Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 4.8
A Translation of the Seir Mutaqherin (Haji Mustafa) 4.8
- Language
- English
4.8.1
All this is related in a different manner in a memoir that appeared after Feroh-syur had mounted the throne, and of which we shall make use in the sequel. According, then, to this author, Ahmed-beg, alias Ghazi-eddin-khan the Cossa, or Goat's Beard, a man who cut a great figure in that province, having taken a great part in this whole affair, had prevailed upon the Governor, to pay, at least, one visit to the fugitive prince. The Prince received him in so singular a manner, as had never been practised by any Prince to a subject, or by any Lord to a servant. He was all humility and submission; he stood up for him and made him sit in his presence. After such a preamble, he represented how friendless, hopeless, and distressed was his condition, and how fearful he was lest he should meet at Court with a fate similar to that of his brother, Sultan Kerimm-ed-din. He added, that unless he found some protection and assistance, he had nothing to hope for his safety, or for his life. He had hardly done speaking, when the Ladies of his family, whom he had stationed on purpose behind a veil or curtain, fell a weeping and sobbing, and the Prince's youngest daughter, Maleka-zemani, came out of the veiled-room, and seating herself on the Governor's lap, she repeated to admiration the part she had been taught. In a soothing tone of voice, and a moving cast of features, she entreated him to take pity on a forlorn family, and to grant his assistance and safeguard to her father.
4.8.2
At the same time she paid him some compliments, and added these very words, that have been conserved by the author of the memoir: "It is true you are of the race of God's Messenger, and you descend in " a direct line from his Saint; moreover, you enjoy all the advantages which power and a high character can confer; but yet it cannot be denied, that it is to Azim-ush-shan's favour and countenance that you stand indebted for your present well-being. If, then, you make use of all these powers to come to my father's assistance, and to render him all those services which may be expected from your illustrious birth, and your high character for valor and prowess, you shall have deserved all that my grand-father has done for you; else, if you choose to act otherwise, then, whatever is to be our destiny, shall certainly come to pass; but do you take care of what the world shall say of you." The Princess had hardly done speaking, when both the women that had come out, and those that had still remained behind the curtain, joined their entreaties to her's; and from sobs and tears they proceeded to screams and lamentations. At this very moment, Ferocksyur, who, on the Governor's making his bow, had got him dressed in one of his own suits of clothes, and had made him sit down, now rose from his seat, and advanced to fasten his own sabre on the Governor's side.
4.8.3
The latter overcome by such an unexpected scene, forgot his former repugnance and apprehensions, and descending now to the humble tone of a subject, he said, that "what his humble servant had done hitherto, was nothing more than what became him as a servant, however unworthy it might prove of his Master and Lord's acceptance. I have nothing but my head," added he, "and this I dedicate to your service. And now that I have put on this sabre, I have said farewell to my head and life, having devoted the one and the other, as well as my fortune, to your service. Command me, then, that I may do as I am bid. Now is the time to raise troops, and to prepare everything for pushing on the " war. Ascend the throne at once, and, without allowing the enemy time to look about him himself, let us follow as destiny shall lead. " Let us see what the mover of the events of this world, " Shall have intended to bring forth for us."
4.8.4
Ferock-syur's concerted management having had a full effect, Hossein-aali-khan published, that every one should pay his homage to the Prince, and make a render of his person and fortune. Such a proclamation having produced a great concourse of people of all sorts, afforded to astrologers, fortunetellers, and to men of learning, a full opportunity to approach the Prince; and as the latter, exceedingly credulous and ignorant himself, was perpetually consulting their science about what might be the fate of his expedition, he put it in their power to feed him with favourable predictions, and with hopes suitable to the occasion; in which some were in earnest, and some meant no more than to provide for themselves, as in fact several of them proved to have done, as soon as Ferock-syur had ascended the throne, and had it in his power to bestow pensions and emoluments upon them. Whilst the Prince was listening to predictions, Hossein-aaly-khan was taking every measure that could promote his undertaking; and with that view he wrote to Abdollah-khan, his elder brother, Viceroy of Ilah-abad, both to give him notice of what had happened, and to entreat his concurrence. Abdollah-khan, amazed at the intelligence, answered his brother in a strain that reflected severely on the precipitancy of his conduct, "as well as on the extreme danger it was pregnant with.
4.8.5
He adverted at the same time to the impropriety of a step, which besides all the perils of its high nature, involved in its consequences their consorts, children, families and seraglioes, which being actually at Shah-djehan-abad, could not fail to experience all the resentment of a Prince, little susceptible of scruple, and who saw his throne attempted." To this reprimand, Hossein-aaly-khan answered. "That for his own part, he had taken his party, happen what it would, and could not retrograde; that he would never form any objections to his remaining, as his elder brother, with the older party, that is, that of Muozzeddin." In the sequel, Abdollah-khan himself carried away by his brother's entreaties and examples, altered his resolution, and wrote to his younger brother : "That since what had happened could not be recalled, it became them both to make the best of it. Now that you are embarked in the undertaking," added he, "make haste to join me, as my proximity to the capital renders me the more liable to become an object of resentment to the Imperial army. Let us then join together, and have but one cause." This is what I find in the memoir in question. But there is another account, and this is as follows : —
4.8.6
The Emperor Bahadyr-shah having appointed Yzed-döwlah, a nobleman of high rank, to the Government of Bengal, commanded Feroh-syur's attendance at court, who being apprehensive of a fate similar to that which his two brothers, Sultan Kerim-eddin and Prince Homaiün, had experienced, did not choose to trust himself near the Emperor, and had protracted the time by contriving a variety of delays. Being arrived at Azim-abad, and unwilling to proceed farther, he under pretence of his consort's being near her time, found means to prolong his stay ; and he wrote to Court accordingly. During his sojourn there, some astrologers, fortune-tellers and other shrewd men, who wanted only to provide for themselves, prevailed on Hekim-refyh, his Physician, to instil in his mind notions of ascending the throne, and thereby providing for his own safety. Whilst these people were working on that weak mind, there appeared at once at Azimabad, an officer called Mahmed-reza, but better known under the name of Raiet-khan, who being one of those that had fled from Bahadyr-shah's resentment, was contriving to repair his lost fortune, by producing a forged order for his taking possession of Rhotas, a strong fortress, south of Azimabad ; and really he found means to effect his purpose, so that he was actually busy in laying in a stock of provisions and necessaries, having made his account with keeping possession.
4.8.7
He had even the audacity to write to the Emperor, and to give him advice that his soldier had through the sloth and incapacity of the Governor found means to get such a good post ; and this intelligence was likewise confirmed by the gazetteers of those parts and by the Crown-intelligencers. On this piece of advice, there came an order from the Emperor ; and it was backed by a particular letter of Azim-ush-shan, enjoining Prince Feroh-syur to chastise the impostor. But as it was not an easy matter to get admittance in the fortress, and the Prince was mentioning it to his friends, one of them, called Dilachin-beg, a Calmuc by nation, and a stout man of resolute determined temper, but who had so far displeased the Prince as to be forbidden the Court, found means to send him a secret message by one of the principal Courtiers. "I propose," said he, "that the Prince shall publish that he has received orders to confirm the impostor in his post, and that I shall be the person who is to carry to him the robe of investiture. Let the Prince therefore reinstate me in his Princely favour, and let him try my abilities and his own destiny in this undertaking, which I hope shall recommend me to the Imperial notice. But I may perish in the attempt; and then, if it be after having performed the service expected from me, I hope it will entitle my family and children to a subsistence for their lives."