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Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 4: Battle of Agra between the two brothers.

A Translation of the Seir Mutaqherin (Haji Mustafa) 4

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English

Contents

Battle of Agra between the two brothers.

4.1.1

cavalry. Aazym-ush-shan was himself encamped there, and the combat having grown warmer, he found himself overpowered, and he stopped short to see what Sultan Muazzem's fortune would operate in his behalf. This Prince, who was then on a hunting party, no sooner heard of the enemy's being so near, than he flew to his son's assistance, bringing with him his eldest Muczzeddin, and his best generals with their troops; the combat was growing warm, when an event happened, which by turning the fortune of the day, was taken for a token of approbation from providence on his enterprise. At once there arose such a violent wind, as seemed to give the combatants an idea of the dreadful Ser-Ser that buried the whole tribe of Aad under the sands of Arabia; it blew on the back of Sultan-Muazzem, and full in the face of Aazem-shah's army. This last Prince having given the command of his left wing to his eldest son, Bidar-baqht, and that of his left, to his second son, Vala-dja, was marching to the enemy, having his youngest son, Aly-tebar, then a child, upon his elephant. But he had left Assed-khan, his Vezir, at the camp of Gvaliar with a body of troops. As he was pushing forwards with ardour, Zulficar-khan, his generalissimo, who had also been generalissimo under Aoreng-zib, represented to him: "That as the day was so much spent, and such a violent tempest blew right in his face;

4.1.2

and on the other hand, great part of his troops and artillery were still at a distance behind, it would not be advisable to risk a battle for a throne on such disadvantageous terms: that he thought it expedient to remain satisfied with the advantage gained over the enemy, by having burned one of his quarters, and defeated part of his cavalry; and that to-morrow, when the remainder of the troops with the artillery should have come up, it would be time then, to take in hand the bridle of prosperity, and to put the foot in the stirrup of success and fortune, in order to fall with one joint effort on an enemy already intimidated." This speech made a strange effect. The Prince who had a high opinion of his own military character, and that of his troops, and made little account of his brother and his party, having answered by some expressions that betrayed his anger and resentment, the generalissimo, who was known for a man of much valor and much discernment, replied that since his majesty would not listen to an advice dictated by zeal and prudence, and he chose to run head-long into his own ruin, he hoped he would not find fault with him, if he took his leave of a cause that looked so ominous : The Prince, full of indignation, having rejoined by a few broken words, of bitterness and anguish, turned his face from that officer, just as fortune had now turned hers from himself ;

4.1.3

and Zulficar-khan, without further explanation, spurred his horse, and went to join his father who had been left in the camp of Gualiar. Aazem-shah, without minding his retreat, fell on the enemy with the utmost fury ; and the valorous on both sides being as eager as himself to shew their prowess, a mighty slaughter was taking place on both sides. But the wind blowing with more violence than ever, raised such clouds of dust and sand, that the field of battle was entirely darkened, the troops were blinded ; and it became impossible to distinguish the friend from the foe. It has been assured by several persons of character who had fought in that battle, that the sand was so hot and so big, and it choked so effectually the mouths and eyes of the combatants, that no one could stand such a tempest, but by turning his head about ; no arrow fallen from a bow could be distinguished at more than a only a few paces distance ; and beyond a few paces it could be taken up no more. Notwithstanding all these disadvantages against themselves, the troops of Aazem-shah were gaining ground ; the enemy's army was in danger ; and the fury both of officers and men was so great, that to this day this battle of Ecber-abad is renowned all over Hindostan for obstinacy and slaughter.

4.1.4

There was then in Aazem-shah's army an Afghan officer of great strength of body, and much prowess, called Munevver-khan : he was followed by five thousand men of his nation ; and as he used to say that a day of battle was a wedding day for the brave, he had dressed himself in cloth of gold, and had given a similar turban to every one of his men, every one of whom was ready to shed his blood with that of the enemy. This officer having found a favourable moment, drew near Aazem-shah, and requested leave to get on horseback, in order to rush on the enemy, and shew to all the world how zealous he was for his master's cause, and how prodigal of his blood in so noble a service. The Prince answered his request, by desiring him to remain upon the elephant he had been allotted from the imperial stables; and the officer mortified at the refusal, pushed at the head of his troops as far as the centre, where commanded Azim-ush-shan himself. He was opposed by Hussein-aaly-khan, and some other officers of character, who were sons to the illustrious Seyd-abdollah-khan of Adjmir, better known under the appellation of Mia-khan. But the enemy pushed on with so much violence, that most of those officers were slain together with their men; and Hussein-aaly-khan himself, having received several hideous wounds, fell senseless on the ground. The enemy had lost full as many men;

4.1.5

but Munevver-khan having exhorted the few that remained to him, pushed as far as Azim-ush-shan's elephant, and having then in his hands one of those spears called Belem by the Indians, he ran it with so much violence against the boards of the Prince's haodah, that it came out at the board on the opposite side; and the Prince had infallibly been killed, had he not shunned the blow, by inclining his body quite to the left. That brave man after performing such feats of prowess, fell at last among the few intrepid men that had refused to survive their heroical commander. This bloody action cost the lives of an infinity of illustrious persons. The Prince Bidar-baqht, who commanded the left wing, fell dead, as did Valadja, his brother, a young prince who had never seen an action, and then drank up to the dregs the bitter potion presented him that day by the grim cup-bearer, death. It became necessary to announce these two losses to Aazem-shah, their father ; and this unfortunate Prince, who tenderly loved his children, and had a particular affection for the eldest, fetched a deep sigh, and said : that victory and life were henceforward of no use to him. With these words he ordered his driver to carry him into the middle of the enemy's ranks, where his haodah was so thick stuck with arrows, that one would have imagined there had rained arrows that day. He was followed by a chosen body, personally attached to him; not one of whom would leave their master.

4.1.6

The Prince, careless of his own safety, but anxious about the royal child, Aaly-tebar, had covered him with his bucler, after having made him squat in the haodah ; and he himself now remained uncovered : still he was pushing on, filling his bow incessantly : But vain were all those efforts : the day was already far spent ; fortune had declared herself; and his best officers were slain, such as Terbyet-khan, Aman-ollah-khan, and Metleb-khan, with the two brothers, Munevver-khan and Khan-aalem, together with the Gentoo Princes, Radja Ram-sing and Radja Dilpet, with an infinity of their troops : in one word, his two hopeful sons were no more. Aazem-shah himself wounded by several musquet-balls, had fallen senseless in his haodah, when a wretched officer of the name of Rostem-dil-khan, having got upon that hero's elephant, was not ashamed to cut off his head. He then took the Royal child Aaly-tebar by the hand, and carried the one and the other to Sultan Muazzem, his master. This sight made a deep impression on the Emperor : the sight of his brother's bloody head was more than his sensibility could bear ; he fetched many a deep sob, and wept bitterly. As to the royal orphan, he pressed him to his bosom, did everything to pacify him ; and in the sequel, he conceived so much affection for him, that he never put any difference between him and his own children. The latter took umbrage at so much tenderness, and once they represented, and complained.

4.1.7

But they were silenced with this answer from the Emperor's mouth ; " If your inquietude "be about his being inimical to my fortune and crown, I inform " you, that you are much likelier to be so yourselves than he ; " and that this child, in case of need, shall prove more anxious " for my preservation than any of you."

4.2.1

Fortune having put an end to Aazem-shah's reign and party, his ministers and generals joined Assed-khan, the Vezir, and Zulficar-khan, the generalissimo; and went in a body to pay their homage to Sultan Muazzem, now styled Bahadyr-shah, or the Valiant King. The Vezir and the generalissimo had got their own hands bound with a handkerchief; and it was in that condition they presented themselves, and made a profound bow: this sight affected the Emperor's sensibility; he was seen to move from his place, and with his own hands, to set the Vezir's hands at liberty: turning at the same time to his son, Muezzeddin, he bid him go, and loosen the generalissimo's hands. Not content with so much condescension, he made it a point to speak with the utmost kindness to both the father and son, especially to the former; and sending for one of his imperial suits of clothes, he ordered him to put it on directly, an honor, very seldom conferred on a subject, and which raised the old minister as high as the celestial mansions. When he saw him dressed, he did him the honor of an embrace, made him sit down in his presence, gave him the command and pay of 7,000 horses, with the grade attached to one of nine, added to all this a present of two corrors of Dams, and directed, that his Paleky should be admitted within the Imperial enclosure, as far as the gate of the Ghossel-qhana or Bathing-place, (an honor granted only to Imperial Princes);

4.2.2

and that his music might play within the Imperial precincts: As a last token of his favour, he gave him the title of Djelil-al-cadr, with the office of Vekil-Mutlac or Lieutenant-General, and absolute all over the Empire. Munaam-khan received at the same time the title of Djumlet-el-mulk, with the office of Supreme Vezir, and the Government of the Province of Ecber-abad, which became an annex to that office. His station in the Cachury or Office-hall, was fixed at the right hand of Assed-khan, with power to set his own seal upon all Public Papers below that of the Prime Minister's.

4.2.3

After all these arrangements, the new Emperor turned his attention towards the conduct of some Gentoo Princes, and chiefly towards that of Djehi-sing, Radja of Amber, who had sided with Aazem-shah; and as his own brother, Bedji-sing, had sided with the Emperor, to whom he proved very useful, he was placed in his brother's stead, and the latter received orders to attend at Court. Adjet-sing, son of Djesvent-sing-rhator, Zemindar of Djoodeipoor, had likewise sided with Aazem-shah, and, moreover, had proved refractory and rebellious. Such a conduct deserved immediate attention; and the Emperor having marched into those countries, took those two fortresses out of the hands of the hereditary Princes, and put them under the management of the Imperial Officers, after having ordered the dispossessed Zemindars to attend the Imperial Stirrup, and to live henceforward at Court. At the same time, Assed-khan was ordered to repair to the capital of the Empire, which, with its Province, was henceforward to be under his special care. And in this manner every part of the Empire was coming into order; and every heart being gained by the Emperor's goodness, served to strengthen the throne. Unluckily, there arose a civil war between the two remaining sons of Aoreng-zib. Prince Cambaqhsh no sooner heard of his brother's death, than he prepared to oppose the victorious party, being of too haughty a disposition to brook submission, or even tranquillity.

4.2.4

In vain did the new Emperor send him soothing messages, and advised him, in a mild manner, to be quiet and to live in peace. This mild pacific disposition served only to encourage Cambaqhsh; and he sent answers that breathed nothing but anger and defiance. Even these the Emperor would have overlooked; but finding himself urged and reproached by his own sons, he resolved to oppose Cambaqhsh. With that view, he set out at half an hour before midnight, being on Monday, the seventeenth of Shaaban, in the year 1119, and marched towards Bidjapoor, by the way of Fateh-poor and Adjmir. The third of Zilcad of the ensuing year, being a Wednesday, the two armies fought in the environs of Haiderabad, of which city Cambaqhsh had made himself master. After repeated attacks, and much slaughter, Bahadyr-shah's army drove the enemy out of the field of battle, and remained victorious. This happened at midnight, and by this time, most of those that were personally attached to Cambaqhsh being slain, the rest betook themselves to flight, leaving a complete victory to the enemy. The Prince himself, after exhibiting several feats of royal prowess, and receiving several mortal wounds, had fallen senseless on the ground, with hardly any other sign of life, than a faint respiration. It was in that condition that the victorious found him. He was immediately raised, placed upon an elephant with his children, and sent to the Emperor.

4.2.5

On notice of this, the Emperor sent his eldest son, Muezzeddin, with orders to shew him every mark of honor and respect; and on the wounded Prince being arrived, he directed he should be lodged in a retired tent, within the Imperial enclosure; and he went on foot to pay him a visit. On discovering his body, he fetched a deep sob, and said, "I have never wished to see you in that condition." The Prince raising with pain his dying eyes, answered, "nor did I ever wish to see you in that condition, neither," and expired. The Emperor exceedingly affected by such a sight, retired to his own apartment, taking with him the young orphans, his nephews. He ordered them to be educated in the same manner, as he had done Aaly-tebar; and he made it a point always to lend a deaf ear to the repeated remonstrances and bitter reproaches of his own children.

4.2.6

This battle having rendered Bahadyr-shah master of all the Decan, as well as put an end to all competition with respect to Hindostan; and his authority being now firmly established, he conceived that this was the time to introduce some changes which he had in his mind. One day he represented, in a mild tone of voice, both to Assed-khan and to his son, Zulficar-khan, the generalissimo, "that Munaam-khan was an ancient servant of his, and a zealous friend, extremely attached to his person, Whilst I was yet only the Imperial Prince, added he, I promised that I would make him my Vezir, whenever the crown should devolve to me; and now he reminds me of my own promise; but as I intend not to disoblige you on one hand; and on the "other, to break my word would look like a proceeding unworthy of the Majesty of an Emperor; I wish you would advise me in such a delicate emergency, and point out some expedient that may give satisfaction to both sides, without wounding my delicacy and sense of honor."

4.2.7

Assed-khan on observing the Emperor's inclination, answered: "That a fidelity to their word was always incumbent upon Emperors; but that he hoped likewise that the honor of two faithful servants that had zealously served the imperial family for such a number of years, would be guarded from an affront." This answer having eased the Emperor's mind, he directed that Assed-khan should be immediately appointed to the high office of Vekil-Mutlac, or Agent-General and absolute of the Emperor's; and he ordered that he should be invested with a rich Qhylaat or dress of honor. Munaam-khan, at the same time, who had often acted as Agent-General to the Imperial Princes, and as Divan or Superintendent of his Revenue-office, was invested with the Qhylaat of Vezir; and the Imperial Casket and Seal were put in his hands. The rank of these two illustrious men was also settled by the Emperor himself, who directed that after Assed-khan should take his seat on the carpet of Agent-General, and under the canopy of the Vezir-ship, Munaam-khan should walk up to him in a respectful manner, and should present to him the papers that might require his signature. This regulation having satisfied both these illustrious personages, they joined their efforts in dispatching the affairs of state, and in promoting the welfare of the Empire, which conduct after all was their immediate duty, and ought to be the intent and scope of employment and service.

4.2.8

Zulficar-khan, the Generalissimo, was decorated with the title and office of Emîr-ul-omrah, and appointed to the government general of the Decan, comprehending all the provinces conquered already, or to be conquered hereafter — a charge of importance which he richly deserved : for no other man at that time would have been able to bring under control, countries so newly conquered and so refractory. The new Viceroy after having settled to his mind, the military and finances of his government, returned to Court, after having left for his Lieutenant, a famous Afghan Nobleman of those parts, called Daûd-khan-peni, a man extremely powerful in those countries, where his riches, his bodily strength, and his personal prowess, had rendered him so famous and of so much importance, that there were no noblemen in Decan, that could be compared to him. He not only was made the hinge of all public affairs, with power to bind or loosen as he should think proper, but he had also the finance department put in the palm of his hand, with full liberty to undertake any military expedition which he should think advisable.

4.3.1

Zulficar-khan, after having eased his mind of so great a burthen, went to Court, where he applied himself sedulously in spreading order and arrangement through every part of the Empire ; and as the provinces of Bengala, Orissa, Aazimabad, and Ilah-abad, had hitherto been governed by Azim-ush-shan, the Emperor's second son, it was thought proper to continue those countries under the same administration. This put it in the Prince's power, to reward nobly two illustrious lords, that had rendered him many important services, and had distinguished themselves so valiantly in the great battle of Ecber-abad. These were Abdollah-khan, and Seid-aaly-khan, both sons of the famous Seid-abdollah-khan, so much revered in Adjmir under the name of Mia-khan. On the elder, Abdollah-khan, he conferred the Government of Ilahabad ; and he gave that of Aazimabad to the younger, Seid-aaly-khan. Djaafer-khan was entrusted with the provinces of Bengala and Orissa, in which he acted already as Divan. After all these arrangements, the prince took his residence in his father's court, where he bore a great sway in every thing. For the Emperor, who was exceedingly good natured, and mild even to a defect, having remembered a vow which he had once made to the Creator of Spirits and men, that if ever he should ascend the throne, he would never deny any man's request, now wanted to act up to that oath of his ;

4.3.2

and therefore, dignities, titles, and employments were lavished away with so undistinguishing a profusion, that they lost much of their value, and ceased to be marks of honor and distinction, although no less a man than Munaam-khan had been appointed to examine the several requests, and to adjust the respective claims. Nevertheless, as men of low rank, whether Hindoos or Musulmen, obtained every day grades of six or seven thousand horse ; and the titles of Djung, and Mulk, as well as those of Rai and Radja, were given to all comers ; dignities came at last to lose their weight and titles to forfeit all credit.

4.3.3

Meanwhile, the army which pushed forward towards Hindostan, had been overtaken by the rainy season ; and it was at such a time as this, that the Minister thought proper to bestow the Government of G8drat on Ghazi-eddin-khan, who enjoyed already that of Barar, to which he had been appointed by Aoreng-zib; but such was the feebleness of the Ministry, and such the contempt into which their administration had fallen, that the new Governor set out without leave, and even without waiting on the Emperor. This insolence of his having been passed over, encouraged the two dispossessed Gentoo Princes, who lived at Court, to take the same liberties. These were Radja Djehising-ketchoa, and Adjet-sing-rhator: they both quitted the Court without leave, and having crossed the Nerbedda, they returned to their own country, where having ejected with a great deal of fighting and slaughter, the Imperial Officers established themselves in their fortresses; they retook possession of them, and reinstated themselves in their own dominions. So much presumption had at last roused the Emperor. He crossed the Nerbedda with intention to chastise the Gentoo Princes, who had so far availed themselves of their distance from court, and the inattention of the times, that they had given battle to the three Seid brothers, Ahmed-khan, Hossein-khan and Ghairct-khan, who had been all three slain, and all three had on the same day received the palm of martyrdom.

4.3.4

This particular had added to the Emperor's indignation, as well as to the apprehensions of those Radj-poots; when an intelligence arrived at court, which made it expedient to temporise with them, and to accept of the submission of those two Princes who paid their homage as the Emperor was passing on his elephant. He was then indisposed; but the intelligence engaged him to postpone every consideration, in order to smother the fire which G8r8-govind, at the head of his Sycks, had raised in the mountains. That incendiary had got himself followed by the Radja and inhabitants of that snowy-country; and he had slain in battle, Vezir-khan, the Fodjar of Ser-hend. The Emperor, shocked at their ravages, ordered Assed-khan and Zulficar-khan to ascend those mountains, and to blockade, on all sides, the stronghold in which the Gûrû had shut himself up; but in the night, the Radja, who was acquainted with a particular path, found means to elude the enemy's vigilance and to escape with all his followers, of whom only a few were intercepted: a neglect that very much affected Assed-khan's character. The Emperor finding that no glory was to be acquired in that country, left Rostem-dil-khan in it, with a body of troops, and turned towards Lahor; and it was in that city that Assed-khan departed this fragile world. His office of Lieutenant-General to the Emperor was given to Hedaiet-aaly-khan, son to Enaiet-eddin-khan; and he was installed in it with a rich dress of honor.

4.3.5

Ghazi-ed-din-khan, likewise, departed his life in his government of Gûdjrat. The Emperor was then encamped on the banks of the Ravi, the river that flows at Lahor; and it was there that Rostem-dil-khan had the assurance to shew his face at court, after having had the meanness to quit his post, and that too without leave. His impudence met with what it deserved. He was deprived of his grade, command, Djaghir, and confined in the citadel of Lahor; and Mahmed-amin-khan was sent in his stead. Some strange events happened during the Emperor's residence in that city. As he was fond of the company of the learned and ingenious, and he passed himself for an acute proficient in the subtilities of sciences, and especially in whatever concerns law and divinity, (qualities in which he surpassed by far all the Princes of the House of Timur) so he loved to be surrounded with people skilled in those matters, and he discoursed with pleasure on those subjects; but as he had discovered, by the strength of his own genius, that the sect of the Imamites was the only rightful one, and he had set his heart on it, he on his arrival at Lahor, assembled the learned of that city, most of them staunch Sunnies, and argued with them about the justice of the right of his Majesty, the King of Holiness, the Commander of the Faithful, Saint Aaly, son to Abu-taaleb (on whom be grace and peace!). These men were all confuted;

4.3.6

and the confusion in which he saw them, made him conceive the design of adding to the usual profession of faith, as uttered in the public prayers, and in the Qhotba, the words, "And Aaly is the Saint of God, and the Heir of the Messenger of God." An affair of so much importance required a power absolute, and a great firmness of mind, qualities, which were never eminent in the characters of the Princes of the House of Timur, especially in those of the latter times; and, as on the other hand, the Emperor's eldest sons, Azim-ush-shan, and Qhodjistah-aqhter, both men of courage and merit, were extremely zealous for the Sunni tenets, this innovation proved very unwelcome, and could take no root. The Emperor himself became apprehensive of a vigorous opposition on that head; so that his will remained without effect. Still unwilling to abandon his design without making some trial of its practicability, he one day sent a Shijah reader to the main Mosque, after having put him under the safeguard of Azim-ushshan's company. The Prince, who was in his heart averse to such an innovation, took the man with him, out of respect to his father's pleasure; but proved entirely passive when the congregation, which was mostly composed of Hanefies, having got information of the scheme, fell upon that innocent man, and hacked him to pieces, before he had time to utter the offensive words!

4.3.7

This commotion was followed by another. The men learned in the law, and some principal inhabitants, all men of the Sunni principles, having forthwith assembled in the Cathedral, sent a message, by which they invited the Emperor over to the right party, and required every inhabitant, Musselman or Gentoo, good or bad, to be assisting with their persons and fortunes; but the Emperor, without minding the invitation, continued during the remainder of his life, to promote the tenets of the Shijahs, and to pass a great deal of his time in arguing with the Doctors of the opposite party; although to no purpose at all. And, indeed, if the promulgation of new principles depended entirely on argument and reason, why should the Prince of Prophets and Chief of Messengers, (on whom, as well as on his posterity, be salutation and peace to the end of time!) have received orders to fight from the Lord of the Creation—he who was confessedly the most eloquent man of his time, whether in Arabia or in Iran?

4.3.8

Five years had already elapsed since the Emperor's accession to the throne, and it was the third year since he was encamped on the Ravi, close to the city of Lahor, when some alteration was perceived in his mind. It was about the middle of Muharrem, in the year 1124 of the Hedjra. One day, he took into his head to give orders for killing all the dogs in camp, as well as all those in the city of Lahor. As such an order, from so sensible a Prince, could not appear but very strange, people were willing to account for it by supposing that some witchcraft or enchantment had been practised upon his person. Such a state of things was the more disagreeable, as the Sycks were becoming equally numerous and troublesome. Forbidden from coming into the city of Lahor, not one of them was to be seen in the day-time; but as soon as it was dark, they never failed to return to the houses of those that used to feed and cherish them; and this manege lasted during the whole night: for at day-break they would throw themselves in the Ravi, and after having swam on the other side, they lurked in the neighbouring fields.

4.4.1

These manoeuvres of the Sycks, as well as the tumult in the Cathedral, I have mentioned upon the faith of a letter which Amin-ed-döula, of Sambal, had written to his children, and which I have found at length in the papers of his secretary. The latter says, that the Emperor incensed against the Doctors that had excited the tumult which had cost the reader's life, had ordered some of them to be thrown into a prison, and some others to be sent to the fortress of Gvaliar. Sometimes after, the Emperor having felt a slight indisposition of which no one suspected the ill end, at once fell into a swoon, in which he suddenly departed from this world, to hasten to a corner of the mansions of eternal mercy. It was the 19th of Muharrem, about two hours before night. The Prince Azim-ush-shan, who happened to be present when the Emperor fell into a swoon, finding himself unable to stand such a spectacle, had quitted that spot, and retired to his own camp, after having recommended to Amin-ed-döula to tarry a few hours more, in order to bring him a sure intelligence about so mournful an event. So that as soon as the Emperor expired, that nobleman had repaired to the Prince, and had informed him that his father was no more, and that all was over. The Prince wept bitterly; but Amin-ed-döula having dried his tears with a handkerchief, bid him stand up, and take his party instantly, as not a moment was to be lost.

4.4.2

"Ascend the throne," said he, "at once, and order the Imperial kettle-drums and music to strike up immediately;" and this being complied with, the few courtiers that chanced to be at hand, made haste to present their Nazers according to custom, and wished the Prince a long, happy reign. At this very time Amin-ed-döula with Naamet-ollah-khan, and some others, represented that Zulficar-khan, the Generalissimo, as well as Hamid-ed-din-khan, who were both inimical to him, were actually busy in fitting up the imperial body, and would be taken up with that ceremony as far as the grave, and of course could afford a precious delay, in which they both might be seized and secured. The Prince seemingly unmoved by so important an advice, answered, "that the Imperial honor would suffer from such a hasty indecent proceeding; and that for his own part he trusted solely to his own right, and to God Almighty's assistance; the more so, as after all, Zulficar-khan could do but little." This answer struck his advisers and well-wishers dumb; and they said in a low voice: "May God turn this into some good!" In fact, the Prince was guilty of an enormous oversight, and that too, at the very threshold of his throne. Nevertheless, Naamet-ollah-khan, of his own motion, went away directly, and putting himself at the head of a numerous brigade of his own, he marched straight to the imperial paling;

4.4.3

where having found the generalissimo already gone to his camp, and in the middle of his troops, he returned to the Prince, after having missed his blow. It must be observed that Azim-ush-shan had always borne a great sway in his father's life-time, under whom he had acted as his Lieutenant-General, whether in signing papers, or in dispatching business; and as the whole household, to which he commanded, as grand-master, was devoted to him, he had found no difficulty in taking possession of his father's treasures, and ascending the throne; a step which had afforded some assurance and some satisfaction to the troops in camp. But this was not the case of all. Numbers that looked more narrowly into the matter, were apprehensive of troubles and much bloodshed; so that whoever could provide himself with a carriage or a beast of burthen, made haste to send his family with his best effects into Lahor, during the whole night, whilst others went within the the Imperial paling and took their abode there. Whilst all this was going forward, the Physicians, Sadyc-khan and Hekin-el-mulk, together with Mehabet-khan and all the Ministers of State, as well as all the Crown officers, went in a body to pay their homages to Azim-ush-shan. They were led by Shah-nevaz-khan and Hamid-eddin-khan. On the other hand, Rostem-dil-khan and some others acknowledged Qhodjistah-aqhter.

4.4.4

But Zulficar-khan, the Generalissimo, who did not like this Prince, and was upon bad terms with Azim-ush-shan, repaired to the eldest son, Muezzeddin, and asked him whether he had any commands to lay upon him? "None at all," answered the Prince, "at least at present, for I have neither money nor troops, having added to the Imperial army whatever I could bring together, when I came to join my father. But I intend to retire into my Government of Multan, where I expect to collect forces as well as the means of appearing again upon the stage of the world, at which time I shall act as fortune shall point out." The Generalissimo disapproved of such a dilatory party, offered money, troops, and artillery out of his own private stores, and proposed to join immediately both Qhodjistah-aqhter and Refi-al-cadr, by which junction they would disperse Azim-ush-shan's party, after which it might be time for the three brothers to consult together about further measures. This proposal was not relished by Muezzeddin, who trusting but little to the Generalissimo's promises or power, desired him first of all to go and find his two brothers.

4.4.5

Zulficar-khan returned directly to his own camp, where having assembled what money and effects he thought necessary, he sent the whole to Muezzeddin, repairing at the same time to the quarters of the two other Princes, whose hearts he gained at the first interview, after having made them agree to an equal division of the treasures and effects of the late Emperor.

4.4.6

All this while Azim-ush-shan, surrounded by Crown officers, and by the courtiers and generals attached to his party, was sitting on the throne in full possession of the Imperial honors, but resolved to fall on whoever should venture to attack him. He surrounded his camp with a ditch, planted his cannon round, and for a few days waited the event, in hopes that the other pretenders, having no money, their troops would disperse of themselves, or come over to his camp. But as fortune was not on his side, it happened that the very reverse of all that came to take place ; for Zulficar-khan, after having performed a service that seemed above all reward, invited the Princes to join together ; and this being agreed to unanimously, they repaired with him to Muezzeddin's camp, where they formed him a court worthy of the Imperial splendour. This happened in the 1124 year of the Hedjrah. The next day, they marched to attack Azim-ush-shan, and a royal battle was fought ; but as destiny was against him, in a little time his troops were defeated, and they fled on all sides ; but what is singular, is that Azim-ush-shan's body could not be found, notwithstanding all the search made for that purpose. This event was related in the following manner : — The first day, there was a slight attack from the enemy ;

4.4.7

but as if they had changed their minds, they contented themselves, for seven days together, with firing showers of cannon-ball into Azim-ush-shan's camp, from which they were answered in the same style. On the seventh day, Naamet-ollah-khan and Aziz-khan, with Radja Mohcum-sing the Cahtri, and Radja Radj-sing the Djatt, came in a body with Shah-nevaz-khan at their head ; and they represented to that Prince, that as his enemies were not yet grown so numerous as had been apprehended, it was possible to attack them, and to disperse their troops, by sallying upon them at once, and coming to hand-blows. For all answer, the Prince desired them to wait a little, and with this order they were obliged to comply. The Prince hoped that as the Djatt Churamon, and the Bandjarras, had so beset the roads, that no provisions could reach the enemy's camp, the latter would soon be obliged to disperse for want of daily food. Whilst he was so much inclined to dilatory measures, he took none to gain the hearts of his troops. Extremely sparing of those treasures he had found ready under his hand, he looked like one anxious to carry them to the other world with him. With such a scheme in his head, no wonder that whenever any bolder advice was proposed, he was sure to mar it, by answering those very words of his — wait a little more.

4.4.8

On the eighth day, Zulficar-khan, having fetched from the city of Lahor, several large pieces of cannon, got them planted on a raised advantageous ground, from which they were incessantly pouring showers of large balls into Azim-ush-shan's camp; and as in order to bring up the cannon, the enemy had set open the road to Lahor, the troops of Azim-ush-shan, already exceedingly disgusted, availed themselves of that opportunity to put themselves out of the reach of a heavy fire, by retiring from the rear of his camp. This state of inaction having highly disgusted the two Gentoo Radjas, they repaired to the Prince at the head of their troops, and represented to him that "as there were no means left to tarry in his camp, and they would put up no more with the eternal taunts of the enemy, they were resolved to fall upon them with their own men, whether they should be supported or not, being determined on taking their chance." To this animated remonstrance the Prince made no other answer than this — wait a little more. The two brave Gentoos shocked at such a reception, vented their indignation in expressions of reproach, and with one and the same breath, they sallied forth, and fell sword in hand upon the enemy. As these did not expect such a sudden attack, they were surprized and gave way; and the two Princes, after performing wonders, and passing through the enemy's ranks, penetrated as far as the battery in question, of which they took possession.

4.4.9

This was the time to support those brave men; but so far was the Prince from any such exertion, that he sent his Aid-de-camps abroad to reprimand and bring back some commanders that had sallied forth of their own accord. This moment of suspense having been observed by the Generalissimo and Rostem-dil-khan, they made a brisk attack upon the Gentoo Princes, who received them with great bravery, and a sharp engagement took place; but the two Gentoos, overpowered by numbers, having fallen mortally wounded, their men lost courage, and fled towards Lahor, at the very time that a brave Afghan, called Suleiman-khan-peni was coming to their assistance with a thousand horse of his nation. He came just in time enough to lose his own life by a musquet-ball, and his body was sent to the city by the victors.

4.5.1

Of about sixty or seventy thousand horse that had been in Azim-ush-shan's army, there remained now about his elephant, no more than about ten or twelve thousand; and these, as soon as the Prince was returned to his quarters in the evening, retired to Lahor by shoals—so that the next morning he found himself with no more than two or three thousand men; and with this handful, he wanted to march up to the enemy; but as they had brought him his accustomed elephant, and he was going to mount, the animal refused to kneel, whatever his driver could do to oblige him; and the Prince was obliged to send for another. By this time, even the few that remained with him had disappeared, and on putting his elephant in motion, he found about his person, only Naamet-ollah-khan, with ten troopers, Amin-ed-döula-khan, with twenty, and Radja Djehi-sing, with a little more than a thousand;—all his people, of all sorts, not amounting to two thousand men; still he was advancing to the field of battle; but hardly was the action commenced, when there arose such a violent wind as put in motion all the sands of the Ravi; and it raised such clouds of dust, as left no other party than that of shutting one's eyes, and turning the head away from the violence of the hurricane; nor was it possible to open an eye but to see the flash, or to unstop an ear but to hear the report of the enemy's cannon. Some troops of cavalry having come upon their rear at this moment, let fly a shower of arrows;

4.5.2

but as there was no seeing Azim-ush-shan's person, they pushed forwards to plunder his treasures. A moment after, a cannon-ball striking the Micdember, or throne, on which he was sitting, set on fire the pillows, and occasioned much smoke. The Prince, to save his life, threw all the furniture down; and Amin-ed-döula having asked whether he was not hurt, was answered, "Not at all—go on—go on." At these words, the General having fetched several deep sobs, and dropped some tears, was reprimanded by the Prince, who, with a magnanimity remarked by all, reproached him for his want of firmness. "Firmness!" answered the General, "what purpose can it answer to us now? The vessel of our hopes is going to be dashed against rocks; and nothing remains to me but to strike my head against a stone, or a stone against my head. In vain have all your faithful servants been entreating you to let them sally forth, and march to a general attack; in vain did they repeat their instances for so salutary a measure: your answer was always these words, of bad omen, — 'Wait a little more;' but after all, how could your Majesty do otherwise, since it was in the Almighty's decree, that we should be undone? Still there remains one party; it is yet time to take it; but a moment hence, it will be too late. Leave your elephant, mount a horse, and fly with us towards Bengal. There you have your family, you have friends and succourers;

4.5.3

and at any rate, Daud-khan-peni, who commands throughout all the Decan, is your servant. Let us retire to Bengal, which is a place of safety; and there, after having dried your feathers, and trimmed your wings, you may take your party, and come again, and act as occasion shall direct." "All that is very fine," replied the Prince; "but what has Dara-Shecoh done after his defeat? And did all that avail to Shudjah? If I am yet destined to reign, the scriptural sentence — Many a time did a small number prevail over a multitude — shall be verified in my person; nor is victory and success so far distant from us yet." To all this Amin-ed-döula rejoined, that he had no more than twenty troopers with him, and that everyone else was gone away. "Very well," said the Prince, coolly, "let me have one-half of these twenty, that I may with them rush on that Muez-zeddin; and with the other ten, do you rush on that wretched of Qhodjistah-aqhtar." The general was near losing his wits on hearing these words, and the Prince was yet speaking, when Qhoadja-hassen (since Qhandoüran) was heard to cry from behind : "General, I am going to Bengal. Believe me, let "us go together." "Never," answered the General; "and so "long as there is breath in Azim-ush-shan, I will not part with "him." He had hardly said this, when a large cannon-ball having struck the elephant full on the root of the proboscis, made him run mad.

4.5.4

The animal turned about and made to the water side, with the fury of a whirlwind, and the rapidity of lightning. His conductor lost his seat, and fell on the ground. Djelil-khan-loody, who sat behind, laid hold of the ropes, came to the ground, and fled for his life. Several people attempted to intercept the elephant, and Amin-ed-doulah was of the number; but there was no overtaking him. In a moment, he saw the animal jump down a cliffy part of the bank, and plunge into an eddy — he plunged and disappeared. Coming close, he perceived an extraordinary motion in the waters, with a great deal of mud flying up; he heard the roaring of the waves, but saw no elephant; and he concluded that both the animal and Prince had sunk, never to come up again. Immediately he took to flight, but was soon overtaken and seized; and he was sent close prisoner to the Citadel of Shah-djehan-abad, where he remained until he was set at liberty by an express order which Feroh-syur, after his victory over Muezzedein, addressed to the Governor Yar-khan for that purpose; and in the sequel he rose to the highest dignities of the state.

4.5.5

This important victory, which had cost so little that it seemed a gratuitous present from heaven, raised the ideas of Muezzeddin, a Prince who wanted neither courage nor merit; and he conceived now the design of setting aside the partition treaty, and of assuming to himself the crown of all Hindostan. With that view, he displayed the standard of contention and superiority, and in such a manner that the union of the three brothers ended in disunion and bloodshed. It is certain that these dissensions arose about the division of the Imperial treasures. This consisted in eighty cart-loads of the Eshreffies, and in a hundred more laden with rupees. Qhodjistah-aqhtar wanted to divide all this money in three equal parts; but Zulficar-khan made use of so much chicanery, and he brought so many pretences forwards, that three-fifths of that immense sum became Muezzeddin's share, and the two other two-fifths only fell to the share of the two other brothers. Such a proceeding could not but exasperate them; and Qhodjistah-aqhtar resolved to assume the crown, and took the title of Djehan-shah: so that the two parties were ripe for coming to blows. This Prince, having been joined at the same time by several commanders of great distinction, such as Mahmed-khan, and Rostem-dil-khan, men who breathed nothing but slaughter and blood, the two armies looked at each other with a jealous eye; and although they did not come to a battle, they passed whole days and even whole nights under arms.

4.5.6

For as soon as the King of Astres had retired behind the western tracts of the world, the two armies would light an infinity of tapers and other fires, and seemed to wait but for an opportunity of coming to blows. Djehan-shah, who had a very considerable party, soon found himself at the head of a great army and a numerous artillery; nor was Muezzeddin behind him in those two respects; and he now took the title of Djehandar-shah, or, Possessor of the Whole, or of the World. The two armies partook of the enmity of the two brothers; and for three days together, nothing was thought of but skirmishing by day, and watching under arms by night. On the fourth day the fortune of Djehan-shah's having declined from its meridian, he said to his generals that he wanted to examine his encampment from without, and that meanwhile they should be careful to keep their troops mounted and ready, as he intended a review. At the same time he recommended to his spies to be upon the watch, and to give him immediate notice, the moment they should perceive that the enemy's cavalry had alighted, and were preparing to dress grain for their horses. That moment being come, Djehan-shah, who had his troops mounted and ready, rushed towards the enemy's camp, where after a slight combat, the confusion became general. The enemy's troops confounded by such an unexpected attack, made but a faint resistance, lost ground, and at last dispersed.

4.5.7

The flight and dismay became at once so universal, that a famous courtesan, called Lal-coar, who was the favourite mistress of Djehandar-shah's and followed him everywhere, mounted upon a veiled elephant, was obliged to fly with the crowd, and that too on foot without a veil. She fell in the hands of Rostem-dil-khan; and that officer was actually busy in loosening the string of pearl that hung at the cordon of her drawers, when she was rescued from his hands.

4.6.1

In a confusion so sudden, Djehandar-shah himself having missed his accustomed elephant, got upon the first that came to hand and had no canopy, wrapped himself up with a large sheet, and bid the driver carry him across the enemy's troops, and under colour of his carrying a woman, to find his way to Zulficar-khan. The man did as he was bid; and no opposition being made to a woman's voiture, Djehandar-shah got safe to his general, just as cries of victory were filling the air in the enemy's troops. Zulficar-khan amazed to see Djehandar-shah in such a condition, became anxious about the fate of the day; he called aloud to a body of choice musqueteers attached this long while to his person, and throwing gold by handfuls amongst them, he told them that the day was come to render him an important service; that it was the only one he asked of them; and that one once performed, they would see what his gratitude was capable of, and what their good fortune had prepared for them. "You see," added he, "that Djehan-shah is now surrounded by multitude of officers and soldiers, who are presenting him their Nazurs in compliment to his victory. Let "some hundreds of you mix with that crowd under the same pretence, and then let them fire at once all altogether upon him. This is easy, and all that I want of you." As soon as he had done speaking, three or four hundreds of them, with their officers at their head, mixed with the crowd;

4.6.2

and whilst Djehan-shah was talking to the people about him, and receiving Nazurs, and looking at the troops who pillaged Muezzeddin's camp, they fired altogether at him, laid him sprawling in his blood, and gave an unexpected victory to their master. This prince, so unexpectedly victorious, no sooner saw the enemy retreat, than he retired with his mistress to his quarters, where he spent the night in drinking wine, and in looking at his dancing-women, whilst the troops fatigued by such a journey, were taking some repose on the field of battle, every one where he found himself. The next morning at day-break the Prince Refi-al-cadr sent the principal eunuch of his seraglio to compliment him on his victory; but the victor who had passed the whole night in drinking delicious liquors, was now fast asleep, and there was no awakening him; but his eunuchs hearing of the message, which the Prince's man was bringing, fell a laughing, and told him "that he was a great fool indeed to bring such a message; the more so as his master having but just seen what had been Azim-ush-shan's and Djehan-shah's fate, had no occasion for any further warning." This answer having convinced the messenger of his master's mistake, he made haste to return, and to give notice of what had happened. This intelligence afforded at once an immense deal of information to Refi-al-cadr;

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