Indian Antiquary Vol 36

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 18

THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[JANUARY, 1907.
were present in great numbers, moving to and fro in his territories. Over and above all this, Shaja'-ud-daulah's heart was turned against him, because he haul procured the betrothal of 'Ali Quli Khan's daughter to 'Imād-al-mulk. “While I myself [i, e., Ghafan ar Jang] am lame "and thus useless. If perchance the Shāh's army arrives here and carries me off to his "head-quarters, my copntry will be devastated and destroyed. After that calamity, what " possibility is there of again restoring it to prosperity. For on eyery side are powerful enemies,
lords of treasure and of armies, who dwell on the confines of my territories. In this state of "things, what remedy is there?”
Previously, during the invasion of Nadir Shāh, the inhabitants of Hindustan had seen and heard of the general slaughter and the plundering and destruction of Shahjahapabad. Moreover, these Afghans round about Farrukhabad had, subsequent to Nādir Shah's time, been badly handled by Nawāb Şafdar Jang, being rained and reduced to poverty, and forced to flee to the hill regions. Thus they were at a loss what answer to give, each one of them lost hand and foot (became helpless) and brought to their lips silly words, But some of them who were famed for judgment and wise planning, represented as follows.
The advisable thing is that Your Excellency march two or three stages in the direction of Shābjabánābād, and fix on some place for several halte. When these days of halting have passed, you should again march two or three kos and once more halt. In this manner the Shah [Abdili) will become aware that you are coming to join him and will send no army. Should a force arrive, it will come to join itself to yours. You should leave troops in Farrukhābād to protect your women and family; then, if anything happens, these men can carry off your family to the hills,
To sum up nothing was decided on, which could allay Ghazanfar Jang's anxieties; fear and dread fell upon every one's heart, both gentle and simple. Great and little men, they all engaged in making plans for flight. Ghazanfar Jang neither ate npr slept.
In the end Mir Sher Andaz Khan, who has already been spoken of, represented that to his imperfect understanding the following scheme had presented itself. Let a trusty persou from the Nawab's entourage be sent to interview the Shah ; let him be provided with letters and petitions to the Shāh and the chief Wazir, setting forth in detail his (4hmad Khan's) position, the power of the Mahrattahe, his enemies, and their pocupation of his lands. If this faithful one [Sher Aridaz Khan) were thought worthy of this task, Please God Most High! he would retorn having arranged all these points favourably, or obtain even a little more.
After much discussion and considerable reflection, the above proposal was accepted as wise and prudent. The Mir Şahlb was to be despatched with some presents and rarities. Accordingly, they collected 101 gold coins, one thousand rupees strack at Farrukhābād, twenty lengtos of gold brocade (kamkhwab), seven pairs of shawls, twenty lengths of figured cloth (mashru), and forty silk, scarves with drawn-thread work (ka shidah) designs on them. These last are in length and breadth the size of a shawl; they are the product of Map town. All these things were sent as an offering to the Shab. There were alsp five lengths of kamkhwäb brocade, two pairs of shawls, ten lengths of figured cloth (mashru), forty yards (dira) of green and scarlet broad-cloth and ten Mau scarves ; all for the chief minister, namely, Shah Wali Khan. Four lengths of kamkhwab, two pairs of shawls, seven scarves from Mau; these were to be given to Jangbar Khan, Bangash, one of the famed nobles and a commander over 5,000 horsemen. This man was of Ghazanfar Jang's own tribe ; and, owing to his excessive valour, the Shāh had been pleased to proclaim him as his own son,
When all these things had been collected, the Mir Sahib was sent off with bags containing the petitions and papers, stating the objects songht. One Ahmad Khåp, s petty officer, was sent with him, because he knew the Afghan and Turki languages. The said Khăn joined singly
• Mau is 18 miles W. of Farrokhabad.