Sháh 'Álam Bahádur Sháh.

I shall now relate some particulars necessary to be known concerning Sháh 'Álam, his march from Kábul, and other pro­ceedings to the day of engagement with his unfortunate brother A'zam Sháh.

Some time before his death, Aurangzeb had appointed Mun'im Khán to be díwán to Sháh 'Álam, who was governor of Kábul. This nobleman was of great abilities, active in the cabinet, reso­lute in execution, and of unbending integrity of mind. He soon arranged the Prince's affairs, which, before his coming into office, were always in confusion, owing to the ascendency of unworthy favourites. ^{* *} A superfluous army was kept up, exceeding the ability of the revenue, and being consequently ill-paid, was ever mutinous and discontented. ^{* *} He diminished the Prince's army, but took care to pay that on foot regularly, so as to leave no room for discontent, or excuse for licentiousness. ^{* *} When he heard of Aurangzeb's illness, in order to prevent cabals in favour of A'zam Sháh, he circulated a report that Sháh 'Álam would not contend for empire, but seek protection from his brother by flight to Persia. Sháh 'Álam had himself indeed made this declaration long before, and with such apparent resolu­tion that it was believed and dreaded even by his sons who resided with him. Mun'im Khán related to me afterwards the following anecdote in these words: “When I perceived that my attachment, sincerity, and abilities had properly impressed Sháh 'Álam's mind, and that he was convinced I was a prudent, faithful, and secret servant, being alone one day with him con­versing on the affairs of the empire, I took the liberty of thus addressing him: ‘It is reported that Your Highness intends flying to Persia, with so much confidence, that even the Princes, your sons, assure me by sacred oaths of its truth.’ He replied, ‘In this rumour there lies concealed a great design, to forward which I have spread it abroad and taken pains to make it be­lieved. First, because my father, on a mere suspicion of dis­loyalty, kept me nine years in close confinement; and should he even now think that I cherished the smallest ambition, he would immediately strive to accomplish my ruin. Secondly, my bro­ther Muhammad A'zam Sháh, who is my powerful enemy, and valiant even to the extreme of rashness, would exert all his force against me. From this report my father is easy, and my brother lulled into self-security; but, by the Almighty God who gave me life’ (laying his hand on the Kurán by him), ‘and on this holy book, I swear, though not one friend should join me, I will meet A'zam Sháh in single combat, wherever he may be. This secret, which I have so long maintained, and even kept from my own children, is now entrusted to your care. Be cautious that no instance of your conduct may betray it!’”

When news of Aurangzeb's death reached Mun'im Khán at Láhore, he wrote immediately by express to Sháh 'Álam, con­juring him to march with the utmost expedition towards the capital, without anxiety or preparation, and he should find artillery and all supplies ready at Láhore. This wise minister then prepared bridges over the various rivers, so that not a day's delay was occasioned in crossing to the Prince's army, which at Láhore was joined by a powerful train of artillery with sufficient draft. He also paid up all the troops, and advanced large sums to new levies. Sháh 'Álam soon arrived in the neighbourhood of Dehlí, and Mun'im Khán entered the city with a select party. ^{* *} Muhammad Yár Khán, the commander of the palace, was so awed with the wazír's gallantry, and the arrival of Sháh 'Álam, that he saw no security for himself but in resigning his charge. He accordingly gave up the palace, in which were the treasures of Hindústán collected from the days of Akbar. ^{* * *} Mun'im Khán then advanced with some chosen troops before the Prince to Ágra. ^{* *} Bákí Khán, an old Imperial servant, and governor of the fortress which he had refused to resign to 'Azímu-sh Shán, being certified that Sháh 'Álam was approach­ing, did not choose to resist longer, but sent offers, that if Mun'im Khán would come first alone into the citadel, he would resign the command. Mun'im Khán accordingly, without the least dis­trust, entered over a narrow plank, only passable for a single person, which was placed over a deep ditch from a small wicket to admit him. ^{* *} After refreshment, he sealed up the treasury, posted his people at the different gates, and about midnight went to visit 'Azímu-sh Shán, who was encamped at the distance of six kos. ^{* *} Without doubt Sháh 'Álam's successes, and his attainment of the empire, were owing to the conduct and valour of this great minister.

The sons of Bahádur Sháh.

It is now necessary to say something of the four sons of Sháh 'Álam, their dispositions and behaviour, both in public and private. Mu'izzu-d dín Jahándár Sháh, the eldest, was a weak man, devoted to pleasure, who gave himself no trouble about State affairs, or to gain the attachment of any of the nobility, as will be seen when I come to narrate his reign. 'Azímu-sh Shán, the second son, was a statesman of winning manners. Aurangzeb had always pursued the policy of en­couraging his grandsons and employing them in public affairs; for as his sons were ambitious of great power, and at the head of armies, he thus prudently controlled them by opposing to them enemies in their own families, as Bedár Bakht to A'zam Sháh, and 'Azímu-sh Shán to Sháh 'Álam. To the latter he had given the advantageous government of the three provinces of Bengal, Bihár, and Orissa, from whence he had now come with a rich treasure and considerable army; and though in the late battle he had performed great service, yet he was suspected by his father and dreaded as a rival; but to relate the causes would be useless prolixity. Rafí'u-sh Shán, the private companion and favourite of his father, was a prince of quick parts, a great pro­ficient in religious learning, a fine writer, and of much knowledge in the law, but at the same time addicted to pleasure, particularly fond of music and the pomp of courtly show. He paid no attention to public affairs or even those of his own household. Khujista-akhtar Jahán Sháh had the greatest share of all the Princes in the management of affairs, before his father's acces­sion to the throne, and afterwards the whole administration of the empire was influenced by him. He had the closest friendship and connexion with Mun'im Khán, who, by his interest, was appointed wazír.

Character of Bahádur Sháh. His Court.

Sháh 'Álam was generous and merciful, of a great soul tempered with affability, discerning of merit. He had seen the strict exercise of power during the reigns of his grandfather and father, and been used to authority himself for the last fifty years. Time received a new lustre from his accession, and all ranks of people obtained favours equal to, if not above their merits; so that the public forgot the excellences and great qualities of Aurang-zeb, which became absorbed in the bounties of his successor. Some narrow-hearted persons, however, out of ingratitude and envy, attributed his general liberality to ill-placed extravagance and profusion; but it is a fact that the deserving of every pro­fession, and the worthy of all degrees, whether among the learned or the eloquent, the noble or the ignoble, received an attention from the throne, which prior to this the eye of time had never seen, nor had such been heard of before by the ears of fame. His personal qualities and perfections, speech is unable to relate. His valour was such that he had resolved on meeting A'zam Sháh, whose bravery was celebrated, in single combat. His four sons, possessed of great power and considerable force, he suffered to be constantly near his person, never giving himself a moment's suspicion regarding them, nor preventing them forming con-nexions with the prime nobility; upon which subject I, the humblest of his slaves, once ventured to present him a petition of a cautionary nature, thinking it my duty, as I had often done so to Aurangzeb. To what I represented he wrote a wise and just reply. He permitted the sons of those princes who had fallen in battle against him to appear at all times completely armed in his presence. The infant children he let remain un­molested with their mothers, while those arrived at manhood daily accompanied him to the chase unguarded, and shared in all his diversions.