charge, by dressing him in a suit of new clothes, which had just served his Imperial person. The Qhan, having taken his leave, entered the city on the 23rd of Sefer, and the next day he took possession of the citadel, whilst the Emperor, who continued his march, arrived at Sumbul on the first of the Reby; and on the twentieth he encamped at Bedaon. This march struck Aaly-mahmed-qhan with dismay, who not thinking himself a match for an Imperial army, quitted the field, and took shelter in the fortress of Bun-gur, which was immediately besieged;

First 41 of 179 passages. Read on