Tarikh-i Iradat Khan 11: Jahandar Shah.
Táríkh, of Irádat Khán (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) 11
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- English
Jahandar Shah.
11.1
When Jahandar Shah, by the intrigues and support of the Amiru-l umara Zu-l fikar Khan, had triumphed over his three brothers, and ascended the throne of empire, without the fear or dread of a competitor, all the customs of time were changed. He was himself a weak man, effeminately careful of his person, fond of ease, indolent, and totally ignorant of the arts of government. He had also blemishes and vices unworthy of royalty, and unknown among his illustrious ancestors. He made the vast empire of Hindustan an offering to the foolish whims of a courtezan. The relations, friends and minions of the mistress usurped absolute authority in the State; and high offices, great titles and unreasonable grants from the Imperial domains were showered profusely on beggarly musicians. Two krors of rupees annually were settled for only the household expenses of the mistress, exclusive of her clothes and jewels. * *
11.2
The Amiru-l umara Zu-l fikar Khan, seater, nay even creator of emperors, with such a puppet of humanity in his hands, became absolute and filled with pride. He studied to ruin the most ancient families, inventing pretences to put great men to death, or disgrace them that he might plunder their possessions. Unhappy was the person he suspected to be rich, as wealth and vexatious accusations always accompanied each other. He established such exactions and abuses as no prior age had beheld, and by which now he is alone remembered. He took enormous emoluments and revenues for himself, while he disposed of money to others with a hand so sparing that even his own creatures felt severe poverty with empty titles, for he never allowed jagirs to any. The minds of high and low, rich and poor, near and distant, friends and strangers, were turned against him and wished his destruction. Hindus and Musulmans agreed in praying to Heaven for the fall of his power, night and day. Often does the midnight sigh of the widow ruin the riches of a hundred years.
11.3
Kokaltash Khan, foster-brother of Jahandar Shah, and brought up with him from his childhood, was honoured with the title of Khan-Jahan. His wife, daughter, and whole family also possessed great influence with Jahandar, and claimed from him the performance of a promise he had made of the office of wazir. At the same time they and their adherents combined to work the overthrow of Zu-l fikar Khan Amiru-l umara. With this view all their relations and dependents were raised to a high rank, and a great number of the nobility, distressed by the pride and rapacity of Zii-l fikár Khán, joined their party. They insinuated to the Emperor that the Amíru-l umará entertained designs too ambitious for a subject, to attain which he would dare to shed the blood of princes; that he had already determined on a revolution, and either to seize the throne for himself, or if he found that too dangerous, to bestow it on one of the confined princes more favourable to his will than His Majesty.
11.4
The weak Jahándár, unendowed with the least judgment or courage, was alarmed almost to madness with the frightful picture of his own situation; but he had not firmness to oppose the dreaded evils, nor sense to keep his fears secret. The intrigues of Kokaltásh Khán soon became evident to the whole Court, and only served to stimulate the vigilance of Zú-l fikár Khán, who took measures for his own safety by removing his enemies. Rustam-dil Khán, Mukhlis Khán, and some others were put to death, and a great number of the nobility cast into confinement on various pretences. The family of the late Khán-khánán (Mun'im Khán) was reduced so low as to want the common necessaries of life. In short, the disposition of the Amíru-l umará changed altogether from gentleness to the highest pitch of tyranny, so that he now punished with cruelty the persons who had years before, knowingly or otherwise, given him the slightest causes of offence. I, who had differed with him in opinions during the life of the late Bedár Bakht, and frequently warned the late Emperor against his aspiring views, had also been the friend and confidant of his late mortal enemy, the Khán-khánán, and of a different party in the late struggle, had not a hope of escaping from his hands, or those of Jahándár Sháh, who had commanded me to be searched for and put to death.
11.5
Thinking it vain to attempt concealment in Lahore, I wrote the following verses: "I am of the family of 'Alí, * * * of the family of which thou art head: look not on me, but upon our mutual ancestors," and sent them to him by my grandson, who was much in his favour. He invited me to see him, * * * and upon his solemn oath that he meant no injury to me, I went without dread. He received me in his private apartment, to which I was admitted armed as usual, and treated me in everyway with much kindness, more than I had expected; after which he dismissed me with assurances of protection. He the same day asked the Emperor's pardon for me, which was immediately passed; but His Majesty observed, that though he forgave, he would not on any account employ me in his service. The Amiru-l umara, too, made me promise that I would not accept any office in the State otherwise than through his patronage. I complied with this desire without regret, as, independent of the obligations I owed to him, there was no temptation left to court employment in a state which had in fact no head; for the ministry was a collection of petty tyrants and abusers of power. In the height of his power and authority, all at once a report was heard that the Prince Farrukh Siyar, son to the martyred 'Azimu-sh Shan, had marched from Bengal towards Bihar, intending to revenge his father's death and seize the throne. * * * Great numbers of the Imperial servants wished secretly for the success of this rebellion.
11.6
Zu-l fikar Khan advised Jahandar not to remain more than a week in Dehli, but to proceed to Agra, and if necessary to the eastern provinces, as the dread of his power would not be impressed fully in the breasts of his subjects while Farrukh Siyar refused to pay allegiance. Jahandar Shah, on his arrival at Dehli, fascinated by the various luxuries it afforded, forgot the advice of his minister, and chose to remain, indulging himself in low pleasures, moving only from palace to palace, and garden to garden. Kokaltash Khan and his party persuaded him that the Amiru-l umara had excited this rebellion, and had engaged privately with Farrukh Siyar, to whom he would deliver His Majesty a prisoner, should he prevail upon him to march from the capital. These ideas served to increase the fears of the weak Jahandar Shah. He would often exclaim, "I did not kill 'Azimu-sh Shan; it was the Amiru-l umara, who must now go and answer the claims of his son for satisfaction." The other plans of an Emperor who was thus overcome by fear may easily be guessed, and need no explanation. The Amiru-l umara, offended at the distrust of his master, did not attend as he ought to business, but employed his time also in pleasure, and forwarding his own immediate interest.
11.7
Saiyid 'Abdu-llah Khan Barha and his brother Husain 'Ali Khan had gained great honour by their behaviour in the service of A'zam Shah, after whose death they attached themselves to 'Azimu-sh Shan, by whom they were honoured, the former with the government of Allahabad, and the latter with that of the province of Bihar. * * 'Abdu-llah Khan pretended gratitude and obedience for the royal favours in order to avoid further trouble from the Court, but which he had resolved to serve no longer than he found necessary. When Farrukh Siyar arrived in Bihar, he was immediately joined by Saiyid Husain 'Ali Khan, who was faithfully attached to him as the son of his patron, 'Azimu-sh Shan.
11.8
On the night of the 13th Zi-l ka'da, intelligence was received that the Saiyids had by a countermarch of twenty miles, gained the ford of Gao-ghat, and crossed the river with their advanced corps and all their artillery; also that Farrukh Siyar with his whole army intended to follow next day. * * A little after mid-day the battle began. * * Our troops fell back upon the camp, and great confusion took place. * * Numbers fled, but the Amiru-l umara stood firm, and the enemy was kept long at a stand by his gallantry and steadiness; but he was ill supported, though Saiyid Husain 'Ali Khan fell wounded in the field, and Chhabila Ram was not more successful in his charge on Kokaltash Khan. It was now about five o'clock, when affairs were thus doubtful; but just then Saiyid 'Abdu-llah Khan charged Jahandar Shah, who stood with his troops already alarmed, some distance in the rear of the Amiru-l umara. They scarce waited to be attacked, but broke their line, and fled in confusion on all sides. * * Thus, in the space of a few hours, one government was destroyed and another became possessed of absolute authority. The robe of empire graced the august person of Farrukh Siyar, who sounded the joyful march of triumph.
11.9
Though I was not in the service of any one, I remained in the field till the Amiru-l umará had retired, when, thinking it best to provide for my own safety, I entered the city with about a hundred persons who sought my protection. * * In the morning I wrote to Saiyid 'Abdu-llah Khán, with whom I was formerly on terms of friendship, expressing my desire of leave to visit him, and to be introduced to the new Emperor. He replied to my letter with kindness, * * and next morning, when Farrukh Siyar entered the city, I was allowed to pay him my respects.