Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c15.s3.1

v1.c15.s3.1

With the return of daylight Muin promptly took such measures of defence as were possible under the circumstances; he posted his most trustworthy soldiers to man the walls and dug trenches where the fortifications were weak. Abdali invited him to a conference for settling a peace. Muin fearlessly went there with only three attendants, namely two sons of Jan Nisar Khan and a eunuch. Two of the highest Afghan nobles welcomed him and presented him to their king. Ahmad Shah asked, "What would you have done to me if you had captured me?" Muin replied, "I should have cut your head off and sent it to my master the Emperor." Abdali asked again, "Now that you have held off so long from making a submission, what should I do to you?" The vanquished governor fearlessly gave the answer, "If you are a shopkeeper sell me (for a ransom), if you are a butcher kill me, but if you are a Padishah then grant me your grace and pardon." The answer highly pleased the Afghan king. He embraced Muin, called him his son (Farzand Khān B.) and bestowed on him a robe of honour, an aigrette for the crest, and the very turban he was wearing. (Miskin, 16-17, Husaini 33.)