[vol. ii. p. 687.] Next day many messages passed between Jahándár Sháh and Jahán Sháh respecting an arrangement, but without result, and the course of affairs tended to the shedding of each other's blood. A battle followed between the armies of the two brothers, and raged from the beginning of the day to the third watch. Farkhanda Akhtar, son of Jahán Sháh, and several amírs of reputation, were killed. On the side of Jahándár Sháh, also, some amírs and many men were killed. At length Jahán Sháh, mounted on an elephant, made an impetuous charge upon the army of Jahándár, and bore all before him, and matters went so ill with Jahándár that he was parted from Lál Kunwar, his favourite charmer, and had to seek refuge among some stacks of bricks. Jahán Sháh beat the drums of victory. The letters of the Rájpút saráfs carried the news of his victory to many parts, and the khutba was read with his name in several places. After the victory had been proclaimed, and the soldiers were dispersed in all directions hunting for Jahán Sháh, a cannon-ball directed by fate killed him, and his army fled. Zú-l fikár Khán's men hearing of this, attacked the elephant of Jahán Sháh, and brought it with his corpse, and the corpse of his son Farkhanda, to Jahándár Sháh. Khujista Akhtar, another son of Jahán Sháh, with a younger brother, were brought prisoners to Jahándár Sháh, who then proclaimed his victory.
[vol. ii. p. 688.] There remained Prince Rafí'u-sh Shán, with whom also Jahándár proposed friendly negociations about the division of the kingdom. Having put the Prince off his guard, Jahándár sent a detachment of horse against him by night. Rafí'u-sh Shán fought desperately. He and his two sons threw themselves from their elephant, and fought bravely on foot; but he and several of his companions were killed. Three of his sons remained alive, but were wounded, Muhammad Ibráhím, Rafí'u-d Daula, and Rafí'u-d Daraját.
[Text, vol. ii. p. 688.] Jahándár, being thus freed from his three brothers, became the monarch of Hindústán. He sent Muhammad Karím and Prince Humáyún Bakht, who were only nine or ten years old, the two sons of Jahán Shah, and the sons of Rafí'u-sh Shán, to the fort of Dehlí. He ordered Rustam Dil Khán and Allah Wardí Khán, who had been guilty of open and secret actions against him, and Mukhlis Khán, whose offence was not manifest, to be subjected to various punishments and imprisoned. Mahábat Khán and * * other amírs, more than twenty in number, were ordered to be confined in chains, and some were put to the rack and other tortures. Their houses also were seized. * * Prince Muhammad Karím, after the death of 'Azímu-sh Shán, fled, and concealed himself in the house of one of the unfortunate men. He took off his ring and sent it for sale, and this led to his capture. He was brought before Jahándár, who was unwilling to kill him; but being persuaded by Zú-l fikár Khán and Sháh Kudrat Allah Fakír (may the curse of God be on him!), he put him to death.
In the brief reign of Jahándár, violence and debauchery had full sway. It was a fine time for minstrels and singers and all the tribes of dancers and actors. There seemed to be a likelihood that kázís would turn toss-pots, and muftís become tipplers. All the brothers and relatives, close and distant, of Lál Kunwar, received mansabs of four or five thousand, presents of elephants, drums and jewels, and were raised to dignity in their tribe. Worthy, talented, and learned men were driven away, and bold impudent wits and tellers of facetious anecdotes gathered round. Among the stories told is the following.
The brother of Lál Kunwar, Khushhál Khán, who had received
a mansab of 5000 and 3000 horse, was named Súbadár of Ágra.
Zú-l fikár Bakhshíu-l Mulk purposely made a delay of several
days in the preparation of the farmán and other deeds. Lál
Kunwar complained of this to Jahándár, and he asked Zú-l fikár
Khán what was the cause of the delay in the drawing out of the
documents. Zú-l fikár Khán was very free-spoken to Jahándár,
and he replied, “We courtiers have got into the bad
habit of taking bribes, and we cannot do any business unless we
get a bribe.” Jahándár Sháh smiled, and asked what bribe
he wanted from Lál Kunwar, and he said a thousand guitar-
Another story about him was spoken of in society, and has become notorious from city to city. He used to go out sometimes in a cart with a mistress and some companions to enjoy himself in the markets and drinking shops. One night he and his favourite went out in this way, and both drank so much that they became drunk and senseless. On arriving at the door of the palace, Lál Kunwar was so drunk that when she got out she took no notice whatever of the Emperor, but went to bed and slept heavily. The Emperor, who was perfectly helpless, remained fast asleep in the cart, and the driver drove home and put the cart away. When the servants saw that the Emperor was not with Lál Kunwar, they were alarmed, and having roused her up, they inquired what had become of him. Lál Kunwar recovered sufficient sense to see that the Emperor was not by her side, and fell a-crying. People went running about in all directions till the Emperor was found in the cart.
Dáúd Khán, who was deputy of Zú-l fikár Khán in the súbas of the Dakhin, exercised such tyranny as is quite incapable of relation. Sambhá Chand, who was called the díwán and manager of Zú-l fikár Khán, used such filthy obscene language that the breath of his foul mouth threw decent men into agony and disgust. Night and day was passed in devotion to the lusts of this vile world.
Two or three months only had passed, when it became known that Farrukh Siyar was at Patna preparing for war, and that he was strongly supported by the Saiyids of Bárha. In Rabí'u-s sání, Jahándár Sháh proceeded from Láhore to Dehlí. Kalích Khán, son of Gházíu-d dín Khán Fíroz Jang, was a man of courage, action, and intelligence. His mansab had been taken from him by Bahádur Sháh, through heedlessness and want of appreciation of his merits, and he retired from Court in disgrace. He was now restored, and received a mansab of 5000. * *
[Text, vol. ii. p. 697.] Information was continually brought to Jahándár Sháh of the proceedings of Farrukh Siyar and the Saiyids of Bárha. He now sent against them his son A'azzu-d dín Khán, with 5000 horse; and he deputed with him Khwája Hasan Khán, to whom he gave the title of Khán-daurán, and under whom he placed the Prince and the army and all the artillery and military equipments. Zú-l fikár Khán was aware of the limited capacity, want of experience, imbecility and frivolity of the Prince. He was also aware of the extraction, character, and evil disposition of Khwája Hasan Khán, who was one of the lowest men of the time. He disapproved of sending him with the Prince, and of placing such extensive authority in his hands. He mentioned this matter to the Emperor, but Miyán Kokaltásh Khán, father of Khwája Hasan, had long entertained inimical and jealous feelings towards Zú-l fikár Khán, and opposed everything that he proposed. The Emperor trusted Kokaltásh Khán Koka and Lál Kunwar more than any one else at his Court, and so he shut his eyes to what was passing. Chín Kalích Khán, who had also been directed to accompany the Prince, was unable to do so for want of the means of transport, and was ordered to follow him.