[The following stories are taken from a work which the Munshí who translated them calls Majma'-i Nasáyah. In the list of works prefixed to Sir H. Elliot's original volume it is entered “No. LXXIX. Wassaya, Nizámu-l Mulk.” No copy of the work is to be found in Sir H. Elliot's library, nor have I been able to obtain access to one. There is no doubt, however, that the extracts are derived from the work of Nizámu-l Mulk Túsí, the celebrated wazír of Malik Sháh Saljúk. This work was largely used by Hammer in his History of the Assassins, and he refers to it as the “Wassaya, or Political Institutes of Nizámu-l Mulk.” The title of the work then is Majma'-i Wasáyá; but it is possible that the copy used by the Munshí bore the title Majma'i Nasáih, which is almost identical in signification. The work consists of a series of counsels addressed to the author's own sons.
Malik Sháh Saljúk reigned from 1072 to 1092 A.D., and Nizámu-l Mulk fell by the dagger of an assassin one month before the death of his master. The work, then, was written in the decline of the Ghaznivide dynasty; and a few stories relating to them and to India have been selected. One passage concerning Nizámu-l Mulk himself, and Hasan Sabáh the founder of the sect of the Assassins, has no direct reference to India, but it is interesting, and it enables us to identify the work as being the same as that used by Hammer. (See History of the Assassins, Transl. p. 44.)
The wording of the Extracts has been revised in part by Sir H. Elliot and in part by some unknown hand, but the translation seems not to have been tested; it must therefore rest upon the authority of the Munshí.*]
In the beginning of Sultán Subuktigín's reign the office of Wazír
was conferred on Khwája Abú-l 'Abbás Isfaráíní, but Amír 'Alí
Khesháwand, who was the head of the Hájibs and one of the
greatest and most trustworthy officers of the Sultán, entertained
hostility against him. The Khwája had informed the King of this,
and therefore his Majesty was never angry with him. Although
complaints were brought against him from different parts of the
country, and his every action was immediately reported, yet the
King saw no occasion to call him to account. If any person represented
to the King any irregularity or misconduct on the part of the
Khwája, he considered the man had been instructed by 'Alí Kheshá-
At this juncture the Sultán undertook an expedition to Hindústán, and one day 'Alí Khesháwand, having gone to him while he was sitting alone, told him how he had long since known the deceitful conduct of Abú-l 'Abbás, and that he had several times determined to bring it before his Majesty's notice, but he had hesitated lest the representation of it might be put down to some selfish motive. Your Majesty, said he, has discovered his other faults and embezzlements without my help, and now he has sworn to his indigence falsely, because he has still in his possession some rarities of such value that few kings can boast of in their stores. The Sultán was much surprised on hearing these words, and said, If it is true, Abú-l 'Abbás deserves great punishment. 'Alí Khesháwand observed, If the King order me, I can prove my assertion. The King remarked that in case he failed to prove it he should suffer death. This was agreed to, and 'Alí Khesháwand departed from the King's presence.
At this time Khwája Abú-l 'Abbás was in confinement in one of the forts. 'Alí Khesháwand, among the plunder from one of the kings of Híndustán, had obtained a dagger from his treasury, the handle of which was adorned with a large ruby of Yemen, sixty miskáls in weight. He had also taken from the store of the Sámání kings a jar which contained a sír of syrup. He had concealed these from every person that the King might not know of them. He now took both these rarities to the fort, and placed Khwája Abú-l 'Abbás in charge of his own men. After a few days he returned to the court, and having brought the dagger and the jar with him, he reported to the King that after many difficulties, and menaces and threats, he had discovered them; that one of them had belonged to the sovereigns of India, and was sent as a present to the throne, but that the Khwája had concealed it; and that the other he had stolen at the time when the treasury of the Sámání kings was taken possession of. Now, said he to the Sultán, what are your orders? Shall we take strong measures against him to realize the arrears or not? The King, in great rage, replied, I give you both these things, and you may exact from him the remainder of the government demands by any means you like. After this the Sultán proceeded to India, and 'Alí Khesháwand delivered the poor minister to his enemies, by whose severities he met the mercy of God.
The object of relating this story here is to show that to be at enmity with great and powerful men is very dangerous, and is sure to bring evil. May God protect and help us!