[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) › 4.2 # Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 4.2 A Translation of the Seir Mutaqherin (Haji Mustafa) 4.2 - **Language:** English ### [4.2.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.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](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.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](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.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](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.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](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.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](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.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](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.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](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.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. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.4.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.4.2) · Pramāṇa