Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 33.8.1

33.8.1

Shudjah-ed-dowlah in his own temper was slothful, negligent and careless, but so valorous that, with that single quality of his, he found means to contain the Zemindars and the other refractory people with which his dominions abounded; so that his Government was always respected. He was exceedingly fond of the company of women, without being attached to any, and addicted to every kind of pleasure, without exception, save, however, that of drinking wine. Nevertheless there appeared no impudence in his character, and no contempt of decorum in his behaviour. He had such an abundant fund of goodness, liberality, and benignity, as made him connive at trespasses against his interest, and rendered him ever ready to forgive the guilty. He governed quietly his dominions for three or four years, when the Abdali-king, at the instigation of Mir-sheab-eddin, now styled Umad-el-mulk, invaded Hindostan, and marched directly to Shah-djehan-abad. This was in the year 1170. That Minister's intention was to join an army of Abdalies to an army of Rohillahs and Bangash Afghans, who being inveterate and sworn enemies of Shudjah-ed-dowlah's father and family, would be glad to embrace any scheme for entirely demolishing and ruining that rising power. This league, however, did not intimidate Shudjah-ed-dowlah.