[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) › 32.1 # Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 32.1 A Translation of the Seir Mutaqherin (Haji Mustafa) 32.1 - **Language:** English ### [32.1.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.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](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.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](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.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](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.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](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.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](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.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](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.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](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.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. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.32.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.32.1) · Pramāṇa