THIS work is sometimes called Táríkh-i Bahádur-Sháhí. It is a well-written history, composed by Muhammad Kásim, who describes himself as a dependent of Amíru-l umará Saiyid Husain 'Alí Khán. It commences with the death of Aurang-zeb, and terminates with the death of Kutbu-l Mulk Saiyid 'Abdu-llah, the author having accomplished his purpose of writing a history of the times of the two great Saiyids of Bárha. One copy I have in small octavo contains 224 pages of eighteen lines to a page. Another imperfect copy of a work of the same name, and by the same author, carries the history down to A.D. 1736. The language also occasionally varies, so that it is probable the latter may be a second edition of the former, especially as it seems to be more elaborately got up, and to be written in a more polished style. There are, however, several works known by this name, and there is a later history bearing this title.

The following is a list of the contents, with the number of pages occupied by each chapter:

Reason of writing the 'Ibrat-náma, 2 pp.—Cause of the author's becoming an attendant in the Court of Amíru-l umará Saiyid Husain 'Alí Khán the Martyr, 9 pp.—Account of the Death of Aurangzeb 'Álamgír, 11 pp.—Happy Accession of Bahádur Sháh to the Imperial Throne, 11 pp.—March of Muhammad A'zam Sháh with the object of making war against Muhammad Mu'azzam Bahádur Sháh. The armies meet in the field of Haju in the vicinity of Ágra, 5 pp.—Battle between Muhammad A'zam Sháh and Muhammad Mu'azzam Bahádur Sháh and his sons. Victory gained by the latter, 4 pp.—Rejoicings at the victory of Muhammad Mu'azzam Bahádur Sháh. Rewards and gifts granted by him to his old and new servants, attendants and relations, 18 pp.—Departure of Bahádur Sháh towards the Dakhin against Muhammad Kám Bakhsh, 2 pp.—His return into Hindústán after gaining the victory over Kám Bakhsh, his younger brother, 13 pp.—Disturbances caused by the Sikhs in the Panjáb. Ruin of Sirhind. Eulogy of Nának Sháh Fakír, 2 pp.—War of the four Princes close to the garden of Shálimár in Láhore, 42 pp.—The two Princes Jahán Sháh and Rafí'u-Shán. War with Muhammad Mu'izzu-d dín Jahándár Sháh, 12 pp.—Happy accession of Muhammad Mu'izzu-d dín Jahándár Sháh to the Imperial Throne of Dehlí, 11 pp.—Muhammad Farrukh Siyar, hearing the news of the battles of the four Princes at Láhore, prepares to take revenge for his father and brother, 7 pp.—The troops of Sultán 'Azzu-d dín, son of Jahándár Sháh, defeated by the two Saiyids. His flight, 10 pp.—Muhammad Farrukh Siyar's Accession to the Throne at Ágra, 12 pp.—Ísa Khán, Zamíndár of the Doáb, his family and relations, all killed by Sháhdad Khán, an Afghán of Kasor, 19 pp.—Cause of dis­turbance in the Government of Farrukh Siyar, 3 pp.—Nawáb Saiyid Husain 'Alí Khán appointed to superintend the affairs of the Rájpúts of Ajmír and of the great amírs, and to bring Rája Ajít Singh's daughter to Farrukh Siyar, 6 pp.—Farrukh Siyar marries the daughter of Rája Ajít Singh Ráthor on the banks of the Ráví, 7 pp.—The Súbadárí of the Dakhin committed to the charge of Husain 'Alí Khán, and that of the Eastern Division to Hamla Bahádur, 6 pp.—Muhammad Rafí'u-d Darajat raised to the throne; death of Muhammad Farrukh Siyar, 4 pp.—Tumults and seditions at Ágra. Prince Neku Siyar raised to the throne; Saiyid Husain 'Alí Khán's march to Ágra with Rafí'u-d Daula Sháh Jahán the Second. Reduction of the fort of Ágra, 14 pp. —Accession of Muhammad Ghází to the throne, by the aid of the Saiyids, at Fathpúr, 19 pp.—Disturbances at Alláhábád by Giridhar Bahádur, brother of Rája Chhabílá; Haidar Kulí Khán sent against him; departure of Rája Ratan Bahádur, 4 pp.—Muhammad Sháh's departure towards the Dakhin; Saiyid Husain 'Alí Khán killed by the treachery of a Mughal, 36 pp. —News of Saiyid Husain Khán being killed received by Saiyid 'Abdu-llah Khán, his elder brother; and his affliction, 23 pp.— War between Muhammad Amín Khán and Saiyid 'Abdu-llah Khán Kutbu-l Mulk; capture of the aforesaid Saiyid, 13 pp.

Size of one copy 9 1/2 inches by 7—108 pages of 12 lines each.

[There are four copies of this work among Sir H. M. Elliot's MSS.]