As the crooked mind of Nizámu-l Mulk was bent towards such things as were contrary to what his name imports, viz. adminis­tration, he allowed disturbances to break out in the country, and with his eyes open suffered for one or two days grain to be sold in his camp one sír for a rupee. On account of the tumults and quarrels raised by him, many people were hastened to their graves with the stroke of starvation, and many Musulmáns, by the tricks of that unprincipled man, fell into the hands of the enemy, and met with their destruction. At last, on being in­formed of this, Muhammad Sháh sent orders appointing Bájí Ráo to the governorship of Málwá. Nizámu-l Mulk, reproached by the people, and deceived by the enemy, returned to the capital. The Mahrattas laid siege to the fort of Kota; and the Maháráo Rája fled away in alarm, and took refuge in Gágrún, which is one of the strongest forts in that part of the country. The inhabitants of Kota, to preserve their honour, opposed the ravagers and saved the city. At last peace was declared, and the invader, having taken a contribution of several lacs of rupees, went towards Ahírwárá, the country of the tribe of Ahírs. He overran this district, and besieged the fort of Korwáí, near the town of Sironj, which was the residence of 'Izzat Khán, son of Diler Khán Afghán. 'Izzat Khán fought very bravely for two months, when peace was made. During the siege of Korwáí, the com­piler of this work went to the enemy's camp. On seeing the fort encircled like the stone of a ring by the army which re­sembled swarms of ants and locusts, the safety of those who were in it appeared impossible; but the result deceived expec­tation.

When Nizámu-l Mulk, with all the pomp and circumstance attaching to his high station, accompanied the Mahrattas against the fort of Bhopál, Yár Muhammad Khán, ruler of the place, who was celebrated for his courage, by dint of great bravery and determination, expelled Nizámu-l Mulk out of his possessions without sustaining any injury from the insurgents. Many nobles and other respectable people, on account of the ravage and deso­lation committed in the Emperor's dominions by the enemy, found protection in this territory, and lived in peace and tran­quillity under the Khán's just rule.

The compiler of this book, on hearing the praises of the Khán, left the enemy's camp at Sironj, and came to the city of Bhopál, which is full of nobles and excellent people from all parts of the country. In fact, from the day he had left Sháh-Jahánábád, and travelled through the country of idolatry, it was here only that he found Islám to be predominant.

It is said that Bhopál was founded in the time of Rája Bhoj. Afterwards by some accident it was ruined and reduced to only a small village on the borders of the lake, which in length and depth is the greatest of all the lakes in this country. When, by a lucky accident, Dost Muhammad Khán, son of Núr Mu­hammad Khán Afghán, of the tribe of Warakzaí Mírzái Khaíl,* came from Roh to the country of Hindústán, he met at Jalálábád his relatives, who were the descendants of the same ancestors. When Almighty God wishes to raise one of his creatures to some great rank in this world or the next, He first throws him into difficulties and troubles, and after that exalts his dignity in order that he may estimate its true merits. And so it happened that a misunderstanding arose between the brothers, and that Khán of noble disposition, alone, and without any means of sub­sistence, left Jalálábád, and went to the province of Málwá. By his judicious plans and great exertions, he took possession of several parts of this province, and at a most auspicious moment, in the fifth year of Muhammad Sháh's reign, corresponding to A.H. 1135 (1723 A.D.), laid the foundation of the city of Bhopál. Under his just rule the lion and goat drank water at the same pool. He was so generous that even Hátim would envy him. A great number of saints always dined with him.

When the fame of his virtues reached the ear of the ministers of the Emperor's court, he was favoured by His Majesty, through Saiyid Husain 'Alí Khán, with a mansab, túmán, togh, kettle­drums, naubat, as well as a title. But he died.

After this event the eldest son of the noble Khán, who was with Nizámu-l Mulk in the province of the Dakhin, arrived in this territory, and at a most auspicious time sat upon the masnad, administered justice, subjugated a great number of the refractory chiefs, and by his wise measures the country from the banks of the Nerbadda to the vicinity of the town of Sironj, was brought under his power. Notwithstanding that the enemy, having gained great dominion, infested the country from Sattárá-garh to the suburbs of Dehlí, yet under the good management of this equitable chief the people of his territory were perfectly secure from the ravages of the tyrants. For his surpassing courage and wise administration of the country he received great favours from the throne, and was honoured with the rank of 5000 personal and 5000 horse, together with the insignia of Máhí and Marátib.

TWENTY-FIRST YEAR OF THE REIGN.

As above stated, contention, disaffection, and discord broke out among the nobles, and the report of the enemy's success was noised abroad. The cursed infidels, encouraged by the misrule and carelessness of the sovereign, particularly by the hostility and revolt of the very ministers of the throne, had become predominant throughout all the country. Thus incited, the Emperor of Írán, by name Nádir Sháh, who, having acquired entire power over that country, had reached up to Balkh and Kandahár, now marched in this direction, with the design of conquering Hindústán, and, as some say, at the suggestion of Nizámu-l Mulk and Sa'ádat Khán. It was suddenly reported to the Emperor that Nádir Sháh, having invaded Kábul, and obliged Násir Khán, the governor of the province, to join him, had crossed the Attock and reached Láhore. The Governor of this city also, after a slight show of resistance, had gone over to him. Notwithstanding all this, the careless Emperor and the ungrateful nobles, having covered their faces with the veil of gross negligence, were awaiting the approaching misfortune. After the invader had marched past Láhore, the Emperor of Hindústán was compelled to fit out an army. All this delay, which occasioned the subsequent disasters, arose from the Em­peror's not confiding in the counsel of any of his ministers. Whatever plan was suggested by the Khán-daurán was opposed by Nizámu-l Mulk, and vice versâ.

According to the statement of Mír Fakhru-d dín, the Emperor of this country, having prepared for war with two hundred thousand horse, foot soldiers without number, fifteen hundred elephants, and many field-pieces and other guns, left Dehlí with the intention of expelling the Emperor of Írán. The army of Hindústán, owing to its immense numbers, which amounted to ten hundred thousand, both horse and foot, could scarcely find space to encamp on. Towards the end of the month of Zí-l ka'da, the army encamped near the town of Karnál, and, as some say, according to the advice of Nizámu-l Mulk, was placed all round in the shape of a ring. Notwithstanding this, the soldiers of Írán made attacks from all sides upon the Indians, and carried off corn, grass, and wood, which are essentially necessary for the maintenance of man. Hence the price of grain was enormously high in the camp. Burhánu-l Mulk, one morning, at the be­ginning of Zí-l hijja, entered the camp to pay his respects to the Emperor. He had scarcely arrived, when it was reported that twenty thousand horse of Nádir Sháh's army had plundered all his camp, equipage, and baggage. Burhánu-l Mulk instantly took his leave, beat the drums of battle, and went after the plunderers. It is said that the whole army of Nádir Sháh amounted to fifty-five thousand fighting horsemen, skilful in the art of war and murder, while others make it amount to three hundred thousand horse.