[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) › 4.3 # Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 4.3 A Translation of the Seir Mutaqherin (Haji Mustafa) 4.3 - **Language:** English ### [4.3.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.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](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.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](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.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](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.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](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.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](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.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](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.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](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.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. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.4.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.4.3) · Pramāṇa