CONTENTS.

Preface, p. 1—Introduction, on the Creation, the instability of the world, and an account of Hindústán, p. 8—Chap. i. On the Hindú Rájas preceding Islám, p. 56—ii. The Ghaznivides and Ghorians, p. 124—iii. The Khiljí Sultáns, p. 176—iv. The Tughlik-sháhí Sultáns, p. 193—v. The Khizr-khánians, p. 216— vi. The Lodí Afghán Sultáns, p. 225—vii. The early Tímúrian Kings, p. 257—viii. The Súr Afghán Dynasty, p. 279—ix. The minor independent Dynasties, p. 326—x. The later Tímúrian Kings, p. 348. Conclusion—On the holy, learned, and excellent men and poets, whom the author has conversed with, or heard of, p. 595.

SIZE—8vo., containing 651 pages, each of 11 lines.

The only copy which I know of the Táríkh-i Hindí was obtained for me by the kindness of Miyán Faujdár Muhammad Khán, from the library of Nawáb Sikandra Begam of Bhopál, and being in the possession of the descendants of Yár Mu­hammad Khán, the patron of the author, it is perhaps unique. But though there may be more copies in Bhopál, it is probable there are very few beyond the precincts of that city.

[The Extracts which follow were translated by a munshí, and revised by Sir H. M. Elliot.]

This Prince was a lover of pleasure and indolence, negligent of political duties, and addicted to loose habits, but of somewhat a generous disposition. He was entirely careless regarding his subjects. As is well known, this Emperor, so long as Amíru-l umará Husain 'Alí Khán lived, strictly observed, by virtue of the efficient management of that great Saiyid, all the ancient laws and established rules of his ancestors. The achievement of all undertakings, the arrangement of all political affairs, and the execution of all wars were carried on in an excellent manner by the wisdom of that high nobleman. The Emperor decided all disputes without partiality, according to the Muhammadan law; but when some of the nobles, natives of this country and of Túrán, overcome by their evil passions, and merely through envy and malice, put that well-wisher of the creatures of God to death, to the great mortification of poor people and all good subjects, the Emperor became master of his own will, and, actuated by his youthful passions and folly and pride, resigned himself to frivo­lous pursuits and the company of wicked and mean characters. This created a spirit of opposition and enmity towards him in those very nobles who, from their malicious disposition, had been the instruments of the death of Husain 'Alí Khán. The Emperor, on account of the rebellion of the nobles, the fear of his own life, and the temptations of his evil passions, shut up the gate of justice and gave no ear to complaints. As the splendour and delight of the garden of this world, and the ver­dure and fruitfulness of the fields of this earth, depend upon the flow of the stream of the equity and justice of Kings, so the withering of the trees of this world is caused by the hot winds of the negligence and carelessness of rulers and dissensions among well-disposed nobles.

In a short time, many of the officers of this kingdom put out their feet from the path of obedience to the sovereign, and many of the infidels, rebels, tyrants and enemies stretched out the hands of rapacity and extortion upon the weaker tributaries and the poor subjects. Great disorders arose in the country, which shall be briefly related, according to each year of the reign, if God please.

FIFTH YEAR OF THE REIGN.

At the end of this year, Sharfu-d daula Irádatmand Khán, with a body of nobles, was sent against Rája Ajít Singh, who, having broken out into open mutiny, and taken possession of Ajmír and Sámbhar, had reached as far as Nárnaul. He was accompanied by Rája Jai Singh Sawáí, Muhammad Khán Ban-gash, and Gopál Singh, Rája of Bhadáwar, at the head of an army of about one hundred thousand horse and more than two hundred elephants. Rája Ajít Singh, on hearing the news, lost all courage, fled from Nárnaul, and took refuge in the fort of Garh-pattí. Here he held out for some time, and at last, mounting a camel, went off to Jodhpúr. He then sued for peace, and made over his son, Dhankal Singh, to the nobles to carry to Court. In the mean time, Ajít Singh was slain by his younger son, Bakht Singh, and Dhankal Singh, upon reaching the Court, obtained the inves­titure of the chiefship. He returned to his country, and became its ruler. His brother, Bakht Singh, besieged the fort of Nágor, and having driven out the Rája of that place, became himself master of it. In the same year Rája Jai Singh founded a magnificent new city between the towns of Amber and Sangánír, and called it Jaipúr, after the name of Sawáí Jai Singh.

SIXTH YEAR OF THE REIGN.

Nizámu-l Mulk, being disgusted with the Emperor, went towards Murádábád and Sambhal, under the pretence of hunting. When he had gone as far as the Ganges, near the town of Garh Muktesar, he at once turned aside from his course, and pro­ceeding viâ Kol and Jalesar, crossed the Chambal and went towards the Dakhin. The Emperor, on hearing of this, sent orders to Mubáriz Khán, appointing him governor of that province, and instigating him to destroy Nizámu-l Mulk. Mubárizu-l Mulk, in consideration of the obligations he owed, went from Haidarábád towards Aurangábád. Nizámu-l Mulk sued for peace, but Mubáriz Khán was destined for the honour of martyrdom, so he did not listen to his advances, and rashly engaged in fight. The brave warriors, having boldly fought, put many insurgents to the sword. By chance, Mubárizu-l Mulk was slain, and Nizámu-l Mulk, in perfect security, obtained the governorship of the Dakhin. Muhammad Sháh, on being informed of this, was obliged to confer the post of minister, which was vacated by Nizámu-l Mulk, on I'timádu-d daula Kamru-d dín Khán, and sent a farmán to Nizámu-l Mulk, appointing him governor of the Dakhin, and bestowing on him the rank of vicegerency and the title of Ásaf Jáh.