Later Mughals v2.c13.s15: Sec. 17.—Abdullah Khan Remonstrates.
Later Mughals v2.c13.s15
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Sec. 17.—Abdullah Khan Remonstrates.
v2.c13.s15.1
As soon as he learnt of his brother's death, and before he resumed his march to Dihli, Abdullah Khan addressed a letter of complaint to the Emperor. It was couched in the customary language of respect. After referring to the disturbances in the Dakhin and Lahor, reports of which had already been laid before His Majesty, and the arrangements made by which Husain Ali Khan, his younger brother, undertook the former business and he himself had started to take charge of the capital, Abdullah Khan goes on to say: "Although separation from my younger brother was distasteful to me, still in obedience to the exalted order, we made no objection, and of the two brothers one set out for the capital, the other for the Dakhin, in attendance on Your Majesty. This faithful one was still on his journey and had not yet arrived at Dihli, when finding their chance and seeing my brother alone, men acting unfairly and without justification from the law, have done him, Ghairat Khan, and the son of Nawab Auliya, to death in Your Majesty's very encampment, and all their goods and property have been plundered. O Qibla of the world and its inhabitants! may you be preserved! If so be that all this has been carried out by Your Majesty's order, and these men have done all this harm, and spilt all this blood, by your direction, there is nothing further to be said. What has a slave to say against the order of his master? But if it was not done by your order, and they of themselves did these vile deeds, I rely on your acting according to justice and equity by ordering the murderers to be imprisoned, so that they may not escape. This faithful one and the heirs of the deceased are coming. We rest assured that this complaint will be dealt with before Your Majesty according to the precepts of the Holy Law. This devoted one's prayer is that until he arrives they be not be released. If, by any chance, any one asks for their release, let not the request be granted." [Shiu, 54a.]
v2.c13.s15.2
Muhammad Shah answered by asseverating his extreme grief and regret at recent events; God alone knew the extent to which he felt them. By God's help, Haidar Beg Khan, the culprit, had been killed on the spot. "By God's name I swear that I knew absolutely nothing of this affair. When the outbreak occurred, strict injunctions, such as were appropriate, were issued; but as that wretch had carried out his purpose, they were of no avail. Haidar Beg Khan is dead, the names of the others are not known, nor do you give those names. If you write precise details, action will be taken. The extreme loyalty and the clearness of the thoughts of that Pillar of the State are more evident than the sun itself, and are impressed on my heart. By the aid of God I, too, will soon reach that place; that Loyal One also purposes to come to the Presence. If it please the Lord Most High, this matter will then be decided in the most perfect and satisfactory manner according to the Holy Law and to Justice." [Shiu 55a.]
v2.c13.s15.3
After a little time had elapsed, and the rumours of Abdullah Khan's preparations grew louder, the Emperor addressed a farman to him. His Majesty was still awaiting his arrival at Court, as promised in his letter, and had looked for him every day. "Now comes the unexpected report that he has hurried off to Dihli, has brought a royal Prince from the State prison, has placed him on the throne and enlisted a great army. If the cause of this conduct be the death of his brother, (although against God's decrees man is helpless), the Holy Law provides for retaliation (qisas). Through God's favour the man in fault has received his punishment. If at first, owing to human weakness, angry thoughts arose, he must now submit himself to God's decrees. To place reliance on an army and cannon is not only to resist God's vicegerent, but is unfitted to the character of such a mighty noble. Let him come himself to the Presence, and whatever he wishes shall be done. He has not made any application. Let him come without delay and lay his case, in his own way, before His Majesty. His Majesty has no other thought than his subjects' welfare, and his heartfelt desire is that such a nobleman may not come to be evil-spoken of among the people. Thus it is fitting for him to give attentive ear to these words; and having understood them and well reflected, let him act accordingly." [Shiu 56a.]
v2.c13.s15.4
To this admonishment Abdullah Khan sent a final answer. "Certainly this true one's arrival in the presence of that Source of Beneficence will be to him a joy equal to that of the worship of God. But the things which happened to Amir-ul-umara, the brother of this one of lowliest qualities, are apparent to Your Majesty. If this faithful slave had been at Court, he, too, would have undergone the same; nay, God alone knows what might have occurred. From these causes, this slave sees no safe course or refuge for himself except in turning his face away from Your Majesty's presence. Although a sovereign is God's vicegerent upon earth, still that power is deputed to him only for the welfare and protection of created beings. If there were safety where Your Majesty is, how were it possible for a lowly thing like me to disobey the exalted order. Guardian of the Realm! Muhammad Ibrahim, too, is of Your Majesty's family and brethren. Yea verily, in him I have provided an instrument for my safety. If it please the Most High God, in a short time, attending on his stirrup, we shall be honoured with the felicity of an audience, and the true state of the matter will be laid before you. To say more would be to transgress the rules of politeness." In these more or less ironical terms the gauntlet was thrown down by Abdullah Khan before Muhammad Shah and his supporters. [Shiu 56b.]