Later Mughals v1.c8.s9: Sec. 9.—Husain Ali Khan Espouses Farrukh-siyar's Cause.
Later Mughals v1.c8.s9
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Sec. 9.—Husain Ali Khan Espouses Farrukh-siyar's Cause.
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When Farrukh-siyar first arrived at Azimabad, Husain Ali Khan was away on an expedition, apparently the recapture of Ruhtas fort, which about this time had been seized by one Muhammad Raza, Rayat Khan. The Sayyid had felt annoyed on hearing that Farrukh-siyar had issued coin and caused the *khutba* to be read in his father, Azim-ush-shan's, name, without waiting to learn the result of the impending struggle at Lahor. Thus on his return to his head-quarters his first impulse was to decline altogether that Prince's overtures. In truth, no attempt could well look more hopeless than that upon which Farrukh-siyar wished to enter. The Prince's mother now hazarded a private visit to the Sayyid's mother, taking with her her little grand-daughter.* Her arguments rested on the fact that the Sayyid's position was due to the kindness of the Prince's father. That father, two brothers, and two uncles had been killed, and the Prince's own means were insufficient for any enterprize. Let Husain Ali Khan then choose his own course, either let him aid Farrukh-siyar to recover his rights and revenge his father's death, or else let him place the Prince in chains and send him a prisoner to Jahandar Shah. Here the Prince's mother and daughter bared their heads and wept aloud. Overcome by their tears, the Sayyida called her son within the harem. The little girl fell bare-headed at his feet and implored his aid. His mother told him that whatever was the result he would be a gainer : if defeated, his name would stand recorded as a hero till Judgment Day ; if successful, the whole of Hindustan would be at their feet, and above them none but the Emperor. Finally she exclaimed, 'If you adhere to Jahandar Shah, you will have to answer before the Great Judge for disavowing your mother's claim upon you.' At these words Husain Ali Khan took up the women's veils and replaced them on their heads swearing a binding oath that he would espouse the Prince's cause. The next night Farrukh-siyar presented himself at the Khan's house, saying that he had come either to be seized and sent to Jahandar Shah, or to enter into an agreement for the recovery of the throne. The Sayyid bound himself finally to fight on Farrukh-siyar's behalf. He wrote at once to his elder brother, Abdullah Khan, at Allahabad, inviting him to join the same side, and Farrukh-siyar addressed a farman to him making many promises, and authorizing him to expend the Bengal treasure, then at Allahabad, on the enlistment of troops. It is quite clear that at this time, or soon afterwards, the two chief places in the Empire, those of chief minister and of first noble (Amir-ul-umara) were formally promised to the two brothers as their reward in case of success.†
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∗ *Akhbarat* or news-letters, dated 24th Zul Hijja 1119 H. (16th March 1708); Tod MSS. in Royal Asiatic Society's Library, (Morley, cxxxiii), Warid, 91.
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∗ Probably this is the girl who, when she grew up, became Mhd. Shah's consort and at his death in 1161 H. (1748) showed considerable judgment and resolution in securing the throne for her husband's son, Ahmad Shah.
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† Warid, 136b; Khafi Khan, ii. 708, 710, 711. As to Ruhtas, see Kamwar Khan, entry of 22nd Zul Hijja 1123 H. (30th Jan. 1712.)