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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[NOVEMBER, 1898.
circulated in their camp; till the people of the fortress sent many rare presents for the Prince, the Khin-Khanan, Shahbaz Khan and Sadik Muhammad Khan.
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Afzal Khin, owing to the high reputation which he enjoyed among the grandees of the country and celebrated men of the State as a diplomatist, was appointed Nizâm-Shahi ambassador; and having earned the approbation of Her Highness Chand Bibi by his praiseworthy services, especially in the days of the siege, she conferred on him the office of Na,îb and the rank of Pishwâ, and exalted him with the title of Chingiz Khân.
In like manner a legation from the Prince was selected to arrange the terms of peace: it consisted of the Khan-Khânân, Mir Muhammad Zaman Razwi Mashhadi (who to the end of time will be renowned for his faithfulness in the discharge of his duties); and Shah Babrâm Astarabâdî was appointed as the deputy of Shahbaz Khân, lave we wa
the
On Sunday, the 10th of the month of Rajab [1st March, A. D. 1596], the dawn of which was the rising of the sun of happiness and reconciliation, and the beginning of the happy and fortunate days, the ambassadors above mentioned, by order of Her Highness the Bilkis of the age, went out of the fortress and hastened to their duties. When the news of the arrival of the ambassadors reached the Prince, he ordered a place to be given to them in the camp of Saiyid Murtazi, in order that whenever he should summon them Saiyid Murtaza Light bring them. Then he sent a person to summon Khan-Khanan, Shahbaz Khan Raja Al Khan, Sadik Muhammad Khan and all the great men and amira. A royal assembly was arranged for the reception of the ambassadors. Afzal Khan, Khan-i Khawanin Chingiz Khin with Mir Muhammad Zaman and Shah Bahram were taken to the foot of the Prince's throne, and kept in the place of servitude. After the ambassadors had performed the ceremonies of "kurfush" and "taslim"-which is the method of salutation of the Chaghta, kingsthe Prince and the Khân-Khânân called them near, and they asked an explanation of the cause of the war and their object in coming. Concerning the terms of peace they used the above-mentioned words. Afzal-ul-Khawanin Chingis Khan hastened to reply; and after the usual complimentary phrases, he represented his case as follows :brede si sadar met to Los when ad
31 of:
fortress
The Prince approved of the eloquent words; he bestowed on the delegates of the Queen robes of honour and Arab horses, and said: "The completion of your affairs I entrust to care of the Khân-Khânân : represent your case to him in order that it may be settled according to your your wishes." Next day, the Khin-Khânân having met in council, summoned the ambassadors of the Queen; and at first them asked for a and in order that they well-wishing khan from his allegiatico, and by bribes and stratagems obtain possession of the fortress. They said to Afgal Khan: We will make you a commander of five thousand," 1, and cede to you by treaty whatever district of the Dakhan you may desire; your opinion shall be made the rule in all affairs, and we shall allow no transgression of your wishes. It may be that in some way this fortress may come into our possession." Now he tookwondos drive form bra
Afsal Khan, in reply to them, said: The conquest of this fortress by assault is an impossibility: for though at one time it seemed to be attainable because the provisions of the fort and war war-like, mate rial came to an end; yet now that they the ten, arme and war-like implements; and nearly 10,000 brave warriors,on of for years in corn, gunpowder, a to achieve fame, are in the fortress, and for the sake of guarding the rights of salt and service of no didny yeafs, as long as t they have a breath left in their bodies, they would choose to die rather than yield the fortress and yo1 Ene troy hima-mişiz of toca When the amirs saw that their fraud and spells had no effect on Afzal Khan, they became hope less of taking the fortress, and made the following insolent speech: "Since His Majesty the late Burhan Nizam-Shah, at the time of going towards the Dakhan, made a present of the kingdom of
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