My attachment and regard to His Majesty (Aurangzeb) were so great, that observing his life drawing to a close, I did not wish to quit the presence. * * On the evening before my departure, the Emperor, opening the window of his sleeping apartment, called me to him, and said, “Separation now takes place between us, and our meeting again is uncertain. Forgive then whatever, wittingly or unwittingly, I may have done against thee, and pronounce the words I forgive! three times with sincerity of heart. As thou hast served me long, I also forgive thee whatever knowingly or otherwise thou mayest have done against me.” Upon hearing these expressions, sobs became like a knot in my throat, so that I had not power to speak. At last, after His Majesty had repeatedly pressed me, I made a shift to pronounce the words I forgive! three times, interrupted by heavy sobs. He shed many tears, repeated the words, and, after blessing me, ordered me to retire. * *
The Prince Bedár Bakht, being appointed to the government of Málwá, I paid my respects to him at Ujjain. In a short time such a friendship grew up between us, that a greater between a prince and subject cannot be conceived. He would not be an instant without me: he would not eat of anything but he sent me part of it: he did nothing of importance without asking my advice, and considered my opinion as religiously decisive. In short, the particulars of his favour are beyond relation; but on this account I became envied by all his dependents. * *
A'zam Sháh, being informed of the (death of Aurangzeb) by his agents and the nobles who affected to embrace his interest, arrived on the 3rd of Zí-l hijja at the camp at Ahmadnagar. * * Many of the chief Imperial servants, as * * had a real attachment to him. Some neither loved nor hated him, and a few, though they disliked, yet from inability to oppose prudently submitted to his authority. Three Mughal chiefs only delayed to come in to offer their allegiance—Fíroz Jang, his son Chín Kalích Khán, and Muhammad Amín Khán.
On the 10th Zí-l hijja, 1118, A'zam Sháh ascended the throne of empire amidst the usual rejoicings, and conferred favours on the nobility according to their stations, but on few in a manner affording satisfaction. * * While he was only a prince, most of the nobility were attached to him, and regarded him as possessing every approved quality for empire; but almost immediately after his accession to the throne, the general opinion was altered, through his own conduct. He slighted the principal nobility, and betrayed great parsimony to the army, acting as if he had no occasion for their services. This proceeded from a vain belief that none dared to oppose him, and that his elder brother, Sháh 'Álam, relinquishing to him such a vast empire as Hindústán without a struggle, would fly for safety to another clime. At the same time he openly declared his jealousy of his own son, Bedár Bakht, whose favour with the late Emperor had displeased him. He treated the old nobility with contempt, and would say publicly that they were not fit for his service.
A'zam Sháh proceeded with the Imperial camp towards Ágra by regular stages, taking the route by the ghát of Túmrí. * * * The route of Túmrí was hilly, full of woods, and for many long spaces void of water; so that during two days' march, great numbers of men, women, children, and animals perished through want of water. * *
Bedár Bakht had the greatest and most sincere affection for his grandfather, who equally loved him. * * In obedience to the orders of his father, he departed from Gujarát without delay, at the head of only 3000 horse, his own dependents, and carried with him about thirty lacs of rupees in treasure, property of his own, not presuming to touch twenty lacs in the Imperial treasury, lest it should raise suspicions of his fidelity in the mind of his father. For the same reason, he made not any addition to his force, though he could with ease have raised a great army, and might have procured a kror of rupees from the bankers and renters. * * On the eve of his march he despatched a letter to me, and several others on his route; but the couriers brought none to hand in due time, the public roads being guarded by officers who had orders to search all messengers and inspect letters. * * At length, on the 1st Muharram, the Prince's letters were brought to me all at once, and immediately after I departed from Mándú. * * The Prince was moving into Ujjain when he perceived me at a distance, and said to his attendants, “Is not that Irádat Khán that I see?” He stopped his train, and opening wide his arms he cried, “Come, come, my friend! in expectation of whom my eyes have been strained even to dimness.”