[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) › 6 # Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 6: CONTENTS: A Translation of the Seir Mutaqherin (Haji Mustafa) 6 - **Language:** English ## Contents - [6.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.1) — 7 parts - [6.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.2) — 7 parts - [6.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.3) — 10 parts - [6.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.4) — 8 parts - [6.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.5) — 8 parts - [6.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.6) — 7 parts - [6.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.7) — 7 parts - [6.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.8) — 7 parts - [6.9](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.9) — 7 parts - [6.10](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.10) — 8 parts - [6.11](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.11) — 9 parts - [6.12](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.12) — 9 parts - [6.13](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.13) — 7 parts - [6.14](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.14) — 7 parts - [6.15](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.15) — 8 parts - [6.16](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.16) — 8 parts - [6.17](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.17) — 8 parts - [6.18](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.18) — 7 parts - [6.19](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.19) — 11 parts - [6.20](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.20) — 9 parts - [6.21](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.21) — 8 parts - [6.22](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.22) — 7 parts ### CONTENTS: ### [6.1.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.1.1) Feroh-syur takes umbrage at the enormous power of the two Seids, who had placed him on the throne — High disputes between the Minister of the Finances and the Vezir — Breach between the Emperor and the two brothers — Depredations and successes of the Marhatta Cando-Behary — The Viceroy (one of the two brothers) undertakes to put an end to them — Secret orders sent from Court against him — The Marhattas avail themselves of these dissensions to establish a double-headed tribute all over the Decan — The younger brother (Viceroy of Decan) disregards every order from Court — Rise of Murad, since styled Yticad-qhan, the favourite and minion of the Emperor's — The latter strongly addicted to unnatural practices — Resolute proposal of three eminent Commanders against the excessive power of the two brothers — Strange answer of the Emperor's — His timidity, irresolution, fickleness — The Viceroy repairs to Court at the head of an army — sets up a pageant of an Emperor — Intimidates Feroh-syur — Affecting story — the Vezir arms — His brother enters the capital like a conqueror — The Vezir takes possession of both the citadel and the palace — The Emperor dethroned — A body of Marhatta horse destroyed within the city by the mob — Several skirmishes in the streets between the Imperialists and the Minister's adherents — Prince Refi-ed-derdjât proclaimed Emperor — terrible message of the Viceroy's to his brother the Vezir — Feroh-syur dragged out of the Imperial Seraglio with enormous indignities, and confined — Manner of his death related in two different ways, by eminent contemporary authors, present — The two brothers take possession of every thing in the palace — The young prince dies — Is succeeded by his younger brother, Refi-ed-döula — And then by Nicu-syur — Roshenaqhter, since Mahmed-shah, is proclaimed by the two brothers — Furious commotions in Cashmir — Nizam-ul-mulk revolts against the two brothers, and by dint of Generalship, gains three great battles against their relations and partisans—Noble action of a Governor of Doolet-abad—A conspiracy is formed at Court against the brothers—The younger brother is assassinated—The elder is defeated in a battle which lasted thirty hours, and is taken prisoner—Mahmed-shah enters in possession of the throne. ### [6.1.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.1.2) Nothing could be wiser than the dying nobleman's advice; but it made but a momentary impression, and the Emperor continued as thoughtless as ever. Eternally obseded by courtiers equally imprudent and ambitious, he used to bestow, on their recommendations, all the subordinate offices and employments of Decan; and so soon as any one was requested, so soon was the patent of it drawn up and bestowed, to the great discontent of Hossein-aaly-qhan, the actual Viceroy, who looked upon all those promotions, as derogatory to his authority, and as even dangerous to his safety. His constant practice was to set aside the promoted with fair words, and sometimes with raillery, and to advance his own creatures to all posts of trust—a conduct that could not fail to occasion endless heart-burnings at Court. Nor was Abdollah-qhan, the other brother, more scrupulous. His Divan, Ratan-chund, proud of his master's unbounded influence, meddled at pleasure with the Imperial registers, without minding the Mutusuddies or Crown-officers and servants, whose province it was to keep those books. Even the Divan of the Qhalissah-office, who is, properly speaking, the Minister of the Finances, or at least the Accomptant-General, was become a mere cypher, or a body without a soul; and every matter of revenue and administration passed through the hands of that Gentoo, who in a few hours time would transact business to the amount of several corors. He leased out all the Crown-lands. ### [6.1.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.1.3) A conduct, so overbearing and so decisive, could not but embarrass both Ettesam-qhan, who had been put at the head of the Qhalissah-office, on Qhandoran's recommendation, and the Rairaian, or chief counsellor, who had the Divanship or inspection general of all the musters; the more so, as these two officers were differently affected—the former inclining to the Emperor's side, and the latter to the Vezir's—an ambiguous conduct which exposed them to the displeasure of both sides, and which at last rendered it expedient for them to give both their resignations of one common accord. So that those two offices were vacant, when Ynaiet-ollah-qhan made his appearance at Court on a sudden. This nobleman who had fallen in disgrace in the first year of the Emperor's reign, had made the pilgrimage of Mecca, from whence he was now returned. As that nobleman had acquired a great character for acuteness and fidelity in the several offices of administration and finance, which he had held under Aoreng-zib's and under Bahadyr-shah's reign, and he passed for an able Minister and an excellent Accomptant, the Emperor could not but be pleased with the arrival of a man of whose talents he wanted to avail himself for the purposes of remedying those disorders occasioned by Emir-djemlah's incapacity; for he was now conscious to himself, how improvident he had been in demolishing the ancient nobility. ### [6.1.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.1.4) He, therefore, cast his eyes upon him as the fittest person he could substitute to Ettesam-qhan in the two offices, which the latter had thrown up, tired of two employments, that exposed him perpetually to insurmountable difficulties, and rendered it impossible to manage two such opposite parties as those of the Emperor and the Vezir's. The Emperor having received his resignation for those two offices, and given him the Government of Cashmir in exchange, immediately appointed Ynaiet-ollah-qhan. This nobleman shewed much backwardness in assuming two offices, which he conceived he never could discharge to his own or to his master's satisfaction, so long as Abdollah-qhan or his Minister should continue to carry every thing with a high hand; nor was this last Minister himself pleased to see appointed a man, whose severity he had more than once experienced in Aoreng-zib's reign. Luckily that this disagreement was put an end to by Yqhlas-qhan, a Gentoo convert of Bahadyr-shah's reign, a wise, learned, ingenious man, who although professionally attached to the two Seids, was too much displeased with the complexion of the times, to accept himself any office. He lived a retired life solely occupied by the Emperor's order in writing the history of his time, under the title of Feroh-syur-nameh, or History of Feroh-syur. ### [6.1.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.1.5) This nobleman having connections with either parties, and enjoying the esteem of both, proposed the following expedient:— That Yna'iet-ollah-qhan should be appointed, under condition that he would never propose any thing to the Emperor without having first consulted Abdollah-qhan. There were two more stipulations. The first, that Ratan-chund should not interfere in Ynaiet-ollah-qhan's province; the second, that Abdollah-qhan himself should be more assiduous in the discharge of his office of Vezir, as the only means to put an end to the clamours of an infinity of men, whose business was at stand, for want of his seal or of his signature. It was agreed that Abdollah-qhan should repair twice a week at least to the castle, where he should sit in state under the Vezirial canopy, ready to hear petitions, and to determine differences. And with this agreement, the Vezir complied for some time; but he was so averse to the Emperor's presence, and on the other hand, he was so addicted to women, and, indeed, to every species of pleasure, that he soon relapsed into his former sloth and neglect, having no time to spare for public business. Whilst this Minister's effeminate conduct left every thing to take its own course, Ynaiet-ollah-qhan was increasing the confusion by an exactness and a severity, of which his discernment ought to have pointed out the inexpediency and danger at present. ### [6.1.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.1.6) Without sufficiently attending to the actual complexion of the times, or to Ratan-chund's boundless influence, he proposed to the Emperor to enforce certain laws relative to the capitation levied on Gentoos; and the Emperor approved of the proposal. On the other hand, as the Court and palace were full of eunuchs, Gentoos, and Cashmirians, who had availed themselves of the inattention of the Vezir's administration to get at exorbitant salaries, to engross the best Djaghirs, and to disappoint or to render very precarious the pretensions of those who aspired to such emoluments on better titles, the Minister of the Finance proposed that part of those exorbitant grants and salaries should be suppressed, and part reduced within proper bounds, or that they should be granted on such terms as were pointed out by the Imperial registers. These two proposals having proved highly disagreeable to Ratan-chund, and to all the pillagers and defaulters, they complained to Abdollah-qhan, to whom likewise they proved unwelcome; and all the guilty joining together in a general combination against the proposer, gave rise to a coolness, which brought on a neglect of the several articles agreed to between the Vezir and the Minister of Finances. Daily bickerings gave rise to daily disgusts, and a breach ensued openly on the following occasion:— ### [6.1.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.1.7) A Gentoo who managed some Crown-lands, was found indebted to the treasury in a large balance, for which he was put under confinement, notwithstanding the repeated applications which Ratan-chund had the front to make on so glaring an occasion; so that the man who was conscious of his guilt, corrupted his guards, and made his escape to Ratan-chund's house, where he was protected. Ynaiet-ollah-qhan having represented the matter to the Emperor, he engaged him to send a detachment of the palace-slaves to fetch the delinquent; but Ratan-chund's people having put themselves upon their defence, matters, from high words and an altercation, were proceeding to an affray, when the Emperor shocked at so much daringness, commanded the Vezir to dismiss his Divan, which the other promised without having ever thought of complying really with the order. But the main subject of dissension, which brought all heart-burnings to a head, and proved that the Emperor had lost all power, was Churamon the Djatt's affair. ### [6.2.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.2.1) This was a powerful Zemindar or Gentoo Prince in the neighbourhood of Ecber-abad, who was of a family which at all times had proved so troublesome, that several Emperors had not disdained to march against his ancestors in person, and to bring them under control. He had himself, been once chastised for his refractory, turbulent disposition, ever ripe for commotions. This man becoming troublesome again, the Emperor, at the beginning of Shevval in the year 1129, appointed the Radja Djehi-sing-sevai, surnamed Radja Dehiradj, to bring him to order. The Emperor on appointing him to command that expedition, raised his military grade, and presented him with an elephant, a suite of jewels, and some lacs of rupees. After his departure, he dispatched to his assistance a large body of troops under the command of Seid-qhan-djehan, brother to Abdollah-qhan. By this time the Gentoo Prince was arrived before the Djatt's fortress, where he had pushed his trenches close to the place, after a great loss of time and blood. It was at this conjuncture that the new General arrived. The latter being young and fiery, disapproved of the slowness of these approaches, and gave several assaults, which proved so unsuccessful, that the camp was full of wounded men. But yet the place being already invested this whole year, and suffering distress from the want of every thing, could resist no longer. ### [6.2.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.2.2) So that Churamon wrote to his Vekil or Agent at Court, to apply to the Vezir Abdollah-qhan, offering to submit, to send a Peishcush or present in money, and to attend at Court, should the Emperor be pleased to forgive the errors of his past conduct; but all that only under the express condition, that the negotiation would not be communicated to Radja Djehi-sing, nor that Prince, his enemy, admitted to any share in the treaty. All that was no sooner agreed to by the Vezir, than the Gentoo received advice of it, and was shocked at his exclusion. He quitted the army, repaired to Court, and infused his resentment in the mind of the Emperor, who found himself compromised in this affair and humbled. As an addition to all this, Churamon himself arrived a few days after at the capital, and took up his quarters close to the Vezir's palace. After all those provocations, he had the assurance to present himself to the Emperor, who detesting his person, would see him no more; and he seemed greatly affected by the turn which this affair has taken, at a time especially when nothing but disagreeable news were daily arriving from Decan, where troubles had arisen that involved the Emperor and the Empire in their consequences. We have left Hossein-aaly-khan at the head of an army become victorious against all appearances to the contrary. ### [6.2.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.2.3) After so important a victory, he returned to Aorengabad, his capital, where he spent his time in introducing order and subordination everywhere, when he heard from the province of Qhandess, that Cando-behary, one of the principal Marhatta Generals in the Radja Saho's service, was committing enormous excesses in that province where he enjoyed an extensive command. It is observable that, although that country was within the Viceroyalty of Decan, and of course of Hossein-aaly-khan's jurisdiction, yet it had, as well as the other provinces of that extensive country, a Marhatta Commander, upon a par with the Imperial Governor himself, and whose business was to manage, on his master's part, the cho&t or quarter, that is, that part of the gross revenue allotted him by treaties. This strange custom had found its way all over the Decan, ten or twelve years after the demise of the Emperor Aoreng-zib, at a time of troubles and civil wars, and when the Princes of the Imperial blood, fully occupied by their own intestine broils, had no thoughts to spare on those distant parts. This Marhatta General, having lined the road from Borhanpor up to Surat, the principal port of India, with a number of mud-forts which he had garrisoned, made nothing of stopping merchants and whole caravans, and exacting one-quarter of their goods; to which exaction if they submitted, all was well; else, he used to get the goods plundered by the way, and the merchants ransomed at so much a head. ### [6.2.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.2.4) Such arbitrary practices having raised a general clamour against him, the Viceroy dispatched his own Paymaster, Zulficar-beg, at the head of a detachment of eight thousand men, cavalry and infantry, to put order to those rapines. Zulficar-beg having got with some difficulty over the difficult passes that are beyond Aorengabad, was marching in that tract of hilly ground which borders on the Ghandess as well as on the territory of Surat, when he discovered Candu-behari at the head of eight or nine thousand veterans, all cavalry, and all effective men, but which had been swelled by fame as far as fifteen or sixteen thousands. It was at about seventy cosses westward of Aorengabad, on the confines of the Buglana. Zulficar-beg immediately prepared to attack, but the Marhatta, who was accustomed to fight only on his own terms, declined the combat; and he went on retreating until he had drawn his enemy into a difficult country full of underwood and uneven ground. In vain Zulficar-beg's harcaras and scouts informed their master that this was not a proper spot for engaging such a set of expert free-booters as the Marhattas. He made no account of the advice; but proud of his own prowess, and full as thoughtless as a number of Seids of Barr that followed him, he fell upon them directly, and killed a number of those uncircumcised, whom he sent to the bottom of hell. ### [6.2.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.2.5) The Marhattas faithful to their own custom, gave way on all sides immediately, their General seeming to fly likewise with no more than five hundred men, although this manoeuvre was calculated to draw the Mussulmen farther and farther into that dangerous country, which obliged them at each turn to split into several distinct bodies, parted from each other by ravines and brush-wood. This was precisely what Candu-behary had intended. As soon as he saw his enemies entangled within such a net, he secured the few passes by which they might join again, and having fallen at once upon them on all sides, he slew their General at the first onset, and killed or wounded every one that fell in his way. The massacre lasted for some time, when those that survived it, having exchanged their late haughtiness for present humility, obtained that their lives should be spared, on condition of parting with their horses, arms, and clothes, and of remaining prisoners. ### [6.2.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.2.6) So disgraceful a defeat having shocked the Viceroy, he appointed Radjah Mohcum-sing, his first Minister, with a good army of veteran troops, to avenge the honour of his arms; and not satisfied with that, he got him followed by another body of troops, of which he gave the command to his own younger brother, Seïf-eddin-aaly-qhan, whom he appointed to the Government of Bôrhanpûr. The two Generals, who had orders to act in concert, were resolved to put an end to the Marhattas; but Candû-behary, who had no inclination to fight on such disadvantageous terms, retreated southward with all his people, whom he placed in several strongholds of the Sahû Radjah's dominions. As to his mud-forts, as soon as one of them was besieged by a detachment, it was directly evacuated; but no sooner had the troops marched farther, than the garrison returned. And although Mohcum-sing defeated and dispersed another body of freebooters that advanced from Ahmed-nagor in quest of booty and plunder, and he pursued them incessantly to the very gates of Satara, nevertheless, Zulficar-beg's defeat and death remained unrevenged. ### [6.2.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.2.7) Such a disgrace could not but affect the Viceroy's credit, as well as the honour of his Government — the more so as the people of those parts, at all times unruly, were now become sensible of the intestine dissensions between their Viceroy and the Emperor, and had grown refractory and rebellious; a disposition which was not a little encouraged by letters from Court, where not only the Radja Sahû, but also all the Crown-servants and subordinate Governors of Decan were directed to deny Hossein-aaly-khan's authority, and, moreover, to do every thing in their power, to ruin and destroy him and his army. Such secret orders could not but excite troubles and resistance. And although at this very time, Mubariz-qhan, a nobleman famous in those parts, and Governor of the kingdom of Haïderabad, submitted to the Viceroy, who received him with great honours, and confirmed him in his post, yet neither that kingdom, nor that of Bidjapûr, nor that of Carnatek, could be brought under complete order and control; and the Viceroy sensible from whence the wind blew, and convinced that all these manoeuvres were calculated to undermine him silently, refused, on his side, to admit those Divans, or Superintendents of Finances, that were sent him daily from Court, and he either tired them with endless delays, or cut them short with a flat denial. ### [6.3.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.3.1) Such a subterraneous warfare between the Viceroy and the Court, could not but undermine the foundations of that little tranquillity and order, which the warlike and victorious Aorengzib had been at so much pains to establish in countries, where he had spent so great a part of his life, and dispersed all the treasures amassed by that second Lord of the Conjunction, the Emperor Shah-djehan, his father. With infinite labour and personal toil he had, in a campaign which lasted full five-and-twenty years, wrested thirty or forty strongholds from the hands of the Marhattas, driven that restless nation from its own home, and reduced it to take shelter in skulking holes and in fastnesses. ### [6.3.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.3.2) But some years after his death, intestine wars and troubles having distracted the attention of the pretenders to his Empire, and Bahadyr-shah, who at last mounted the throne, having chosen for his residence the city of Lahor, a place remote from the centre of the Empire, and still farther from those troublesome frontiers now become the scene of so much action, the Marhattas availed themselves of this oversight as well as of the general inattention, to rush out of their fastnesses, and to spread themselves over all the neighbouring provinces, where step after step, they not only recovered several of their strongholds, with most of the conquests made upon them, but committed such ravages in the Imperial territories, as obliged them to redeem themselves by submitting to pay them a yearly tribute of one full quarter of their revenues, under the appellation of Chöut; whilst those that refused to bend under so infamous a yoke, were consigned every year to all the atrocities of fire and sword. Not but that they met with a vigorous resistance in some particular spots, from whence after a blockade of some length, they retired with shame and loss, but it was in order to return again. Such a state of eternal warfare had tired the Marhattas themselves; ### [6.3.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.3.3) and so early as the latter end of Aoreng-zib's reign, Tara-baï, the relict of Ram-radja, had supplicated that Prince to put an end to the miseries of mankind by granting her a Des-mucky, in lieu of all her pretensions, that is, a tenth of the revenue of the six provinces that composed the Viceroyalty of Decan. This proposal met with a flat refusal, whether out of avarice and parsimony, or from a principle of honour, and a delicacy upon the discredit that would fall on the Mussulman religion should he comply with such a disgraceful proposal. The Prince's ambassadors, however, now joined to those of Sahö-radja, were more favourably received at the court of Bahadyr-shah. But this Prince, who wished for some rest, was disappointed in his wishes, by the dissensions which soon after took place between the Prince's relict and the reigning Prince; and matters remained on that uncertain footing until the times of the famous Daüd-khan-peni, who governed all those countries as Lieutenant of the Vezir Zulficar-khan. This Lieutenant, for whose prowess and bodily strength the Marhattas entertained the highest respect, and who lived in a commerce of amity and brotherhood with them, found means to bring them to this agreement: — "That they would henceforward abstain from any demands on such tracts and territories as were held in appanage by the Princes of the Royal blood; ### [6.3.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.3.4) but that as to any others that should belong to the Grandees of the court, or any others, whether as Djaghirs or under any other title, their Chöut would be levied by Hiramon himself, Lieutenant of Daüd-khan's, without their interfering in it in any manner whatsoever." This agreement which seemed to put an end to all broils and pretensions, gave birth to an infinity of bickerings and troubles, which always ended in some blood. Under the government of Nizam-el-mulk, which lasted no more than one year and some months, the Chöut which had been hitherto levied by mutual agreement, ended in battle and blood. He chastised the Marhattas once, and took from them a vast number of mares, and two or three elephants, which last he sent to the Emperor under the care of Mirza-beg. But this Viceroy, who was a man of vigour, having been succeeded by Hossein-aaly-khan, whose attention was wholly engrossed by his misintelligence with the court, the times proved so unfavourable, that no agreement could take place for two years together, and no effectual opposition could be made to the Marhattas. His attention was perpetually diverted to the machinations of an insidious court, who by perpetually exciting the Sahö-radja to his ruin, and by encouraging the Radjas and Governors of those distant parts in their refractory disposition, effectually marred every measure which he could devise. ### [6.3.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.3.5) Unsupported by his master, whose designs he had every reason to dread, and solicitous to strengthen himself against his personal enemies, he thought it best to turn his attention wholly to that side, by coming to an agreement with the Marhattas on the following conditions: — "That over and above what had been agreed to under "Daöd-qhan-peni's administration, as to their due, they should "be entitled to their Des-mucki or tenth, upon all the revenues "of the six and-a-half of the provinces of Decan; and that the "Marhatta Generals, Djesvent and Chimna-ba, should reside at "Aorengabad, at the head of a good body of veteran troops, near "the Viceroy's person, as deputies from the Sahö-radja, in whose "name they might collect their Chöut from the Diaghir-holders, "as well as their Des-mucki or tenth-handful, from the rayots or "common husbandmen." In consequence of this definitive treaty, an end was put to the disputes, quarrels, pillages and massacres that had this long while so far desolated so great part of Decan as to be reputed customary, and matters of course; and the minds of the inhabitants commenced to enjoy the thoughts of tranquillity. ### [6.3.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.3.6) But henceforward, the task of Collector of the Revenue or of requestor, Governor or renter, became troublesome, complicated, and pregnant with endless heart-burnings, all these men being now obliged to deal with three distinct governments — the Collector of the Imperial Revenue, the Collector of the Chout, and the Collector of the Des-mucki. Hossein-aaly-khan after exchanging the ratifications of this treaty, and admitting the Marhattas in all the cities of his immense government, sent notice of it to the Emperor, with a petition in which he supplicated His Majesty's approval, and his letters of Jussion to command its execution to every one. The Emperor instigated by those nearest his person, disapproved the whole treaty, as highly derogatory to the honour of the Empire, as introductory of whole bands of freebooters within the Imperial territories, and as favouring strongly that spirit of independence with which its author was so much infected. At the same time he appointed Djan-nessar-khan to be the Viceroy's Lieutenant in the province of Qhandess, an ancient nobleman, who bore a high character both for valour and prudence, and who derived a new kind of illustration from his having once exchanged turbants with the old Abdollah-khan alias Mia-khan, father to the two Seids. The Emperor on dismissing him presented him with a sumptuous dress of honour, an elephant, and a serpitch or a piece of jewel-work for the forehead. This was in public. ### [6.3.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.3.7) In a private audience, he charged him with some admonitions for Hossein-aaly-khan, in hopes that as that ancient nobleman was reputed an uncle to that Viceroy, and in fact was held as such by him, and treated therefore with the utmost respect and condescendence, he might by the weight of his authority prevail on his nephew to behave with more submission to the Emperor. This happened in the sixth year of his reign, which answers to the 1130 of the Hedjrah. He at the same time appointed Mahmed-aamin-khan to the Viceroyalty of Malva, on the frontiers of which he was to receive his patent with letters of recall for Radja Djehi-sing-sevay. But the general report was that he had set out upon a very different errand, and that there was at the bottom quite another scheme; and it is this rumour which engaged Djan-nessar-khan to stop on the borders of the Nerbedda, the first boundary of Decan, with hardly any thing more than his usual retinue, being too prudent to risk rendering his person suspicious or odious, by appearing with a body of troops on the frontiers of a province to which he had indeed been appointed, but where it was doubtful whether he would find admittance. On the other hand, Mahmed-aamin-khan, after having advanced to Serondj, the first great town of Malva, stopped short to take some rest; ### [6.3.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.3.8) and instantly a report spread throughout Decan, that he was marching to Aorengabad at the head of fifty thousand horse, and that his vanguard of eight thousand horse, and more, had pushed forwards under Djan-nessar-khan. This piece of intelligence having been circulated in that great city by the novelists with which all capitals swarm, at last impressed the Viceroy himself with apprehensions. All these doubts, however, vanished on letters coming from Djan-nessar-khan himself, where he requested a small number of troops to escort him through certain narrow and difficult passages, where a freebooter of the name of Sinta was robbing and pillaging on his own private account, without any dependence on the Radja-sahu, his master. The escort was sent, and it brought Djan-nessar-khan, who immediately waited on the Viceroy. The latter who knew that the Qhandess was his northern frontier against an invasion from the side of the Court, did not choose to put such a country in the disposal of a man of the Emperor's recommendation; but as, on the other hand, he professed himself a high regard for his person, he made it a point to pay him every kind of honour, and to welcome his arrival with several very rich presents. Three other persons of importance arriving at this very time from court with letters-patent for two great offices in Decan, served only to shew how the Viceroy mistrusted the Emperor's designs, and how little account he made of orders sent from the capital. ### [6.3.9](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.3.9) These were Zya-eddin-khan, who was a Persian-born and a Sheriff of Qhorassan, who on the death of Dianet-khan, nephew to Emanet-khan, had been appointed to the office of Divan, or Controller of the Finances in Decan; the two others were Djelal-eddin-khan, appointed Divan of B8rhanp8r, and Faiz-ollah-khan, designed Paymaster of the forces in those parts. Zya-eddin-khan, who was furnished with a letter of recommendation from the Vezir Abdollah-qhan, was admitted to take possession of that great charge, where he had the prudence always to act in conformity with the Viceroy's pleasure, and to keep him easy and satisfied. Djelal-eddin-khan received for a while the superintendence of the Barar, instead of that of Qhandess, to which the Viceroy had objections; and as to the designed Paymaster of the forces, the Viceroy did not even vouchsafe to return him the salute. These pieces of intelligence having soon found their way to court, raised the Emperor's grief and resentment to a pitch, but without, however, occasioning any change in his manner of living, or engaging him to conceal from the public sight the infamous vices to which he was now found to be strongly addicted. ### [6.3.10](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.3.10) It was on the following occasion:—One Mahmed-morad, a Cashmirian, at all times reprobated for his vicious life, but now universally held in abomination for the unnatural practices to which he seemed so prone, was by a countryman of his presented to Sahabe-nisvan, the Empress-mother, and by her to the Emperor, her son, who gave him a private audience. The man said that he had thought of a variety of expedients to seize Abdollah-khan's person, and to demolish his brother, without it being necessary to recur to open force, or to any violent exertion. This advice was immediately embraced by the Emperor, who being too faint-hearted to betake himself to any vigorous measures, was glad to hear of any expedient to circumvent his enemies; and he increased his affection for this adviser in proportion to the importance of his advice. He changed his name into that of Yticad-khan or the trustworthy Lord; and as he was himself so strongly addicted to unnatural practices, he was overjoyed to find so able a partner, who henceforward became his bosom-friend, and to whom he consigned his mind as he had already consigned his body. ### [6.4.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.4.1) This man insinuating himself deeper and deeper in the Emperor's good graces, soon became the soul of all his motions, as well as the depositary of all his schemes against the Seids; and now titles and dignities and honours commenced raining upon him. His name and titles were lengthened into those of Yticad-qhan-feroh-shahy-roc8n-ed-do8lah, which signifies The prop of the Empire, as well as the trustworthy of the Emperor Feroh-syur. These titles were followed by the military grade of seven thousand horse with the full pay and command of ten thousand; and these were followed by daily presents of an immense value, and by jewels of an exquisite beauty, to which were added the most curious and costly stuffs from the Emperor's wardrobe. All these were bestowed upon him with so unbounded a profusion, that the man himself came to be sick of them, and was at a loss what to do with such a deluge of gifts. Meanwhile politics had become the topics of the whole court, especially as the Emperor was every day holding councils with his new favourite, in one of which it was at last agreed that three persons of great importance should be sent for to court from their different stations — Ser-bSlend-qhan from his government of Azimabad, Nizam-el-mulk from MSradabad, and Radja-adjet-sing from GSdjrat — all men of talents and military character, whom it was intended to gain over by heaping honours upon them, and by promising them the highest offices of the Empire. ### [6.4.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.4.2) But hardly was Nizam-el-mulk arrived, than his Fodjdary of MSradabad together with the rich Djaghir he enjoyed in that province, were both transferred to Yticad-qhan, with these further circumstances, that the name of MSradabad was changed into that of RocSn-abad, or RocSn-ed-doSlah's colony ; and that the whole was bestowed upon him as Altimgha irrevocable. With all this thoughtlessness, the Emperor, who now and then reflected on the impolicy of discontenting powerful men so unworthily used, thought proper to make amends to the Gentoo Prince, at least by the title of Maha-Radja or great Prince, and by pointing out to him all the graces and dignities to which he would be entitled, so soon as he should compass the ruin and destruction of the two Seids. But the Gentoo Prince, who was fully apprised of the Emperor's levity and pusillanimity, declined taking any concern in such an affair ; and sensible of both the innocence and the great power of the two brothers, he went over to their side, and became Abdollah-qhan's bosom-friend. As to Nizam-el-mulk and Ser-bSlend-qhan, who had come from so far under the promises of being promoted to the high offices of Supreme Vezir and of Paymaster-General, they not only were disappointed in that promise, but moreover lost even the posts and emoluments they had hitherto enjoyed. Their surprise and discontent had no bounds ; ### [6.4.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.4.3) but yet as they had set their hearts on those offices, and as they were men of valour and execution, " they supplicated His Majesty to "entrust the casket of the Vezirship to either of his faithful "servants, then present, if he wished to undermine Abdollah-qhan's overgrown power and influence; after which change that nobleman would meet with what chastisement he deserved, if he continued to prove refractory and assuming; and that they took his point upon themselves." To this resolute proposal the Emperor made this curious answer: — I know no man fitter for a Vezir than Yticad-qhan. There were then at Court several great Lords of both Iranian and Turanian extraction, all men of known characters, and all men of execution; but so soon as any of them would open his mouth, and propose to rid the Emperor of the two Seids under the condition of having the Vezirship as his reward, he was immediately saluted by these ridiculous words: I know no man fitter for a Vezir than Yticad-qhan. Such a song repeated at each turn, could not but disgust every one; and every one retired with indignation, no man choosing to expose his life for so childish a master, or to serve under so infamous a Minister. What made all those Lords so forward in offering their endeavours on that trying piece of service, was the favourable opportunity afforded by the approaching feast of the Corban or sacrifice, where the whole city would pour out and advance beyond the suburbs to pray in the open fields; ### [6.4.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.4.4) and it must be observed that the retinues and troops brought by those two Lords and by the Gentoo Princes added to those always attending the Emperor's person, could not amount to less than seventy or eighty thousand effective horse, whilst it was well-known that the Vezir Abdollah-qhan had no more than four or five thousand troopers about his person; nor could it be denied but that on that very day a general report had run all over the city that Abdollah-qhan was going to be arrested or slain. And yet with all these favourable circumstances, and with so favourable an opportunity, nothing was done, and not a man raised his voice. Nay, this very report served only to put Abdollah-qhan more upon his guard; and he that had hitherto admitted no man but those of Barr, whose soldiers being all Seids like himself, he was inclined to trust above all others, now ordered twenty-five thousand horse to be raised forthwith, without any distinction of country or nation. The report was of so pressing a nature, that it had already reached the other brother, Viceroy of Decan. Impressed with well grounded fears for the safety of his brother, and also for that of his family and wealth, which he had left in the capital, he resolved to postpone every other object, and to quit the Decan in order to march to that city where he intended to rid himself of all apprehensions for the future, by crushing at once all the enemies of his family and power. ### [6.4.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.4.5) This design having taken possession of his mind, he remembered of Muezeddin, a neglected young man, now at the Saho-radjah's Court, where he passed for a son of Prince Ecber, youngest son of the Emperor Aoreng-zib. He sent an escort to bring him, and he made him enter the city of Aorengabad in the middle of a pompous retinue; but in such a manner, however, that no one could distinguish the young man's features. This event was now made a paragraph in his dispatches to the Emperor, and instructions were requested thereon. To this he added a private supplication of his own, "where he intimated his being forced to quit his station, and to repair to the city in order to recover a health impaired by the air and water of Decan, as well as broken by the fatigues of so continual and so laborious a campaign." These letters frightened the Emperor. His natural pusillanimity was deeply impressed; and to get rid of his own uneasiness at a time when one of the brothers was coming to the city with a powerful army, whilst the other was enlisting men on all hands, he resolved to make an agreement with so powerful a family. He, therefore, sent the Gentoo Prince, Adjet-sing, to carry an apology to Abdolla-qhan; ### [6.4.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.4.6) and as the messenger was of a sincerity of character welcome to both parties, he soon found means to lessen the distance that divided the Emperor from his Vezir, as he had attached himself to the latter for life, and had obtained many favours on his recommendation, without forfeiting, for all that, the good opinion which the Emperor entertained of him. To put a seal to this reconciliation, which took place at the end of Shev-val, the Emperor set out of the citadel, accompanied by his favourite, Yticad-qhan, and his Minister, Qhandoran; and with a deal of pomp and magnificence, he went in state to pay a visit to Abdollah-qhan, to whom he swore that henceforward he would be his friend in full sincerity, and without any reserve, or any remainder of rancour; and these protestations having produced a scene of excuses for past errors, and of solemn promise of future attachment, the Emperor returned satisfied to his palace. But such was the instability and fickleness of his temper, that he never continued in the same mind for any length of time, but shifted endlessly — now submitting quietly to his fate, and taking dissimulation and acquiescence for his part — and then resolving on coming to extremities with the Seids, and making them feel all the weight of Imperial resentment. ### [6.4.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.4.7) And all this alternately just as his mind chanced to be influenced by the different opinions of his confidants and favourites, who being like himself narrow-minded and pusillanimous, discouraged the men of valour and resolution who were fully able to execute the most difficult orders. The latter, of course, refused to be dictated to by such a vile set of men as had the Emperor's ear, or even to have any concern at all with them ; so that they retired one after another to their lodgings, full of indignation at the enormous credit of those worthless men that approached the Emperor's person. And even the very men whom the Emperor had sent for from afar, in order to strengthen his own cause by their valour and advices, had, by this time, lost the employments they had hitherto enjoyed ; and they lay neglected and unthought of, as was the case with Ser-belend-qhan, and Nizam-el-mulk, who had come over upon his pressing invitations and his express commands, and who had his Imperial promises under his handwriting. Once these two Generals being joined by Mubaruz-el-mulk, and the Radjah Djehi-sing-sivaï, went in a body to the Emperor, and proposed : "That Abdollah-qhan should be dismissed from his office forthwith, as the whole business depended upon dropping the veil, and acting openly, after which, himself, as well as his younger brother, might easily be crushed ; ### [6.4.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.4.8) and, in that case, they undertook either to prevail on the two brothers, by dint of reasoning, to behave henceforward like dutiful subjects, or to fight them as incorrigible rebels, guilty of numberless insolencies and insults." So bold a declaration did not rouse the Emperor. He continued to listen to his favourite, disappointed and disgusted the two Generals, as we have already said, and, as if he had not done enough yet, he took a rich Djaghir from Ser-beland-qhan, and to this affront added the greater one of bestowing it upon Emir-djemlah, that vile dissembler, who had already perpetrated the ruin of Assedqhan's family, and was working hard for demolishing the Empire likewise. ### [6.5.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.5.1) The Emperor, on returning to his palace, sent for Yqlass-qhan, a nobleman whose intimate connections with the two Seids were known, and he gave him the commission of quieting Abdollah-qhan's mind, so as to reclaim him from exciting troubles, and to engage him to prevent his brother from quitting the Decan. For the report ran strong that he was already in full march; and this much is certain that he had already sent his younger brother, Seif-eddin-aaly-qhan, to Bôrhanpôr, at the head of a body of four or five thousand horse, with orders to prepare a camp-equipage and a train of artillery. He had been roused by the troubles that were rising in the capital; and he intended to march, when he received intelligence that the Emperor had gone to visit Abdollah-qhan in order to bury all the past in oblivion, and to swear an eternal friendship to their family. This contrary intelligence could not but perplex his mind, but yet he stayed the preparatives he was making for his departure, and resolved to wait for further advices from the capital; and he was in a suspense of mind, when, to his amazement, he was roused again by a pressing letter from Abdollah-qhan, who requested his assistance without a moment's delay. At the same time the general report was at Aorengabad that his brother, the Vezir, was reduced to extremities at the capital; and that he had not a moment to lose, if he wanted to save him from destruction. ### [6.5.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.5.2) What added greatly to his inquietude, was an answer returned to his supplication by the Emperor, which purported that "It might be better for him to repair to Ahmed-abad, in Gûdjrat, if he only wanted a change of air; else, he might come to the capital, where His Majesty would see him with pleasure." This was accompanied by an order to send to court the pretended son of Prince Ecber. Whilst the Viceroy was preparing every thing for his march, his brother, Abdollah-khan, was enlisting troops with all his might at the capital; in which operation he was greatly seconded by the wretched circumstances in which not only the train of artillery at the capital, as well as all the troops in and about that immense city laboured, but also by the distress which even the body-guards with the whole Imperial household suffered for want of pay and subsistence. Full nine months in arrears were due to them, whether in consequence of Abdollah-qhan's neglect, or perhaps through his own contrivance. They had received nothing in that long while, and their discontents had risen to a height; but they had no one to direct it, or to lead them to action. So that Abdollah-qhan's levies amounted by this time to full twenty thousand horse; and he had besides the art of adding to his strength by a winning deportment. Here is an instance of it.— ### [6.5.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.5.3) Ser-belend-qhan was by this time reduced to an extreme necessity, not only because he had been at all times indigent, and his Djaghir had been taken from him of late, but especially because he had spent his all in supporting the troops he had brought with him, which were now persecuting him for their arrears and pay. Driven to despair by such large demands which he could not satisfy out of his own purse, without depriving himself of every thing, he had now resolved to get rid of the clamours of his troops, and of the persecution of his other creditors, by abandoning to them his elephants, horses, equipage, furniture and jewels, as far as they would go; after which he intended to put on a religious garb and to turn Fakir. Nor was Nizam-el-mulk better circumstanced. That General who had been sent for to court with such pressing invitations and under a solemn promise of the casket of the Vezir, not only had been disappointed, but he had besides lost a rich Djaghir which he possessed; and he had the mortification to see it bestowed on Yticad-qhan, this new favourite, on whom the Emperor seemed so far to doat, that he seemed to have no eyes and no ears but for him. He now lived retired without ever going to court, and was pining away in discontent. The Vezir being informed of all these particulars, engaged the two Generals, by dint of entreaties, to come to his palace; ### [6.5.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.5.4) and when they were arrived, he sent for Ser-belend-qhan's military officers, and his others creditors, and after having adjusted all their demands, he paid them out of his own private treasury, and moreover recommended him to the Government of Cabul, then vacant. Turning then his attention towards Nizam-el-mulk, he made him hope that he would shortly be appointed to the Government of Malva. Two actions that gained him entirely the hearts of those two Lords. It was just at this time that Mahmed-aamin-qhan arrived suddenly at court from Malva, without any leave and without any letters of recall. This designed Governor had advanced as far as Serondj, where receiving no further instructions from court, and hearing also that Hossein-aaly-qhan, Viceroy of Decan, was upon his march for the capital, he quitted his post, and repaired to court, where the Emperor would not see him; and he, moreover, dismissed him from his service. Abdollah-qhan no sooner heard of this, than he sent for him, and by dint of presents and favours gained him to his party; and he was so successful in this kind of warfare, that Qhandöuran himself, who in society with Emir-djemlah had been so instrumental in blowing the coals of dissensions, now went over to the Vezir's side, and was admitted to all his secrets. ### [6.5.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.5.5) So many desertions could not but sour the Emperor's mind, and he was contriving expedients every day to chastise those deserters. One day the Emperor going out with a hunting party, had agreed with his courtiers, that at his return he would call at the Vezir's; and as Maharadja Adjet-sing's lodgings were upon the road, and close to that Minister's palace, it was expected that the Gentoo Prince would stand out to make his bow, and present his Nazur, in which case he might be seized easily, without the Emperor's appearing to be of the plot. Unluckily the Gentoo Prince, who was fearful of what might come to happen, being conscious how much his attachment to the Seids had rendered him obnoxious, or who possibly had received timely intelligence of what was intended, thought proper to repair to the Vezir's palace, where he tarried. This miscarriage could not but affect the Emperor's spirits; and although part of his retinue was already rendered at the Vezir's, and that Minister himself had come out and waited on the strand for the moment of paying his bow, the Emperor kept his eyes fixed on the opposite side, and having ordered his bargemen to steer by the middle of the stream, he soon arrived at the citadel. By this time Hossein-aaly-qhan had quitted Aorengabad, and was on his march towards the capital. ### [6.5.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.5.6) Although his army was numerous, and his camp-followers still more so, he made them observe so exact a discipline, that no man was bold enough to offer the least injury to any one in the many villages enclosed every night within his encampment. One day, a girl, daughter to a poor widow, that could hardly subsist, came out of one of these villages, and impelled by the pangs of hunger, she availed herself of the darkness of the night to stroll about the tents in quest of some food. A man was actually dressing some victuals; and having asked her, whether she chose to follow any one that would take care of her, she consented, and fell asleep close to the man, who overcome by the fatigues of a long march, slept soundly the whole night, without ever thinking of the girl. At day-break he got her mounted upon a camel that carried his things, and sent her with the baggage. Meanwhile, the widow, who had in vain waited late at night for her daughter, could not obtain a moment of sleep; but at day-break, she took her post upon a rising ground, close to which she knew that the Viceroy would pass. ### [6.5.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.siyar-al-mutaakhkhirin~en-mustafa.6.5.7) On descrying his elephant, she screamed out, "That a virgin daughter, the only property left to his afflicted servant, having strayed last night about the camp in quest of some food, had to all appearance been enticed away by some of his people." She added with a flood of tears, "That she hoped that the Viceroy, out of a tender regard for afflicted widows and all injured people, would condescend to stop, until her daughter should be found out, as she could not bear to live without her only child." The Viceroy greatly affected by the woman's tears, stopped short, and after having sworn that he would taste neither food nor drink, until she was righted, he ordered strict search to be made throughout the whole army. On this order the Paymasters produced their rolls, and sending their officers everywhere, they enjoined to each Commander to send a number of trusty men amidst the ranks in order to set up an exact search; and as there are Angels always ready to second the intentions of virtuous men in high offices, this immense multitude, that equalled the crowds at the Day of the Judgment, and which moved like the waves of a sea, proved of no obstruction to the search; for after a slight inquiry, the man and the girl were both found out, and both brought before the General. The latter turning towards the girl, asked her how she came to go astray, and whether her person had been meddled with? _First 39 of 197 passages. 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