Later Mughals v2.c13.s8: Sec. 8.—Perplexity of the Sayyid Brothers.
Later Mughals v2.c13.s8
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Sec. 8.—Perplexity of the Sayyid Brothers.
v2.c13.s8.1
By the end of Shaban (29th = 5th July 1720) Abdullah Khan and his brother received intelligence of the disaster which had befallen them in Khandesh. Not only had they failed to arrest Nizam-ul-mulk's progress, not only had they lost a general and an army, but the whole of Husain Ali Khan's family was likely to fall into the victor's hands. Saif-ud-din Ali Khan's children had been intercepted, as we have seen, at Burhanpur, though they were passed on in safety; but Husain Ali Khan had left his wife and family behind him when he quitted the Dakhin, and they were still at Aurangabad. At all hazards, the family name and fame must be preserved. Both brothers agreed to write again to Alim Ali Khan and also try to pacify Nizam-ul-mulk. To the former they wrote ordering him to delay any decisive action until the women were safe and Husain Ali Khan had arrived.
v2.c13.s8.2
As we learn from a statement of Diyanat Khan, once diwan of the Dakhin, but at this time a semi-prisoner in the custody of Husain Ali Khan, overtures to Nizam-ul-mulk were very reluctantly undertaken. On the day that the disastrous news arrived, Husain Ali Khan professed to seek Diyanat Khan's advice in this difficult conjuncture. This noble, referring to a Hindi proverb, which tells you to draw your hand out gently if it is caught beneath a stone, said that in this case the Nawab's own head was in danger, for was not his family in peril? They should, without an instant's delay, issue a patent for the Government of the whole Dakhin in favour of Nizam-ul-mulk and thus conciliate him, leaving warfare and revenge until a better opportunity.
v2.c13.s8.3
Glancing towards Rajah Ratan Chand with a sneering smile, Husain Ali Khan said: "I have sent sums of money to the East. From this place (Agra) to the Dakhin, crowd after crowd of swift horses will be laid out at every stage. I will have ready twelve thousand torch bearers. Not for one instant, neither by day nor by night, will I stay my course or cease to gallop on." Diyanat Khan admitted that the Nawab's strength would enable him to undergo even more than that exertion, but in this hasty advance how many troops would keep up, and even then, what strength would be left in man or horse? Knitting his brows, Husain Ali Khan replied: "The summit of a soldier's ambition is to die. Alas for us! when a leader with a reputation like yours speaks cowardly words, and is like a man who has lost all heart." The Khan retorted with an Arabic saying equivalent to "Man proposes, God disposes." In the end these heroics were seen to be out of place, and other means were tried. To Nizam-ul-mulk they enclosed a farman in a long letter, both of which I proceed to give. [M. U. ii. 75.]
v2.c13.s8.4
The farman began by expressing His Majesty's surprise at hearing that the Nawab had left Malwa without orders. What could be the cause? What apprehensions had he? Why had he not submitted a representation to the Throne, and acted according to the reply that he might receive? In what matter had his requests ever been refused? If he longed to travel and shoot in the Dakhin, how was it possible that such a request should not be granted, or if he had asked for it, the Government would have been made over to him. A patent would have reached him, so that he might not be exposed to censure from evil-speakers. His Majesty was in no way ill-disposed towards him, but he should have avoided the appearance of offence. "As the disorders of the Dakhin are frequently reported to him, His Majesty contemplated making over to you all the subahs of that country. Praise the Lord; this purpose has come to pass of itself, and by God's help, His Majesty's intention and your desire will both be satisfied. 'Heart finds its way to heart under this vault of heaven.' A formal patent is in preparation. When you have taken charge you will send off Alim Ali Khan and the family of the Bakhshi-ul-mamalik, Amir-ul-umara, from whom he has been long separated, granting them a proper escort and seeing to their safety." [Shiu, 33b.]
v2.c13.s8.5
With the *farman* was a letter from Husain Ali Khan. He wrote that Dilawar Ali Khan had been sent to Aurangabad to escort the writer's family to Hindustan. It was now reported that, pretending orders for which there was no foundation, the said Dilawar Ali Khan had interfered with Nizam-ul-mulk, but, the Lord be praised, had only received what he deserved. It was also said that several persons, led by love of mischief-making and devilish devices (*shaitanat*), had written untruly of several matters in a manner likely to sow discord between them. Alas! that such suspicions should arise between old friends! Envious persons, by sowing dissension, hope to open a way for themselves. If, which the Lord forbid, the writer had a grievance, he would have written direct. "No doubt, many things had been brought up, which might have angered His Majesty; and short-sighted men had tried to impress him unfavourably, but the writer, knowing your loyalty, made a detailed representation. By this means, I am thankful to say, your enemies were cast down and your friends made happy. His Majesty has graciously resolved to issue to you a patent for the Government of the Dakhin. Accept my congratulations. Alim Ali Khan, my (adopted) son, and my family propose to return to this country; kindly furnish them with an escort and see that they are not molested on the way." [Shiu 39a.]
v2.c13.s8.6
Such was the state of consternation into which the Sayyids had been thrown, that every day produced some new plan of action, only to be discarded in its turn for one still more new. First, they resolved to march together to the Dakhin with the Emperor; then, that Husain Ali Khan should go with Muhammad Shah, while Abdullah Khan returned to Dihli; next, that Muhammad Shah should return with the Wazir to the capital. At another time, they thought they would make terms with Nizam-ul-mulk, as in the letter just quoted, and postpone an attack upon him to a more favourable opportunity. According to these varying decisions, the advance tents of the Emperor and of the two ministers were sent out first in one direction and then in another.