Nizámu-l Mulk and Sarbuland Khán were at first led to expect the appointments of wazír and mír-bakhshí. The Emperor spoke to them both about removing the obnoxious minister Saiyid 'Abdu-llah Khán from office, and they replied, “Your Majesty can give the portfolio of wazír to whichever of us you deem most capable; and if Saiyid 'Abdu-llah shows any resistance after his removal, he shall be brought to punishment.” The Emperor replied, “I know of no person more fit for the post of wazír than I'tikád Khán.” Every exalted noble of Írán and of Túrán, when he heard that it was the Emperor's design to bestow the important office of wazír, with every sign of partiality, upon such a prating, base-born, infamous person, felt the greatest disgust. They were heart-broken, but they were not disposed to obey and submit to I'tikád Khán.
In the midst of this uneasy feeling the 'Íd-i fitr occurred, and nearly seventy thousand horse and foot went in the royal procession to the 'Íd-gáh. There was great apprehension among all classes, in expectation that Saiyid 'Abdu-llah Khán was about to be made prisoner. On that day Saiyid 'Abdu-llah had not with him more than four or five thousand horse. * * After this Saiyid 'Abdu-llah began to enlist soldiers. In former days he entertained few except Saiyids of Bárha, because he had full reliance on their courage and devotion; but he now gave orders for the enlistment of twenty thousand men of all tribes.
When this disturbing intelligence reached Amíru-l umará Husain 'Alí in the Dakhin, his apprehensions were aroused, and he resolved to proceed to Court. But before doing so he resolved upon another plan, and * * wrote to Court for information. Afterwards he received intelligence that peace had been made between the Emperor and Saiyid 'Abdu-llah; that Rája Ajít Singh, who had been called to Court, had received the hereditary title of Mahárája and other royal favours, through the help and countenance of Saiyid 'Abdu-llah; that, although his daughter was affianced to the Emperor, he was in close accord and intimacy with the Saiyid, and that a strict and lasting agreement of amity had been made between them.
At the end of the month of Shawwál the Emperor, in accord with I'tikád Khán, Khán-daurán, and other well-disposed nobles, went to the house of Kutbu-l Mulk Saiyid 'Abdu-llah, to pay him a vist. They then made friends together, swore to an absence of animosity, and mutually made excuses for past behaviour, and for the ill-feelings that had been entertained. The Emperor then returned. Ikhlás Khán, an old and devoted friend of the two brothers, was sent to the Dakhin, to give a feeling of assurance to Amíru-l umará.
[Text, vol. ii. p. 749.] The opinions and resolutions of the Emperor never remained steady to one course. Now he was resolved upon peace and amity, and now upon the degradation recommended by evil counsellors. * * Saiyid 'Abdu-llah Khán had engaged nearly twenty thousand men, and day by day the dissension and rupture between him and the Emperor grew wider. * * Letters arrived from Husain 'Alí, representing his wish to come to Court, and complaining that the climate of the Dakhin did not agree with him. * * On the other hand, letters reached him from his brother urging him to come quickly to Court. So, on the 15th Shawwal, in the seventh (sic) year of the reign, he sent forward his brother, Saifu-d dín 'Alí Khán, with four or five thousand horse, as an advanced force, to Burhánpúr, with directions to collect the materials of war and artillery.
Amíru-l umará Husain 'Alí received many letters in succession
from his brother, Kutbu-l Mulk Saiyid 'Abdu-llah.
At the end of Zí-l hijja, he left Aurangábád, and, after
halting a week for making necessary arrangements, at the
beginning of Muharram, 1131*
Hijra, having put his artillery
in order, and done his best to secure the good-will
of the amírs and the Mahrattas, he with * * * commenced
his march upon Dehlí. * * He placed the fort of
Malhír, * * the fort of Sálír, and two or three other forts, in
charge of men of his own. * * Nearly sixteen thousand Mah-
Other letters also informed Saiyid Husain 'Alí that Sarbuland
Khán, in consequence of the resumption of his jágír, and the
transfer of his prosperous lands to Mír Jumla, and through want
of money, inability to pay his soldiers, and pressing demands,
had retired from service, resigned his mansab, and had given up
his elephants, horses, and household effects to his creditors, with
the intention of becoming a religious mendicant. Saiyid 'Abdu-
It was now announced that the Emperor was going out hunting on a certain day, and that as he returned he would pay a visit to Saiyid 'Abdu-llah. Mahárája Ajít Singh, although he was father-in-law to the Emperor, had become a firm ally of the minister. His house was situated in the road leading to Saiyid 'Abdu-llah's, and the Emperor had determined that, when his escort reached the Mahárája's house, he would make him prisoner, although he might come out to offer his nazar and pay his respects. But although this resolve was confined to the Emperor's own heart, Ajít Singh was alarmed and suspicious, for “traitors are fearful,” and before the Emperor returned he took refuge in the house of Saiyid 'Abdu-llah.
The Emperor was returning in a boat, and was about to proceed to the house of Saiyid 'Abdu-llah, as he had determined. But he learned of Ajít Singh's having sought protection in the house of that noble, which greatly annoyed him; and when he came near the house, he changed his intention, and ordered the boat to be rowed quickly onwards. His suite and equipage went to the house, and the wazír went forth as far as the bank of the river to meet him, but he repaired to his palace in the fort.
[Text, vol. ii. p. 804.] [March of Husain 'Alí Khán.] At the end of the month Rabí'u-l awwal, at the beginning of the eighth year of the reign, Husain 'Alí Khán approached Dehlí and encamped near the lát of Fíroz Sháh, two or three kos from the city. There he showed his rebellious designs by ordering his drums to be beaten loudly in defiance; for it is contrary to all rule for (a subject's) drums to be beaten near the residence of the Emperor. Complaining of the Emperor, he entered his tents, and repeatedly said that he no longer reckoned himself among the servants of the monarch. “I will maintain the honour of my race, and care neither for loss of my mansab, nor for royal censure.”